2015 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report
2015 Chevrolet Trax Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (94) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 15 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Trax with 20 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Chevrolet Trax before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Trax Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Trax years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | 111 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax | 107 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | 95 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 129 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Trax | 83 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trax | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Chevrolet Trax Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Chevrolet Trax, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyStructure
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
Reliability Score
The 2015 Chevrolet Trax receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Arm Issue Recalled due to a faulty lower ball joint in the control arm, causing loss of control and potential accidents. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Problems Multiple reports of engine issues, including loss of power and smoke from the exhaust, leading to potential safety hazards. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Issues Steering wheel occasionally seizes, making it difficult to control the vehicle, especially at higher speeds. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Recalls Recalled for front air bags, posing a risk of injury in the event of a collision. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Trax:
Issues with the control arm, particularly the lower ball joint, are a common problem.
Engine problems, including loss of power and smoke from the exhaust, are frequently reported.
Steering issues, such as the steering wheel seizing, are a recurring issue.
Air bag recalls are a significant concern, affecting the safety of the vehicle.
Recall Details for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Summary: 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 ...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC custom...
Summary: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC cust...
Summary: 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 Protect...
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Summary: 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...
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/R...
Consequence: If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
Consequence: The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Trax with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Left red light on major hwy. Car stuck in first gear. Took MI turn around and no power steering. Limped home in first gear. Internet says there was a recall for 2014-15 Trax for same problems; Dealer says there's not, and told me to drive it there in 1st gear to check it out !
While driving in the highway vehicle lost power and gray smoke came out off the exhaust, it was hard to accelerate and TCS warning light and check engine light popped up. TCS warning light extinguished but check engine light still on. Cars behind me could have hit me from behind, because it was a sudden loss of speed, it made other drivers switch lanes creating the risk of crashing others or mysel...
My radio turns up and changes by itself . It’s leaking oil an I’ve replaced everything a can’t figure it out , if anything it’s the engine it just won’t make sense . I dumped so much money into it already
I am unable to control my vehicle. Something in front end of vehicle pushes and pulls the vehicle from left to right without being able to regain control. Loud popping and clunking while turning..Braking has also been a majoir issue along with suspension/steering issues. I would greatly appreciate these things to be fixed immediately beings there has been a recall years ago and I was never notif...
The paint is peeling off. It started as a bubble and then popped. There is no rust to indicate this being from wear and tear. The back and two spots on the hood are affected by this issue.
Control arm
I have had multiple engine problems with my trax. For starters, shortly after I bought it in 2021 I had to have the radiator replaced, then in Aug or Sept 2022 I had to have the coil pack replaced, the in Oct 2022 the turbo needed to be replaced. Exactly 1 year after replacing the turbo, I had to replace it again in Oct 2023. Now I'm being told that these cars are having problems with Piston rings...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to emit an audible chime, indicating that the seat belts had not been fastened. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,...
The paint on my Blue Chevy Trax flakes off in multiple areas.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel occasionally seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was ...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power of steering assist. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The ma...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and had the vehicle tow to the dealer. The dealer replaced the fuel module, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer however, stated ...
My 2015 blue Chevy Trax is under 38k miles and the paint is peeling off the tailgate under the window. After finding out that many of my same car, same color are having the exact same issue in the same spot. I can provide pictures of when the peeling started happening and in a short amount of time how much has come off. My safety has not been put at risk. It has been taken to an authorized Chevy d...
The passenger side control arm is messed up and this is throwing the vehicle out of alignment
On 02/02/21 My 2015 Chevy Trax LTZAWD mileage 96,612 was taken to Karl Tyler Lewiston Chevrolet, Lewiston, Idaho. I experienced the check engine light and stabil trak light came on engine lost compression. The dealership said it had a code P300 misfire and replaced the coil, sparkplugs and oil change. the following morning on my way to work at 3:30AM the check engine light came on. Took the veh...
I have recently heard what could best be described as a squealing sound. I could also smell fuel inside the vehicle while driving. I thought it was oil that had leaked onto the serpentine belt and had it replaced but the noise continued. Listening closer I realized it was coming from the area around the intake manifold. Searching online I found several YouTube videos and comments from people menti...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate, and excessive smoke was present coming from the rear exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was no lubrication to the engine due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. No further informat...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, burning odor would emit throughout the vehicle cabin without warning. The contact's husband inspected that vehicle and discovered that the coolant had leaked out of the reservoir. The contact initially took the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that the water pump and a transmi...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the engine suddenly began to sputter and the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the rear diffe...
When I’m driving I started to hear the gear shifter sound like it’s moving inbetween drive or maybe out of drive I’m not really sure. Then after that happens when I stop driving and turn the car off the car won’t release the key from the ignition. I have to wait for it to lock itself into park and then the key will release.
Showing 20 of 94 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Chevrolet Trax
Has the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
The 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX has 94 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 13 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX involve power train (11 complaints), air bags (9 complaints), unknown or other (8 complaints). Other affected components include engine, service brakes, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 13 crash reports associated with the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 94 total complaints (13.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 94 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX is acceptable with caveats. It has 94 complaints, 7 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX are: 1. POWER TRAIN (11 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (9 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 4. ENGINE (8 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (5 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Be cautious of control arm and engine issues, as they can lead to loss of control and power loss. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX has 94 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 94 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 15 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Control Arm Issue and Engine Problems.
What are the known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET TRAX include: Control Arm Issue, Engine Problems, Steering Issues, Air Bag Recalls. These are based on patterns found across 94 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax?
Yes, there are recalls for air bags and electrical software issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Trax?
Control arm problems, engine issues, and steering problems are the most common.
Can the paint peeling be a safety concern?
While not directly a safety issue, peeling paint can indicate underlying structural problems.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of control arm and engine issues, as they can lead to loss of control and power loss. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Chevrolet Trax
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The data includes 94 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 13 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Chevrolet Trax an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14