The 2019 Trax with its 1.4L turbo Ecotec is a budget subcompact crossover that suffers from serious engine longevity issues and transmission cooling problems—both can lead to catastrophic failure if neglected. Not the most reliable platform GM has produced.
1.4L Turbo Ecotec Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston Ring Land Collapse)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart every 1,000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Loss of power and misfires, Check engine light with low compression codes, Knocking or ticking noises from crankcase
Fix: This engine has a known defect where piston ring lands crack, leading to oil burning and eventual catastrophic failure. Fix requires complete short block replacement or engine rebuild with updated pistons. Typically 16-22 labor hours for short block swap in-chassis.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, Overheating transmission, Check engine light with transmission temp codes, Loss of drive or limp mode
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant to mix with ATF. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush (often multiple times), and new fluid/filter. If caught late, transmission rebuild is necessary. Cooler replacement alone is 3-4 hours; with transmission damage, add 12-18 hours for rebuild.
Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator and Boost Control Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0299 (underboost) or P0234 (overboost), Lack of power on acceleration, Whistling or fluttering noises from engine bay, Rough idle or hesitation, Turbo actuator rattle on cold start
Fix: Wastegate actuator sticks or the boost control solenoid fails. Often requires turbo removal for actuator replacement or complete turbo unit if shaft play is present. 5-7 hours labor for turbo R&R and actuator.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive engine/trans movement when shifting, Clunking noise on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration through cabin at idle or low speed, Visible sagging or tearing of rubber mount
Fix: The passenger-side transmission mount uses a hydraulic design that fails prematurely. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the drivetrain. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Front Lower Ball Joint Separation (NHTSA Recall)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Clunking or popping from front suspension over bumps, Loose or wandering steering, Uneven tire wear, In extreme cases, complete loss of steering control
Fix: NHTSA recall 20V-301 covers this—ball joint can separate from control arm. Dealer should replace lower control arms free of charge if recall applies. If out of recall coverage, control arm replacement is 2-3 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall); $400-700 per side (if paying)
Fuel Injector and High-Pressure Fuel Pump Carbon Buildup
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, Rough idle and misfires, Check engine light with fuel trim or misfire codes, Loss of power, especially under load, Fuel smell or low fuel pressure warnings
Fix: Direct-injection engines are prone to carbon buildup on intake valves and injector tips, plus high-pressure pump failure. Requires injector cleaning or replacement and sometimes pump replacement. Walnut blasting intake valves adds 3-4 hours; injector set is 2-3 hours; HPFP is 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,500 depending on scope
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500-1,000 miles religiously—these engines burn oil by design and low oil kills them fast.
Inspect transmission fluid color at every oil change; any pink or milky appearance means immediate cooler replacement before the trans dies.
Use Top Tier gasoline and consider periodic fuel system cleaning to reduce carbon buildup on direct-injection components.
Verify recall 20V-301 (ball joint) was completed; check NHTSA database with VIN before purchase.
Avoid extended idle time and short trips—turbo engines need to reach operating temp and cool down properly.
Buy only if priced well below market and you budget $2,000+ for inevitable engine or transmission work—this platform has poor long-term reliability and expensive failure modes.
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: Group H6 (48) required for AWD turbo model; located in engine bay
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2018-2019 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.
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly, center of liftgate above license plate
🔧 GDS2 or Autel MaxiSys
⚠️ Camera calibration and configuration required
Tire Pressure Monitor Control Module (TPMS)relearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with BCM; no separate physical module
🔧 TPMS relearn tool or GDS2
⚠️ Sensor ID relearn required after tire rotation or sensor replacement
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 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.
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 June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.
AIR BAGS · 18V774000
2018-11-01
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.
Consequence: 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.
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 2019 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.