The 2016 Trax pairs GM's 1.4L turbo Ecotec with a 6-speed automatic that's proven troublesome. Early engine failures and cooling system defects plague this platform, with some catastrophic issues appearing well before 100k miles.
Symptoms: Loud knocking or ticking from engine block, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden loss of power or complete engine seizure, Oil consumption between changes (1+ quart per 1,000 mi)
Fix: Complete engine replacement or full rebuild required. Pistons, rings, bearings, and sometimes crankshaft machining needed. 16-22 labor hours for short block swap, 25-35 hours for complete teardown rebuild. Often stems from defective piston rings causing oil consumption and lubrication starvation.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak near radiator area, Pink or red fluid pooling under vehicle, Transmission overheating warnings, Harsh shifting or slipping after fluid loss
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at fittings and rupture. Replace both cooler lines and flush system. If driven after leak starts, transmission damage likely. 3-4 hours labor including fluid replacement and system flush.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start that fades when warm, Loss of boost pressure and acceleration, Check engine light with underboost codes (P0299), Excessive oil consumption from turbo seal failure
Fix: Wastegate actuator rod wears and rattles, eventually the turbo seals fail. Full turbocharger replacement needed. 6-8 hours labor due to tight engine bay access and coolant line removal.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Transmission Control Module Software Faults
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts between gears, Transmission won't shift out of lower gears, Check engine light with TCM communication codes, Transmission goes into limp mode randomly
Fix: TCM software bugs cause erratic shifting behavior. Dealer reflash required first (1 hour), but many need full TCM replacement when module fails. GM issued recall for some related software issues, check VIN eligibility.
Estimated cost: $150-1,200
Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front end, Loose or wandering steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Front end vibration at highway speeds
Fix: Factory ball joints fail early, GM issued recall 15V-568 for 2013-2016 models. Both lower control arms must be replaced as ball joints aren't serviceable separately. 2.5-3.5 hours labor for both sides plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100
Coolant Thermostat Housing Leak
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from front of engine, Sweet smell from engine bay, Engine runs cooler than normal or overheats intermittently, Low coolant warning light
Fix: Plastic thermostat housing cracks at seams. Replace entire housing assembly with updated metal version, not plastic. 2-3 hours labor including coolant drain and refill.
Estimated cost: $400-650
PCV System Clogging and Oil Consumption
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,500-2,000 mi), Rough idle or misfires, Oil leaks from valve cover or rear main seal area, Increased crankcase pressure causing gasket leaks
Fix: PCV valve and intake manifold passages clog with carbon deposits, increasing crankcase pressure. Clean intake manifold, replace PCV valve and hoses, check valve cover diaphragm. Preventive cleaning every 40k miles recommended. 3-4 hours labor for thorough cleaning.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum with full synthetic—the turbo and direct injection system are hard on oil
Check transmission fluid level and condition every 30k miles; factory fill is often inadequate and cooler line leaks are common
Monitor oil consumption religiously; adding oil between changes may prevent catastrophic engine failure
Have PCV system inspected and cleaned at 40k and 80k miles to prevent oil consumption and carbon buildup
Verify all recalls completed, especially ball joint recall 15V-568 and TCM software updates
Hard pass unless under 50k miles with meticulous maintenance records and completed recalls—too many expensive engine and transmission failures for a subcompact SUV.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Battery located in engine compartment; H6 group may also fit some trims
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Every control module on the 2015-2017 Chevrolet Trax — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Behind left headlamp assembly in engine compartment
🔧 Autel or GM MDI
⚠️ Configuration may be required for DRL and auto-on features
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rno codingwith rear vision camera
📍 Integrated with rear liftgate handle camera assembly
⚠️ Plug-and-play; no programming required
Tire Pressure Monitor Control Module (TPMS)relearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated within BCM
🔧 TPMS relearn tool or GM MDI
⚠️ Sensor ID relearn required after tire rotation or sensor replacement; no separate module
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 17V437000
2017-07-10
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 16V651000
2016-09-08
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 16V422000
2016-06-10
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. · 16V257000
2016-04-28
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax 1.4L I4 Turbo Ecotec and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.