YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Trax Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 Trax years

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

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax has 94 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 4th worst among 12 model years and earning a Caution verdict. No recalls are on file, but Engine and Electrical System complaints dominate, at 27 and 26 complaints respectively.

Complaints
94
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
5 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
25 city / 30 hwy

Top 2020 Chevy Trax problems

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

  1. Engine27 (29%)
  2. Electrical System26 (28%)
  3. Other18 (19%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (16%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain15 (16%)
  6. Brakes12 (13%)
  7. Fuel System11 (12%)
  8. Airbags6 (6%)
  9. Seat Belts5 (5%)
  10. Steering4 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or head-on crashes despite significant impact force.
  • Smoke enters the cabin through the vents and the vehicle loses motive power, sometimes with the check engine light on.
  • The steering wheel can independently turn and seize, making the vehicle uncontrollable.
  • The transmission shifts from drive to neutral unexpectedly or shudders and slips gears without warning lights.
  • The occupant detection system fails to correctly sense a passenger in the front seat.
  • An electrical fault causes the radio screen to black out and unexplained noise from a door.
2020 Chevrolet Trax complaints: complaints filed per quarter142020 Q12021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
148 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q3 (14).

2020 Chevrolet Trax recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 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.

2020 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
2018Good36101227.5
2019Avoid82134227
2020Caution7394027
2021Good2724026.5
2022Best189026.5

All Chevrolet Trax years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
NHTSA lists 94 complaints for the 2020 Trax with a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 4th worst of 12 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Trax years.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Trax have any recalls?
No. NHTSA shows 0 recalls filed for the 2020 Chevrolet Trax.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, accounting for 27 complaints (29% share), with a median failure mileage of 34,000 miles. Electrical System issues follow closely with 26 complaints.
How does the 2020 Trax compare to other years?
The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2016 (45), 2018 (36), 2021 (27), and 2022 (18), but better than 2019 (82), 2024 (100), and 2025 (91).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Trax get?
EPA rates the 2020 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.