OBD diagnostics · purchase protection

2016 Chevrolet Trax
Common Problems & Inspection Guide

Verify baseline vehicle system stability data. Learn what to check on the physical vehicle computer before signing a bill of sale.

Connect Adapter & Check for Code Wipes

Platform Heritage

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. A restyled model was also produced as the Buick Encore in North America and as the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka in Europe. In several markets, the vehicle was marketed as the Chevrolet Tracker, and as the Holden Trax in Australia and New Zealand. The Trax became available in Canada, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, and Europe for the 2013 model year and was released in the United States for the 2015 model year. In 2019, GM released the replacement of the Trax for China and Latin America, the Tracker. The first-generation Trax continued to be marketed in North America, South Korea, and several other markets until 2022, when it was replaced by the larger second-generation Trax due for the 2024 model year. The second-generation Trax is also marketed in China as the Chevrolet Seeker.

Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 19, 2026

Key facts for this model year

115NHTSA owner complaints
5Safety recalls on file
17Top issue reports · Engine
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you

~1.8k average monthly buyer searches in the US (google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026). Run a MotoMetrics scan for your VIN to see live repair exposure.

Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 19, 2026

System Defect Summaries & Field Data

Active safety recalls on file: 5 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 19, 2026)

Top NHTSA complaint categories

Recent recall summaries

Campaign 19V652000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · API record

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.

Campaign 16V651000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · API record

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.

Campaign 16V422000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · API record

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."

Campaign 17V437000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · API record

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.

Campaign 16V257000 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. · API record

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."

YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.

Search demand cross-check: ~1,768 avg monthly intent searches (source: google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026)

On-Site Chevrolet Trax Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
  2. Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
  3. Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
  4. Inspect systems related to ENGINE (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  5. Inspect systems related to AIR BAGS (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  6. Inspect systems related to STEERING (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  7. Inspect systems related to UNKNOWN OR OTHER (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  8. Inspect systems related to POWER TRAIN (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  9. Confirm recall remedy completed for SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT (campaign 19V652000).
  10. Confirm recall remedy completed for AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (campaign 16V651000).
  11. Confirm recall remedy completed for ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE (campaign 16V422000).
  12. Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Chevrolet Trax before signing the bill of sale.

Alternative Inferences & Cross-Shopping Matrix

Adjacent model years for this nameplate and equivalent footprints shoppers compare across brands.

Generational cohorts

2019 Chevrolet Trax

Class competitors

2016 About Us 2016 Acura Rdx 2016 Buick Encore 2016 Car Finder 2016 Car Recalls 2016 Chevrolet Colorado 2016 Chevrolet Sonic 2016 Chevrolet Spark

Vehicle health varies wildly by individual history. Aggregate recall and complaint data cannot tell you whether the specific car on the lot had its monitors cleared or its odometer rolled back. Verify the physical or digital scan before you sign a bill of sale.

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