The Most Common 2016 Chevrolet Trax Problems

From airbags not deploying to the lower control arm potentially separating from the vehicle, the Chevrolet Trax is far from reliable.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2016 Chevrolet Trax has had dozens of complaints, the most notable being engine failure issues, the sensors failing to activate, and airbags not deploying. 
Subcompact SUVs are an excellent pick for those who want the SUV look without the heft, but does the Chevrolet Trax qualify? Barely. On the surface, the Trax is a worthy entry into the crossover segment, with its 29 mpg combined fuel economy, 138 horsepower, and roomy cabin for passengers and cargo. In practice, a jaw-dropping 83 complaints have been filed for the Trax.
Here to take a closer look at the most common problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax is
Jerry
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Chevrolet Trax insurance cost
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The most common 2016 Chevrolet Trax problems

From engine and electrical problems to airbag deployment issues, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (
NHTSA
) has received a total of 83 complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. There seem to be no signs of stopping either—the most recent complaint is from September 29, 2022, six years after its release!
The most crucial of the complaints are about the engine’s turbocharger, which increases a vehicle’s performance and efficiency. A handful of drivers have complained about the Trax’s turbocharger getting stuck and failing to reach high speeds—a hazard for
highway driving
where speed limits are increased.
Many drivers have also experienced a complete loss of power, notably when driving uphill or driving in the cold. So far, there have been no experiences of the Trax completely shutting down on a highway or freeway, but it is certainly a possibility.
In addition, five recalls from 2016 to 2019 have been issued for the 2016 Trax. Here are the details:
  • 1 recall for the lower control arm. Models from 2015-2018 have been recalled for having improperly welded front control arms. This can result in the front wheel jutting out, impacting handling and increasing the chances of an accident.
  • 2 recalls for front airbags not deploying. Due to a missing software update, certain models would activate a diagnostic test that would disable the frontal airbags from deploying.
  • 1 recall for no warning chime. The warning chime for unworn seatbelts would not activate, thus increasing the risk of injury during an accident.
  • 1 recall for no key left in the ignition warning chime. Leaving the key in the ignition would not activate a warning chime, therefore increasing security risk and theft.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reliable?

Not really. While it’s clear that the Trax has a slew of problems, experts and drivers have mixed feelings about this subcompact’s reliability.
Based on thousands of car owner reviews, J.D. Power, the consumer research firm, gives the 2016 Chevrolet Trax a 79/100 quality and reliability score and ranks it #4 in the small SUV category. Compare that to the 2016
Kia Sportage
, which gets an 84/100, but has a total of
90 complaints filed with the NHTSA
—in short, you can’t rely on ratings alone.
Meanwhile, the car repair expert website, RepairPal, gives the Trax a 4/5 reliability rating but ranks it 6th out of 7 subcompact SUVs. With a second-to-last ranking, it seems that you’ll be better off with any other subcompact SUV. But, if you do stick with your Chevrolet Trax, you’re in luck—your car repair costs are $488/year, which is average. You’ll just need to make sure you stay on top of your
car maintenance schedule
to avoid the big problems!

How to simplify car insurance shopping (and still optimize coverage!) 

With an unpredictable car like the Trax, repairs could be more frequent. That’s why protecting yourself on the car insurance front is a must. However, with so many companies to choose from, it’s hard to know where to find an affordable
Chevrolet insurance cost
. That’s where
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