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2021 Chevrolet Trax

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax are lower than the model-year median of 94.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 8 of 24 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

24 reports
90,000 miles · Aug 20, 2026
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and then driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently went blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mil…

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The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and then driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently went blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11758259

101,000 miles · Jul 10, 2026
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. While the contact's spouse was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. While the driver was attempting to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle crashed into a barbed wire fence. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached…

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The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. While the contact's spouse was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. While the driver was attempting to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle crashed into a barbed wire fence. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The driver was transported to the local medical center. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and the middle of the back and burns on the left side of the neck from the seat belt. A Police report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #11749612

115,000 miles · Jun 2, 2026
Visibility

The contact owns Ac condenser became inoperable cluster Mask (ICM). The dealer diagnosed with a failed internal cluster mask. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11741550

35,000 miles · Apr 8, 2026
Structure

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the driver's side roof rack exterior trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the dealer informed the contact that th…

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The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the driver's side roof rack exterior trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer would partially cover the cost of the repair. The contact declined to pay a fee because the contact believed that the failure was a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11729901

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2026
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainCrash

The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my daughter and I” off the highway into the dirt, on 2 different occasions…

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The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my daughter and I” off the highway into the dirt, on 2 different occasions. They are described as “catastrophic engine failures”. The last one occurred on MLK Jr Day 2026, before the vehicle was permanently grounded. It could have been fatal. GM is doing a formal investigation to see what liability the have for it because the vehicle is now considered a “lemon”. There were no external (dashboard) warnings before the events, but, there may have been internal ones that require a professional grade scanner to detect. The permanent Ucode, which causes a communication blackout, never appeared in the vehicles memory, on a scanner, until AFTER the local GM franchise conducted “repairs” (unsuccessfully) to fix the vehicle. (It wouldnt start, which is often a symptom of a Permanent UCode. The GM investigation will determine if the dealership knew the safety liability, (the permanent Ucode) and they tried bypassing or ignoring it, or, if they CAUSED the safety defect. Also, the vehicle is now showing a Permanent PCode, which means it is now a potential fire hazard.

NHTSA ODI #11725693

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing but a recall was not issued. On 1/22/26 the vehicle su…

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The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing but a recall was not issued. On 1/22/26 the vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" while driving. The Throttle Body Injection Unit, Engine Coolant Water Outlet, and Coolant were replaced. The coolant had been topped off on 1/20/26. On 1/27/26 the vehicle began shuddering and lost power while I was driving on the highway. As I attempted to get to a gas station off of the next exit, it intermittently lost power and began smoking under the hood. It seemed to be overheating but there is no temperature gauge on the display. I had it towed to my service center again. At that time, four spark plugs and an ignition coil were replaced. After these repairs, I have continued to have significant power issues, the engine warning light has come back on, and the "Service Brake Assist" warning light has come on. Additionally, the instrument panel frequently goes blank or displays what can best be described as "static" and the A/C and heat do not work, making it difficult to defrost and defog the windshield. The wiper fluid will not come out even though the reservoir is full. Due to prohibitive diagnostic fees at the dealership, which I was told would not be waived or reimbursed, I have continued to utilize my independent service center to maintain basic drivability. My service center has advised me that the engine may fail completely within a short time frame. I have reported these issues to the manufacturer and have been assigned a case number. I'm concerned that this may indicate a potential safety defect and/or premature engine failure affecting my vehicle and others of the same model. I'm submitting this complaint for documentation and safety tacking.

NHTSA ODI #11717127

68,000 miles · Jan 26, 2026
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and continued driving forward. While driving at 50 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The engine and stabili-trak illuminated after the vehicle came to a complete stop. The local dealer was contacted regarding loaner vehicles on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scanned, and DTC: TCM U0101 and P0700 were retrieved. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the local dealer and the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11713436

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2025
Engine

Check engine light keeps coming on. Crankshaft sensor is the problem according to the code but the dealership says it’s the catalyst converter. Also my low power engine light came on.

NHTSA ODI #11688675

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2025
Electrical SystemLane Departure

At roughly 20,000 miles, my cars' carplay connection begain to intermittently disconnect. Never could get it to reproduce the same results when at the dealership. At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go black and then come back after a few seconds. Now at 92,xxx miles (don't k…

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At roughly 20,000 miles, my cars' carplay connection begain to intermittently disconnect. Never could get it to reproduce the same results when at the dealership. At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go black and then come back after a few seconds. Now at 92,xxx miles (don't know how many miles because it's black right now) its off more than its on. I can't get access to important vehicle information including digital speedometer, milage, tire pressure, oil life span, miles left until my gas tank is empty, and more. This makes it impossible to adhere to an oil change done at proper intervals, knowing my exact speed when driving, or if I'm about to run out of gas. And i cant see my tire pressure if it fluctuates before the tire pressure sensor goes off, possibly preventing me from getting to safety BEFORE i have a flat tire. GM has a recall for the screens on the newer 2024 and 2025 Trax, but this has been an issue in the Chevy Trax since around 2016. Also while driving in rain or wet conditions, the side detection shuts off and the screen will say "Side Detection System Unavailable" and no longer works. I have not been able to take my car to the dealership because they want too keep it and I don't have another way to get to work or get groceries. This car is my lifeline.

NHTSA ODI #11675210

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

UNKNOWN I’ve had my car for 11 months. When I first got the car I got it fully inspected and there were minor issues like tires and brakes. However, now the ac compressor is completely damaged and there may be contamination in my lines. This is not an owner issue. I take really good care of my car. I just don’t know how this co…

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UNKNOWN I’ve had my car for 11 months. When I first got the car I got it fully inspected and there were minor issues like tires and brakes. However, now the ac compressor is completely damaged and there may be contamination in my lines. This is not an owner issue. I take really good care of my car. I just don’t know how this could’ve happened if this wasn’t a manufacturer related issue.

NHTSA ODI #11669633

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.