2019 CHEVROLET TRAX Engine Problems

29 complaints about Engine

29
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Engine Complaints (29)

Jan 10, 2026

Bought 6/17/2023 with 81k miles (1.4L turbo). By ~7/1/2023 it ran rough and hesitated after refueling. Firestone (Brick, NJ, 7/5/2023 at 82,090 miles) said radiator leaking; keep topping off; noted open Chevy “special coverage” bulletin. Over ~2 years kept adding coolant (high consumption). Rough running worsened. Lester Glenn Chevy (Toms River, NJ, 10/20/2025 at 122,815 miles) replaced the evaporative emissions purge valve under special coverage N212338400; fixed post-refuel roughness but not overall rough running. Regular oil changes; last 10/1/2025 at 121,872 miles. Codes then: P0171, P0299, P0300, P0442, P0449, P0496. On 11/27/2025, at ~60 mph uphill on the Garden State Parkway, engine shook, dash showed “Engine Power Reduced/Service StabiliTrak” (CEL blinking), lost acceleration. Pulled over and towed; white smoke at tailpipe. Tow driver suspected coolant ingestion/head-gasket failure needing engine replacement. Odometer: 124,180. Traded in on 11/29/2025 at Automotive Avenues (Wall, NJ); no manufacturer/police/insurance inspection.

Jan 2, 2026

Started my car and it made a noise that didnt sound good. Took it to Van Chevrolet and they said it was my turbo. My car is under 100,000 miles, 2019, and giving the code that should qualify it on the recall list. They are trying to charge me 4000 to fix and have not given a rental which is about to make me lose everything.

Nov 25, 2025

The turbocharger cracked at only 50,000 miles. My mechanic stated it is a common issue with this engine size.

Nov 18, 2025

Engine light with P0299 code: Turbocharger/Supercharger Underboost. Car had hard time accelerating, especially going up the hills. Turbocharge By-Pass Valve replaced at a service center. Engine light came on again 2 weeks later when getting onto the freeway, attempting to accelerate to 70 mph. Same p0299 code. No prior concerns or symptoms, the car is under 89,000 miles.

Aug 8, 2025

The turbocharger in this vehicle cracked at around 50,000 miles and my mechanic predicts it will happen again after another 50,000. This makes the vehicle unable to accelerate at unpredictable times, making the safety of the driver of the vehicle, as well as others on the road, compromised. My mechanic believes this is a common problem with GM vehicles of this engine size. Please advise. Thank you.

May 29, 2025

October 2024 the turbocharger was replaced. A few weeks ago check engine light came on. Bad turbocharger again while I was on a highway the car stopped running. Dealer said they will not replace it under the parts warranty. They said it was 3 quarts low on oil and I need to show receipts for last 3 oil changes. From previous times there they knew my son is a mechanic & did oil changes. They wanted me to call my son to ask him how much oil he put in 🙄 after looking online it is a very common problem with the Chevy turbochargers. It will but an excessive amount of oil and cause it to be black and sludgy. I emailed the general manager. He never responded. I also filed a complaint with GM and consumer protection. When they replaced it in October it was still under the extended warranty. It is now over the 100,000 miles. However, I think a turbocharger should last more than 6 months. I could have been killed on the highway while broken down due to a part they know is defective. Instead they treated me like trash. It is not the first time they have done this to me. The car already has a new radiator, transmission, faulty turbocharger, and something with the valves was fixed. The car is a lemon. I just want them to be held accountable since they know this is a common occurrence with the Chevy turbochargers

May 8, 2025

Turbo Charger/Super charger is not following sufficient air. The vehicle does not excelerate, and slowed down in the middle of traffic. I had to turn the car off for 15 minuetes. Before i could drive home. Check engine light continues to disappear and reappear for the last 60 days. Diagnostic code P0299. GMC will not cover the cost under special coverage, known issues with 2017-2018 which GMC has special coverage.

Feb 13, 2025

Truck has code P0299. Turbo underboost. Reduced acceleration, lack of power, and a check engine light.

