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Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover sold since 2013, with a first generation that ended after 2022 and a redesigned second generation that returned for 2024. The 2015 has the most recalls (7), the 2024 the most complaints (169), the 2026 costs from $23,495 and is rated 29 to 30 mpg combined.
What the Chevrolet Trax is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the Trax as a subcompact crossover SUV made by General Motors and sold under the Chevrolet brand since 2013, now in its second generation. It is the low-price entry to Chevrolet's SUV range: the 2026 Trax starts at $23,495 for the LS, $24,995 for the LT, $27,195 for the ACTIV and 2RS by Kelley Blue Book, with a 1.2L three-cylinder turbo rated at 29 to 30 mpg combined and about $2,100 a year in fuel. It suits a buyer who wants the least expensive new crossover with modern safety and infotainment.
Two generations, and no 2023
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says there is no 2023 Trax, since Chevrolet skipped that model year, and that after a year-long hiatus the second-generation Trax went on sale in the 2024 model year. The first generation therefore covers 2015 to 2022 on this site, and the second starts with the 2024. A one-year-old 2025 Trax averages around $22,300 used, CarGurus says, and a five-year-old 2021 closer to $13,600.
Best and worst Trax model years
Federal data shows the first generation improving steadily. The 2015 has 7 recalls (air bags, suspension, electrical system) and 95 complaints, the 2016 has 5 recalls and 117 complaints, the 2017 has 3 and 111, the 2018 and 2019 have 2 each, and the 2020, 2021 and 2022 have no recalls and 94, 24 and 9 complaints. The second generation shows one recall on the 2024, for the electrical system, with 169 complaints, and 81 complaints on the 2025.
CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says buyers should avoid the 2015 and 2016 models due to severe engine and climate control defects, which matches those two years carrying the most recalls. Car Smite (opens in a new tab) and Motor & Wheels (opens in a new tab) publish year-by-year lists for both generations.
Strengths and rivals
The strength is price. A Chevrolet dealer's comparison, Starling Chevrolet (opens in a new tab), says the Trax is more affordable than the Ford EcoSport, with a 1.2-liter turbo making 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft, and says it comes out ahead of the EcoSport and Mazda CX-3 on price, interior space, fuel efficiency and safety, which is a seller's view rather than a test result. The weak point is the recall and complaint pattern above on early cars. See the 2026 Trax page for trims and rivals.
Questions buyers ask
Why is there no 2023 Chevrolet Trax?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says Chevrolet skipped that model year, and the second-generation Trax went on sale for 2024.
Which Chevrolet Trax years should I avoid?
CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says to avoid the 2015 and 2016 because of severe engine and climate control defects. Those years carry 7 and 5 recalls in federal data.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is built around 1.2L turbo three-cylinder, rated at 137 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 Trax seats 5 and is a Subcompact SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 Trax.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Chevrolet Trax
MY2026 is a real, separately EPA-certified model year that carries the Trax's 137-horsepower 1.2L engine and five-trim ladder forward from MY2025 with updated pricing; the mechanical specification is unchanged.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
5 indexed Chevrolet Trax model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Trax | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Chevrolet Trax | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 Chevrolet Trax | 2022 record → | |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 2019 record → | |
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | 2016 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Chevrolet Trax.
The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Chevrolet brand since 2013, currently in its second generation. The first generation model was released globally in 2013 as the smallest, entry-level crossover SUV offering from the brand. Development and production were centered in South Korea by GM Korea.
- Safety
- In China and South America, the first-generation Trax was discontinued and replaced by the Tracker in 2019. It was similar in size to the Trax, but built on a new platform (GEM) for emerging markets and not intended for North America. General Motors discontinued the first-generation Trax, as well as the related Buick Encore, following the 2022 model year in North America.
Source: Chevrolet Trax (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Chevrolet Trax at a glance
- Production
- 2013–present
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV (B)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Predecessor
- Chevrolet Tracker (Americas), Chevrolet Tracker (Americas), Suzuki Ignis#Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet/Holden Cruze (for Suzuki Ignis rebadges, Australasia)
- Successor
- Chevrolet Tracker (2019), Chevrolet Tracker (China, Latin America and Uzbekistan), Wuling Xingchi, Wuling Alvez (Indonesia)
- Also called
- Holden Trax (2013–2020), Chevrolet Tracker (2013–2020), Chevrolet Seeker (2022–present)
Chevrolet Trax generations
The Chevrolet Trax has been redesigned in 2023, gaps of 10 years, an average of 10.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation) began in 2023.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | U200 | 2013–2023 | The first-generation Trax (model code U200, designated TJ in Australia) was first shown as a concept car, which was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with the final model unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. |
| Second generation | n/a | 2023–present | The second-generation Trax debuted in China in July 2022 as the Chevrolet Seeker. |
Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)
- August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. Consequence: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- November 2023, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving. Consequence: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 86 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chevrolet Trax, most often about electrical system (30), unknown or other (21), engine (15).
