YearToAvoid

2019 Chevrolet Trax Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

82/100

#3 most-complained of 12 Trax years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

NHTSA lists 134 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Trax, giving it a Complaint Index of 82, the 3rd worst among 12 model years. Engine issues lead complaints at 32%, with a median failure mileage of 50,500 miles.

Complaints
134
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
9 / 2
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
25 city / 30 hwy

Top 2019 Chevy Trax problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine43 (32%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (19%)
  3. Electrical System25 (19%)
  4. Other24 (18%)
  5. Brakes16 (12%)
  6. Steering15 (11%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain11 (8%)
  8. Fuel System8 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body7 (5%)
  10. Airbags4 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the front lower control arm breaking or failing, in one case while driving, leading to a loss of control.
  • Some drivers describe brake pedals failing to slow the car despite full pressure, resulting in rear-end or front-end crashes.
  • Owners report engines suddenly smoking and catching fire without warning lights, even with no prior indication of a problem.
  • Several owners describe power steering cutting out at highway speed, sometimes preceded by a check battery light and flashing instrument panel.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed collisions, and in one case an airbag deployed with a burning sensation and skin blistering on the driver's arm.
2019 Chevrolet Trax complaints: complaints filed per quarter212018 Q42019 Q42021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
184 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (21).

2019 Chevrolet Trax recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V312000Apr 18, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires112,958 vehicles

    Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V774000Nov 1, 2018Airbags12 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

2019 Chevrolet Trax fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Trax years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018201920202021202220242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Caution64113327.5
2018Good36101227.5
2019Avoid82134227
2020Caution7394027
2021Good2724026.5

All Chevrolet Trax years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Trax ranks 3rd worst out of 12 model years with a Complaint Index of 82 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Trax years.
What problems does the 2019 Chevrolet Trax have?
NHTSA data shows 134 complaints, led by the engine (32% share, median failure at 50,500 miles), followed by suspension/wheels/tires (19%) and electrical system issues (19%).
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Trax have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for an improperly welded front lower-control arm joint and one for an airbag Sensing Diagnostic Module left in manufacturing mode. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2019 Trax compare to other years?
The 2019 Trax has a Complaint Index of 82, worse than 2018 (36, Good) and 2016 (45, Good), but better than 2024 (100, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Chevrolet Trax?
EPA rates the 2019 Trax at 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.