Jan 20, 2025

My check engine light came on after filling up with gas, after checking the purge valve cantilever was bad, I bought it and had licensed mechanic who owns his business replace it. Once again the check engine might came on. The error was cylinder 4 miss , I was told either the spark plug or coil was bad. My mechanic said ger coil and if that's not it he would replace spark plugs. I purchased the coil for a four cylinder engine because that's the only way they come. My mechanic took off the part which was broke and upon taking it out.he saw water in the coil holder and told me this was bad. He suggested I look up recalls on my vehicle upon which I found e recall on the puge valve along with a recall on the coil system which described the same problem of water leaking into the engine. After call recall department I was told they would cover the purge valve repair but there was no recall attached to my vin on other problem which should be. I bought the car with 28000 miles on it and have less than 44000 on it now. It should be covered under thus recall I have done all maintenance required and don't put many miles on it. I am a retired individual living on a budgeted income and thus problem should be covered under recall as it is the same problem as others have had. My

Oct 19, 2024

My car’s engine started to get loud one day and would run roughly as I drive. I got it check and the service center couldn’t find the issue as the car was good on all its fluids and there weren’t any leaks anywhere. Then some days passed and my vehicle started to slow down drastically on a highway (speed limit of 65) and my car would struggle to accelerate and so I was forced to switch from the middle lanes on the left to the lane all the way in the right, it was very difficult to do so as cars were passing me at high speeds. My car was struggling to accelerate and the engine started running rough. The engine light then came on. So I got it checked ant a local service center and I was told my turbocharger had to be replaced as it malfunctioned somehow. I can’t drive my car as it would be traveling way below the speed limit. I did not bring it to my dealer yet.

May 25, 2024

2 years ago, my mother, previous owner, replaced water pump with dealership in Colorado. The car was around 2.5 years old. And less than 30,000 miles. About 6 months ago my overflow container was so hot it cracked. Idle hot came on. New container was purchased. 2 months less ago my car started to idle hot according to message on speedometer and NO hot temp was visible. Also, no check engine light was on. Water pump went out again. Less than 70,000 miles. Replaced water pump. Thermastat. Thermostat housing AND overflow because warped lid due to HOT. This weekend (XXX) my car has no check engine light, less than 70000 miles. Ran hot again. Smells like an oily sweet smell. Looked at oil cap. Milky substance. Appears head gasket is now out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jan 19, 2024

When the engine is cold and temperature is Below freezing the car idles rough and burns oil

Aug 7, 2023

Design flaw turbo returns too close to exhaust manifold plastic tube melted turbo burned out due to oil leakage to to dealership to make diagnostic and they could not find anything .oil started leaking after my second oil change . Oil has run all the way to the fuel tank can cause a fire . Do I need to pay for this or a dealer issue

Jul 11, 2023

Numerous problems with engine overheating light coming on, leaking coolant, going up hill, car hesitate, car shakes at times.

May 17, 2023

The issues with the car happen when attempting to go over 40mph. After maybe 10-15min of driving, if attempting to go over 40mph, the car starts making a clinking sound, a lot of exhaust smoke comes out the back and there is a general inability to accelerate without the engine sputtering which even happened at lower speeds once it has already started to happen. The check engine light come on when this occurs. Our safety does seem to be at risk as we cannot seem to keep up with traffic speeds and would likely cause an accident if we remain on the road while the car is exhibiting these conditions. After I told the dealership about how long in driving it takes to recreate the problem, the dealership that currently holds the car(Jennings Chevrolet in Glenview, IL) were able to reproduce the problem. My parents and I went on Feb 16th, 2023 to Napleton Hyundai in Glenview and bought the car used and after 2 days of driving, my parents were having issues with the car and being able to accelerate. At the time it was diagnosed as a catalytic converter and flex pipe problem. Those items were backordered and were not able to be replaced until 2 months after our original complaint. During those 2 months of waiting, my parents were instructed not to take the highway and not to exceed 40mph. Upon getting the car back on April 26th, it took merely 4-5 more days for the problems to come back again. We also found that on Dec 17th, 2022, the previous owner took the car in with the same problems and after getting an estimate, declined service and took the car back Dec 28th, 2022. The vehicle has been looked at by Napleton Hyundai in Glenview, Jennings Chevy in Glenview and prior to our ownership, Anderson Chevy in Chicago. Anytime the vehicle exhibits the above mentioned problems, the check engine light does come on and usually in addition to the issues listed above, the car seems to be low/out of oil. At this time, we are told the cars issue is the turbo.

Apr 16, 2023

I have already said what happened and when and outcome it for some reason kicked it out made me start over. I'm attaching a report. I previously last month reported this vehicle

Mar 27, 2023

Just financed this car on the 18th of February the engine light is constantly coming on and staying on now also the stable light keeps popping on the car is sputtering and shaking and can barely get up speed when driving it's making a funny noise

Mar 10, 2023

Upon acceleration above 40 mph, the car starts studdering with little power on acceleration. Releasing and pressing the accelerator until it starts picking up speed. This behavior worsened as the day went on. I had to put my emergency flashers on, while entering the highway ramp. Then it will pick up speed, just not rapidly as normal behavior on the accelerator. The stabletrax light came on, the engine light, tread lights. Then it drives normal until the next time.

