The Chevrolet Trax has seen a refresh inside-out for the 2017 model year and now features a striking design with added features. The technology inside sees a bump as well which has put the subcompact SUV against the Honda HR-V, the Mazda CX-3, the Subaru Crosstrek, and the Jeep Renegade. The rivalry is fierce and the sales are decent with nearly 9,000 units sold last year. The owners are pretty satisfied with the crossover but the people have reported a lot of issues with the Stabilitrak system and the turbocharger. Adding to this list are issues with the AC and other electricals. The compact crossover is recalled three times as well, adding to the woes. But does the crossover make a better deal than the rivals? Read more and find out.
2017 Chevrolet Trax Problems
Electrical issues:
- Control panel illumination: Myriads of Trax control panel problems are reported in the recent past. The issue is that the control panel’s illumination goes dim/switches off. This makes it very difficult for the driver to see information while driving. S/he has to take his/her eyes off the road which increases the risk of a mishap.
- False warnings: The car’s instrument panel flashes false warnings regarding different mechanical issues and activates protective measures. The owners have reported the crossover suddenly entering Limp Mode and limiting the speed, on a highway. The car started up and drive fine after this but the Check Engine light was illuminated.
- Power-steering failure: Many people have reported several Trax steering issues, the most prominent being the sudden loss of power assist while driving. People report the steering wheel to get heavy and very difficult to maneuver at highway speeds. The owners stopped the car to the side and restarted the car to solve the issue.
- Door actuator problems: Many Trax owners have reported issues with the door actuators and claimed the actuators failed. This also triggers the anti-theft alarm and causes a lot of inconvenience to the owners.
Mechanical issues:
- Turbocharger issues: People have reported issues with the turbocharger malfunctioning and causing loss of acceleration. This forces the crossover into Limp Mode and restricts speed without warning. The issue is more prominent in colder temperatures where the solenoid for the turbocharger is prone to failure.
- Transmission issues: The transmission slips gear and enters neutral, causing unintentional rolling back if parked on a slope. This resulted in injuries while the occupants were exiting the car.
2017 Chevrolet Trax Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
September 8, 2016 |
16V651000 |
Airbags |
Entering a diagnostic test due to a software error in the airbag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may disable the front airbags, increasing the risk of injuries in a crash. |
General Motors LLC (GM) issued a recall on October 13, 2016. The dealers will reflash the SDM software. |
|
2. |
April 18, 2019 |
19V312000 |
Suspension |
An improperly welded joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may partially separate the said arms, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. |
General Motors LLC (GM) issued a recall on June 14, 2019. The dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front lower control arms if required. |
|
3. |
September 12, 2019 |
19V652000 |
Suspension |
An improperly welded joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may partially separate the said arms, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. |
General Motors LLC (GM) issued a recall on November 6, 2019. The dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front lower control arms if required. |
Should you buy the 2017 Chevrolet Trax?
The 2017 Chevrolet Trax is a commendable offering in a segment occupied by much more credible rivals. The sales have been decent and the overall reliability is up to the mark. The reported niggles aren’t much of a bother and have an easy fix available. One should beware of the turbocharger issues if one is living in colder climates but other than that, the Trax is a solid offering.
