Chevy Trax Years to Avoid: Worst Models & Best Alternatives

The Chevrolet Trax is a small and effective crossover SUV, which is frequently used and appreciated because of its compact dimensions and comfort. But not every model year is made equal. There are Chevy Trax years to avoid due to a bad reputation, including in terms of reliability, safety, and other mechanical troubles, which is why these models are not attractive.

In this article, we will walk through the Chevy Trax years to avoid and the reasons why this automobile is worth avoiding. We will also point out some of the good years that you may consider to have enough when shopping for a Chevy Trax used car.

Chevy Trax Years to Avoid

Here is the quick overview of the bad Chevy Trax models:

Model Year	Common Issues	Complaints and Recalls
2015	Transmission issues, faulty air conditioning, electrical problems.	154 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls.
2016	A/C problems, engine cooling issues, loss of power, check engine light issues.	150+ NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls.
2017	Low-quality cabin materials, underpowered engine, air conditioning failures.	130 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls.
2018	Suspension problems (improper welding), electrical issues, engine stalls.	80 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls.
2019	Brake line disconnections, suspension issues, infotainment system failures.	101 NHTSA complaints, recall for suspension issues.
2020	Airbag light issues, suspension and braking problems, infotainment failures.	48 NHTSA complaints, some minor recalls.

Worst Chevy Trax Years to Avoid

The Chevy Trax has been getting better with time, but some of its older models are not reliable. Here is a list of the worst years to avoid while buying a used Trax.

1. 2015 Chevrolet Trax

The 2015 Chevy Trax can be said to have been a good choice for many people, but it also came with issues that caused one to run out of it:

• Transmission Problems: Owners also complained of transmission problems, such as the Trax rolling back even when parked on a slope, which is a major source of safety concern.
• The faulty Air Conditioning: The air conditioning system had malfunctioned and it was known to break down, especially during severe weather conditions, leaving drivers without heating or cooling at a cost of repairs that had been reaching up to $300.
• Electrical Problems: Electrical problems, especially due to wiring issues in the automobile, also proved to be a common problem, and it was a costly one to fix as well.

Although the 2015 Trax can be considered a low-priced car, it is not good due to its mechanical issues, especially with its transmission and A/C.

2. 2016 Chevrolet Trax

The 2016 Trax is among the most flawed years of this model, and the main issues that led to it are the following:

• Engines and Cooling Problems: The engine power is lost when driving at high speeds or up hills or hills and this was what was reported by many of the owners. The engine light keeps on popping, which indicates engine failure.
• Air Conditioning Issues: There was also the issue with the A/C system, which suddenly lost its ability to work and led to heating or cooling in most of the drivers’ cases. This may be very inconvenient, particularly in extreme temperatures.
• Electrical Failures: The owners of the 2016 Trax also experienced continuous electrical failures that affected the driving experience of owners and their safety.

The low rating with many complaints and severe mechanical bugs of the 2016 model are the reasons that make this a year worse to buy.

3. 2017 Chevrolet Trax

The 2017 model was not perfect, but it indicated some progress. However, it possessed a few issues:
Poor Interior materials: The interior materials were deemed to be of low quality as compared to the competitors, resulting in complaints of poor durability and comfort with regard to the interior.

• Weak Engine: The engine is not strong enough, and is not effective in urban and mountainous areas, which means that it is a bad engine option in case somebody requires an engine with a lot of power.
• Air Conditioning Malfunctions: Ricardo Infinitis again dropped the ball on air conditioning in the 2017 model, as owners stare at the empty A/C unit, having to stay cool or warm, not because they want to, but because the failure in its use exists.

Although the 2017 Trax has some benefits, it still remains an imperfect choice.

4. 2018 Chevrolet Trax

In 2018, the Trax was enhanced with slight changes, though it is still at one of the Chevy Trax years to avoid due to reliability issues:

• Problems with the Suspension: The most significant problem concerned suspension itself, which did not allow steering and handling comfortably, particularly when high speed was involved. This called for the recall of some Trax models.
• Electrical Failures: Various Trax vehicles had electrical faults, which led to the engine and the infotainment system shutting down without prior warning.
• Reliability Issue: Although the 2018 model improved in the earlier years, it has its fair share of problems.
• The 2018 Trax did not have any of the issues seen in earlier models, but still had many issues to make it a bad year.