Mar 9, 2023

The stable link light came on with the engine light and showed the car symbol with tread lines. This is the second time the stable link came on since my ownership. On accelerating the gas pedal, the car starts to studder, and the engine will not pick up speed on the highway. So cars are held up behind you, until it accelerates slowly to the highway speed limit. Between 44mph it starts studdering of power. It feels like a safety issue. It has started studdering at 35mph. I checked for recalls and found a lot of Chevys have this issue, but a different make and model.

Feb 22, 2023

Car lost power and ran rough to the point of shaking even after dealer repairs were attempted and reported as finished.

Sep 7, 2022

A/C stopped working suddenly; instrument panel cluster not showing anything- looks like something is shorted out; usb ports hot to touch Diagnosed at Chevy Dealership: A/C hose from condenser to compressor has melted completely, as the hose was lying ON the transmission. Clips to hold hose away from engine parts is missing Instrument panel cluster needs a new circuit board and new USB ports Safety: PA has had the hottest days and I had no A/C Odomoter/tire pressure/oil percentage not readable as instrument panel cluster is not on. Ever

Jul 27, 2022

I'm having a problem with my catalyst converter in my vechiclw the dealership is on back order and the parts departments at the muffler shops here in Atlanta,ga won't order them because they said it's an consistent problem with these cars! So I'm stuck paying a car note on a car I can't even get an emissions for because of this issue! My radio also blanks out and I'm unable to turn the volume up or down even sometimes I'm unable to listen to my radio in my car when will this matter be recalled and took care of?

Jul 21, 2022 Fire

I was driving on 95 N and out of the clear blue, my car began to smoke. There was no warning lights on the dashboard that indicated that I needed to check the oil or engine, etc. I pulled over, taking the nearest exit to a gas station.As I turned into the gas station, I heard a loud popping sound. My husband and I looked under the hood and discovered the engine was on fire. My husband and gas station attendant helped get rid of the fire by using a fire extinguisher. My mother and stepdaughter were in the car at the time. While the fire was being extinguished, we ran away from the car and called 911. An auto mechanic discovered the transfer case was broken and thus, empty.

Jul 13, 2022

Air conditioning compressor failed, took to a GM dealership service center and was informed that the AC compressor failed at a weld joint, most likely due to an improper weld. This happened during the intense heat wave this summer (Tennessee Summer 2022) and my air conditioning failed, causing incredibly hot climate conditions in the car, which I had no substitute that I could drive during 100 degree weather. Symptoms had occurred previously, beginning as soon as I purchased the vehicle (but did not realize it was a symptom until the unit went out.) I smelled a chemical smell anytime the air conditioner was running and just believed it to be a normal occurrence, as well as any time I went a long distance using the ac, it would stop working. I brought this to a dealership but they were unable to recreate the problem due to the length of time that it took for the problem to occur while driving, so was never completely investigated. The air conditioning completely failed on a long distance drive from Memphis, TN, to Houston, TX.

Jan 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing a blanket for the front of the vehicle but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

Dec 7, 2020

THE TIRES HAVE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT ON THEM CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR, TIRES ARE NEW AND WHEN I TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER THEY REFUSE TO CHANGE THEM. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER SET DUE TO I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ON A CAR THAT I REALLY DIDN'T WANT. THE ENGINE IS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A SPEED AT 70MPH IT SURGES

Mileage: 220

Mar 16, 2020

I NOTICED THAT MY EXHAUST SMELLED STRONGLY OF HYDROCARBONS SO I EXAMINED AND PHOTOGRAPHED THE DIP STICK AND THE CRANK CASE OIL WAS A DARK BROWN AND SMELLED OF GASOLINE. THE TRAX HAS 3245 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND MAY HAVE HAD WASTE OIL DUMPED IN IT WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE ASLEEP IN OUR HOME WITH A GAS PORT.. THERE ARE SIGNS ON THE LOCAL HIGHWAYS OF ENGINE FAILURE SPEWING OIL ON THE ASPHALT AND WEAKENING THE NEWLY PAVED ROADS. *TR

Jan 25, 2020 Crash

CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINES LEAKING, TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ALSO THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE, MAKING IT HARD TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS, AND IN PANIC STOPS, LIKE MY SON HAD RECENTLY CAUSING A MINOR PARKING LOT ACCIDENT, WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED.

Mileage: 6,509

Aug 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET TRAX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V312000 (SUSPENSION). GANLEY CHEVROLET (13865 BROOK PARK RD, BROOK PARK, OH 44142, (216) 586-5804) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD BE ORDERED IN JULY OF 2019. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK, BUT NEVER DID. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEATING AND COOLING COMPONENTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND IT TOOK AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COOL OR HEAT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT CHARGE HER DEVICES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

Mileage: 300