Year by year
The Chevrolet Trax across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Trax | 29–30 | $2,150–$2,250 | 2 | |||
| 2025 Chevrolet Trax | 29–30 | $2,100–$2,150 | 2 | 81 | 4 stars | |
| 2024 Chevrolet Trax | 30 | $2,100 | 1 | 1 | 169 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Chevrolet Trax | 26–27 | $2,300–$2,400 | 2 | 9 | 5 stars | |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trax | 26–28 | $2,250–$2,400 | 4 | 24 | 5 stars | |
| 2020 Chevrolet Trax | 26–28 | $2,250–$2,400 | 2 | 94 | 5 stars | |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 26–28 | $2,250–$2,400 | 2 | 2 | 133 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | 27–28 | $2,250–$2,300 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax | 27–28 | $2,250–$2,300 | 2 | 3 | 111 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | 27–29 | $2,150–$2,300 | 2 | 5 | 117 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Chevrolet Trax | 27–29 | $2,150–$2,300 | 2 | 7 | 95 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Chevrolet Trax, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | Labels: Trax FFV | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 1 to 2 | 30.0 to 29.5 | Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI; FFV; Fuels: Gasoline or E85 | |
| 2022 to 2024 | 2 to 1 | 26.5 to 30.0 | Labels: Trax; Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 6-spd; Size classes: Small Station Wagons | Labels: Trax AWD, Trax FWD; Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S6); Drives: All-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2021 to 2022 | 4 to 2 | 27.0 to 26.5 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 to 2021 | 2 to 4 | Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl SIDI | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | Labels: Trax FWD | Labels: Trax | ||
| 2018 to 2019 | 27.5 to 27.0 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 28.0 to 27.5 |
Buying used
What the Chevrolet Trax recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | electrical system (instrument cluster/panel) | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2019 | 2 | air bags; suspension (front) | None |
| 2018 | 2 | suspension (front) | None |
| 2017 | 3 | air bags (frontal); suspension (front) | None |
| 2016 | 5 | equipment (electrical); electrical system (software); air bags (frontal); 1 more | None |
| 2015 | 7 | steering (electric power assist system); equipment (other); equipment (electrical); 3 more | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 264 | 28% | 2024 (48) |
| electrical system | 241 | 26% | 2024 (64) |
| unknown or other | 151 | 16% | 2024 (23) |
| power train | 92 | 10% | 2015 (18) |
| suspension | 86 | 9% | 2018 (34) |
| service brakes | 80 | 9% | 2019 (14) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Chevrolet Trax trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | FWD | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 162 | 2,983 | – | 29 | $23,495 |
| LT | FWD | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 162 | 2,994 | – | 29 | $24,995 |
| 1RS | FWD | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 162 | 3,014 | – | 29 | $24,995 |
| ACTIV | FWD | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 162 | 3,036 | – | 29 | $27,195 |
| 2RS | FWD | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 162 | 3,040 | – | 29 | $27,195 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Chevrolet Trax model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 2,983–3,040 | – | 13.2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | 2,983–3,040 | – | 13.2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 137 | – | – | 13.2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 155 | 3,124 | – | 14 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 153 | 3,124 | – | 14 |
| 2020 | 3 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (ECOTEC, Turbo) | 138 | 3,124–3,344 | – | 14 |
| 2019 | 3 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC Turbo, 1.4L | 138 | 3,124–3,344 | – | 14 |
| 2018 | 3 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC Turbo, 1.4L | 138 | – | – | 14 |
| 2017 | 3 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC Turbo, 1.4L | 138 | – | – | 14 |
| 2016 | 3 | 4-Cyl, ECOTEC Turbo, 1.4L | – | 2,805 | – | 14 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 138 | 2,805 | – | 14 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Chevrolet Trax.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 (4.2 qt) | DOT 4 | 100 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2025 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 5W-30 | – | – | – | – |
| 2019 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 5W-30 | – | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 5W-30 | – | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 5W-30 | – | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Chevrolet Trax: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2024 Chevrolet Trax : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.3).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2015 Chevrolet Trax : 7 recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags and equipment.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 81 | ||
| 2024 | 1 | 169 | electrical system |
| 2023 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 9 | ||
| 2021 | 24 | ||
| 2020 | 94 | ||
| 2019 | 2 | 133 | suspension, airbags |
| 2018 | 2 | 100 | suspension |
| 2017 | 3 | 111 | suspension, airbags |
| 2016 | 5 | 117 | airbags, suspension, electrical system, equipment |
| 2015 | 7 | 95 | airbags, equipment, suspension, electrical system |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Chevrolet Trax?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2024 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Chevrolet Trax model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2015 Chevrolet Trax has 7 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags, equipment, suspension. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Chevrolet Trax model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2024 Chevrolet Trax has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 3.3. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Chevrolet Trax by model year?
2024: electrical system. 2019: suspension, airbags. 2018: suspension. 2017: suspension, airbags. 2016: airbags, suspension, electrical system, equipment. 2015: airbags, equipment, suspension, electrical system.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Climate and electrical.
2015 Chevrolet Trax owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering and Climate and electrical.
Compared with
Models this Chevrolet Trax is most often compared with.
Nearest Chevrolet models
Other Chevrolet models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Trax come in?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax (subcompact SUV) comes in 5 trims: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, Activ.
Q02What are the 2026 Trax trims?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax trims are LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, Activ, listed from the entry LS up to the top Activ.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Trax use?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is built around 1.2L turbo three-cylinder, rated at 137 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Trax have?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is rated at 137 horsepower (1.2L turbo three-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Trax?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is offered with FWD.