2026 Chevrolet Trax Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes621.4%
- Airbags414.3%
- Driver assistance414.3%
- Fuel system310.7%
- Exterior lighting27.1%
- Engine27.1%
- Seat belts27.1%
- Steering27.1%
- Electrical13.6%
- Interior & seats13.6%
- Powertrain (other)13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed with excessive force; however, the vehicle failed to respond and stop as needed. There were fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.
On two separate occasions while driving with adaptive cruise control engaged the vehicle braked heavily. In one instance the vehicle rapidly braked from 70 to 40 mph before the accelerator could be depressed to resume driver control. Latest occurrence was on 9/8/2026.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
On September 5, 2026, the airbags in my 2026 Chevrolet Trax unexpectedly deployed while I was driving. I did not hit another vehicle or object, and I was not aware of any collision that would have caused the airbags to deploy. This was extremely concerning because my vehicle was relatively new, and I did not understand why the airbag system activated. I took my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership to have the situation evaluated. The dealership informed me that the incident was not caused by a malfunction or recall, but I have not received a clear explanation of what specifically triggered the airbags. I was also told that I may have been driving too fast, but no clear technical explanation was provided to support that conclusion. I contacted General Motors Customer Assistance to request an explanation and assistance with the repairs. GM informed me that it would not cover the repairs, but I still do not understand what caused the airbags to deploy. The dealership has estimated the repair cost at approximately $8,300. I am concerned that an airbag system malfunction or another safety-related issue may have caused the airbags to deploy without a collision. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed to determine whether there may be a defect involving the airbag system, rollover sensors, restraint system, or related vehicle components. I would like this incident documented and investigated to determine what caused the unexpected deployment and whether other owners of similar vehicles may be at risk. I can provide the vehicle identification number (VIN), dealership documentation, diagnostic findings, repair estimate, and correspondence with General Motors upon request.
Was parking into a handicap space and all of a sudden the car accelerated by itself
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed with excessive force; however, the vehicle failed to respond and stop as needed. There were fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.
On two separate occasions while driving with adaptive cruise control engaged the vehicle braked heavily. In one instance the vehicle rapidly braked from 70 to 40 mph before the accelerator could be depressed to resume driver control. Latest occurrence was on 9/8/2026.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rough field delivery or air intake system, or software issue, heavy shuddering while at incline/decline, parked and reoccurring everyday. Also occurred while driving through windy hills (felt very unsafe to drive at this time). Yes this issue has been reproduced at the dealership and they are stating this is a “normal” problem. There was no lamps or warning prior to this happening.
emission warning light and verified by on star diagnostic. Carried to Rick Hendricksn Gm dealer in Buford Ga. for a 7 day diagnostic and repair. I also could smell gasoline when the car was running and smell gasoline inside my garage when the car was parked..very strong odor. Dealership found it was a EVAP system leak. removed and replaced the filler neck . My vehicle had 650 miles on it when I started getting warning notices that would come and go.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Poor nighttime driving vision, headlights are poor it's like being in a tunnel, road is lighted but then there is a dark spot that you can't see anything ahead of vehicle halfway up windshield. This makes driving at night very scary, and unsafe. I can't belive that we have a 30k vehicle for only daytime use i have picture of what it's like. This was our first time driving it at night since we bought the car.
This happened the first night that I drove this brand new vehicle since owning it. While driving at night, there is what I would describe as a "Hard line" of headlight illumination on the roadway in front of the vehicle. I would describe the "hard line" as being illuminated toward the bottom and at a certain point further up, the light suddenly stops and is just a black void, creating a black line. While driving up and down roadways that have hills, there is a definitive line that the headlights do not shine on the roadway in front of the vehicle. The area ahead of this hard line is pitch black and is sometimes no more than 75 feet in front of the vehicle. This happens mainly while traveling down hills, near the bottom. As the car goes through the bottom of the hill, the area illuminated in front of the car can be even less than 75 feet. At this point the roadway beyond in front of the car is totally black. I wouldn't see this as a huge concern while driving in the city if there are street lights, but in rural areas, which is where I drive, I found this to be a major safety issue. Using the bright lights to help with illumination wasn't always an option when there was oncoming traffic or traffic directly in front of my vehicle. At times I had to slow down at the bottom of hills from the posted 60 MPH speed limit to less than 30 MPH because I couldn't see anything that may have been in the roadway in front of me.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Three months ago, in July, I bought a new 2026 Chevy Trax. I have heard good and bad things about the wet oil belt the car have. Have you received many complaints about it? This belt system have been on since 2020 or 2021. It has to do with the oil pump and the timing. Should I be concerned about it? Thanks for your advise.
I was driving 70MPH down the highway, electronics blacked out, when they finally came back, the check engine light came on. Got to dealership, had 18 codes, engine, transmission, and electronics issues. Car is two weeks old with 498 miles on it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
In the last three weeks, I have received a warning that Service Safety Restraint System: Your airbags or seat belt may not work properly during a crash. Schedule service soon.
I was driving at about 10 mph in a suburban Buffalo retail parking lot when I was T-boned by a driver coming at me perpendicular at a much higher rate of speed who hit me squarely on the driver's side front and rear door. Airbags did not deploy. Yes, my safety was put at risk. I was injured. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealer or anyone else. Noone has inspected the vehicle yet. There were no warning signs prior to the accident.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the messages “Service Stabili-track” and “Steering Assist Reduced” were displayed. The vehicle was difficult to control while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side wheel speed sensor was not properly secured in the hub. The vehicle was test-driven for six miles. The dealer properly secured the wheel speed sensor inside the hub. The bolt was replaced and repaired. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 32.
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Brake System Failure" was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle, waited for a while, and then restarted the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the message "Steering System Not Engaged" was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that 3 diagnostic codes were retrieved, indicating a braking system and steering failure. However, the third failure was not provided. The dealer stated that a software update might be needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. A case was opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving 70MPH down the highway, electronics blacked out, when they finally came back, the check engine light came on. Got to dealership, had 18 codes, engine, transmission, and electronics issues. Car is two weeks old with 498 miles on it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood independently unlatched and opened. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side fenders were damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving 70MPH down the highway, electronics blacked out, when they finally came back, the check engine light came on. Got to dealership, had 18 codes, engine, transmission, and electronics issues. Car is two weeks old with 498 miles on it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .