Turbo failed
2018 Chevrolet Trax
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 94.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trax years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
39 reports with mileage · 62 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
29 reportsThe diver side fuse box started a fire in the vehicle. The tracking control system light was flashing on and the vehicle lost power. Filed claim with insurance company. Insurance company issued a total loss and took possession of the vehicle.
Both my control arms are loose and wheel baring is bad, plus a cracked catalytic converter. All of these are causing my car to be loud and burning smell, causing unsafe driving conditions for me and my children. Online states that the control arms are an issue with this vehicle make and model and have been recalled, however my V…
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Both my control arms are loose and wheel baring is bad, plus a cracked catalytic converter. All of these are causing my car to be loud and burning smell, causing unsafe driving conditions for me and my children. Online states that the control arms are an issue with this vehicle make and model and have been recalled, however my VIN has not been recalled and I want to report this. improperly welded joints can fatigue and break, causing the lower control arm to partially separate from the vehicle. This can lead to a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. I have not gotten in an accident, but was at risk of this happening. My car is being worked on and it will cost me $800 for these repairs for the issues related to the 2018 Chevy traxs. I would like this VIN to be recalled and receive a refund for the work done to my vehicle.
My check engine light came on, I took my vehicle to Ken Ganley Chevrolet because that is where I purchased it. They claim they have no record I bought it there and at first refused service. I provided my loan documents that state I purchased it. Tim was in the service department, I brought the car in and he had it looked at. He …
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My check engine light came on, I took my vehicle to Ken Ganley Chevrolet because that is where I purchased it. They claim they have no record I bought it there and at first refused service. I provided my loan documents that state I purchased it. Tim was in the service department, I brought the car in and he had it looked at. He said the issue is the turbocharger, which is a known issue with this year/make/model that GM knows about. The repair was under warranty, completed and the car returned to me. Less than 2 weeks later the check engine light came on and the diagnostic gave the same error. I took it back to the dealership and I got 3 different answers. One person told me it was an exhaust issue that was causing the turbo to overheat (the car is kicking out excessive amounts of carbon monoxide), the second person told me there was no issue and they weren't sure why the check engine light went off, the third person said it seemed like the exhaust and the overheating was a safety issue and it shouldn't be driven. They ultimately refused the repair and said bring it back if it gets worse. I called GM corporate to report the dealership and ask for an actual repair. They told me to take it to another dealership to be looked at. Multiple other dealerships have refused because the case is open with the original dealership. That Ken Ganley Chevrolet dealer is refusing to acknowledge a repair is needed. The car is continuing to kick out excessive carbon monoxide and smells like burning when driving. The engine chugs and doesn't get up to full speed. I requested goodwill reimbursement for part of the car from GM for failure to service and an unsafe vehicle and they have offered no solution because other dealers won't give a second opinion. The car is not safe to drive and is not being repaired.
The oil cooler/oil housing leaks oil on every single one of these vehicles, spanning many years, due to its plastic housing, mounted up against a hot engine. The cost of repair is between $2000-3000 at a dealership.
Car smoking under the hood not even a month after getting repairs done to it for the same issue of coolant loss. Replaced engine oil cooler, coolant housing, and turbo. Car started smoking again less than a month later and mechanic baffled at what it may be this time for there is no warning lights illuminated to point to the pro…
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Car smoking under the hood not even a month after getting repairs done to it for the same issue of coolant loss. Replaced engine oil cooler, coolant housing, and turbo. Car started smoking again less than a month later and mechanic baffled at what it may be this time for there is no warning lights illuminated to point to the problem. The vehicle has had its regular maintenance on time.
2018 chevy trax turbo messing up loss of power and making noise
Engine oil cooler leaking with no dash lights causing burning plastic fumes only when sitting at an idle to enter car cabin causing passengers to feel unwell at times. With no warning lights for specific leaks or overheating warnings caused high repair bills at the shop. Also, probably causing engines to malfunction earlier than…
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Engine oil cooler leaking with no dash lights causing burning plastic fumes only when sitting at an idle to enter car cabin causing passengers to feel unwell at times. With no warning lights for specific leaks or overheating warnings caused high repair bills at the shop. Also, probably causing engines to malfunction earlier than normal since the only sign is the smell of something burning when at an idle and no other warning signs that would be cause of concern to a mechanic or owner. This would only happen if the recirculating outdoor air.
Car filled with smoke and smell. Needed to replace the blower motor l, resistor, and pig tail or it would have killed my child.
Chevrolet had a recall (N232395330) for 2018 Trax models due to a problem with the turbocharger. For whatever reason, Chevrolet did not include all 2018 Trax models, and omitted ours. The turbocharger on ours failed, causing an oil problem and substantial damage to the engine (and, possibly, other parts), with an estimated $12…
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Chevrolet had a recall (N232395330) for 2018 Trax models due to a problem with the turbocharger. For whatever reason, Chevrolet did not include all 2018 Trax models, and omitted ours. The turbocharger on ours failed, causing an oil problem and substantial damage to the engine (and, possibly, other parts), with an estimated $12,500 cost to repair. We have tried to work with both Chevrolet (case number X-XXX) and a local dealership (Tim Lally Chevrolet in Warrensville Heights, Ohio). Both are denying any liability for the problem. However, if Chevrolet had properly included all 2018 Trax models, and provided us with knowledge of the problem with the turbocharger, it would have been repaired without the substantial damage caused by Chevrolet's under reporting of the affected vehicles. The day of the problem, the Trax lost most power and did not indicate any oil issue. How does one get Chevrolet held responsible for the damage done because they under reported the affected vehicles? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Official recalls
219V652000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Sep 12, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
19V312000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Apr 18, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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