5. 2019 Chevrolet Trax

The 2019 version can be regarded as an improvement, although it has problems of its own:

• Brake Line Problems: One of the biggest issues with the 2019 Trax is the brake caliper disconnection that would happen only after 7,500 miles and may be very dangerous to both the driver and passengers.
• Front Suspension Problems: The 2019 Trax was also included in a recall concerning the front suspension that was poorly welded in some versions of the car, just like its 2018 counterpart.
• Infotainment Issues: The infotainment system also caused problems as recorded by many of them, since it caused anger at the wheel and while using the vehicle.

The 2019 Chevy Trax presents mechanical problems and safety issues, which makes it not the model that you would want to buy.

6. 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Although the 2020 Chevy Trax was included in the redesign project that was supposed to address the concerns of the older models, it is still one of the Chevy Trax years to avoid due to:

• Airbag Light Problems: Airbag warning light problems affected a good number of drivers, and this is a serious safety hazard.
• Suspension Issues: The 2020 model still had suspension issues, and difficult to manage and maintain stability.
• Braking problems: There were also a few complaints of braking problems by some owners who indicated that there was a lack of responsiveness of the brakes in an emergency.

Even though the 2020 Trax was an endeavor to make the model better, it still had some repeating problems that can not be ignored.

Best Chevy Trax Years to Consider

After discussing the years to avoid, it is time to shift to the best ones of the model. They are referred to as the years with increased reliability, performance, and fewer complaints among the owners.

1. 2021 Chevrolet Trax

In 2021, the Chevy Trax was a big step forward in comparison with previous versions:

• Engine Upgrade: The engine was capable of giving better performance with fuel efficiency.
• Improved Safety: The 2021 Trax had all the safety systems to showcase; it has auto emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot imaging.
• Improved Interior: The interior material is also enhanced, and it has given a more comfortable and robust cabin.

The 2021 Trax has improved its issues and has fewer recorded issues, which makes it ideal to purchase.

2. 2022 Chevy Trax

The 2022 Chevy Trax kept the streak of upward trend going:

• Responsive Infotainment System: The new 2022 model has improved infotainment, which is much more responsive and enjoyable during the driving process.
• Reliability: The reliability of this model of a year is much better compared to the other years, with a minimum number of complaints and no big recalls.
• Good Ride: Consumers were impressed with how the 2022 Trax offered a better ride to the drivers, with improved handling and cushier suspension when compared to the previous models.

The 2022 Trax is a safe option when looking to purchase used cars in terms of its reliability and updated features.

3. 2023 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevy Trax 2023 is the latest in the market and perhaps the most suitable in the second-hand market:

• Design: The new Trax 2023 is more modern-looking, inside and outside, so it has better aesthetics.
• Performance: There are significant improvements in performance in terms of power and efficiency issues with the turbocharged engines available in the new Trax
• New Safety Features: Safety is not an exception; the latest safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, are also included in the 2023 Trax, which makes it one of the safest cars.

In case you want to get a newer model, you can consider the 2023 Chevy Trax.

Common Issues with the Chevy Trax

Despite the fact that most of the Chevy Trax’s best years are a lot more reliable, users must be knowledgeable of some of the most common issues with the vehicle when buying a used model:

• Oil Leaks: In the case of some older models with turbocharged engines, oil leaks are common.
• Suspension Problems: There have also been complaints about the suspension parts of some models, especially those from 2018 to 2020.
• Electrical Failures: Owners faced problems with electrical systems, in the air conditioning system, and in the infotainment unit in the earlier models.
• Transmission Issues: Several Trax models experienced transmission failures, which have proved to be expensive to fix.

Conclusion

When buying a used Chevy Trax, it is always good to know which Chevy Trax years to avoid so that you can save yourself a lot of cash and misery. The 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 years should also be avoided due to reliability issues associated with these vehicles, including problems with transmission, suspension, and the electrical system.

Conversely, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Trax models can be ranked among the finest Chevy Trax, and most of them are of better quality in terms of performance, safety, and reliability. These models were released later and are your safest choice when searching for a used Trax.