2021 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report
2021 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (20) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Chevrolet Trax with 9 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2024 | Check the 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Chevrolet Trax | 9 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Trax | 83 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 129 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Chevrolet Trax | 137 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | 95 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Chevrolet Trax | 65 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Chevrolet Trax Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Service Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train,Electrical System,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Service Brakes,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Lane Departure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Lane Departure issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax
Reliability Score
The 2021 Chevrolet Trax receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check Engine Light The check engine light has been a recurring issue, with the crankshaft sensor and catalyst converter being the primary causes. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Turbocharger Failure The turbocharger has failed suddenly without warning, causing engine power loss and smoke emission. |
High | Occasional | 20k-45k miles |
| Instrument Panel Malfunction The instrument panel has intermittently gone black, affecting the display of speed, tire pressure, and mileage. |
Medium | Common | 20k-45k miles |
| Brake Pedal Sticking Reports of the brake pedal becoming stuck have been reported, posing a significant safety risk. |
High | Occasional | 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax:
Issues with service brakes have been reported, including check engine lights and brake pedal sticking.
Electrical system issues, such as check engine lights and instrument panel malfunctions, have been reported.
Engine problems, including turbocharger failures and check engine lights, have been reported.
Instrument panel malfunctions have been reported, affecting the display of critical vehicle information.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my daughter and I” off the highway into the dirt, on 2 different occasions. They are described as “catastrophic engine failures”. The last one o...
The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing but a recall was not issued. On 1/22/26 the vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" while driving. The Throttle Body Injecti...
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and continued driving forward. While driving at 50 M...
Check engine light keeps coming on. Crankshaft sensor is the problem according to the code but the dealership says it’s the catalyst converter. Also my low power engine light came on.
At roughly 20,000 miles, my cars' carplay connection begain to intermittently disconnect. Never could get it to reproduce the same results when at the dealership. At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go black and then come back after a few seconds. Now at 92,xxx miles (don't know how many miles because it's black right now) its off more than its...
UNKNOWN I’ve had my car for 11 months. When I first got the car I got it fully inspected and there were minor issues like tires and brakes. However, now the ac compressor is completely damaged and there may be contamination in my lines. This is not an owner issue. I take really good care of my car. I just don’t know how this could’ve happened if this wasn’t a manufacturer related issue.
The instrument panel where the digital speed, tire pressure, mileage etc.. is displayed goes black. Sometimes it comes back on and sometimes it stays off for hours
The front exhaust flex pipe leaked by a corrosive hole that allowed exhaust and CO carbon monoxide to escape making the drivers dizzy, nauseated, and with a headache. This also caused the vehicle to smoke, run rough and stall in traffic. This also required the post 02 sensor to be replaced.
1/23/25 This is the 3rd time the turbocharger has malfunction within 2 1/2 months and is once again at the dealership service department. Horrible smoke was filling the inside of the car while I was driving and smelled as though something was badly burning. The car had began shaking with minimal driving and loss of power. Electric dashboard not working which should indicate if there is any particu...
On 11/25/24 while my daughter was driving my 2021 Trax all of a sudden the engine light came on and my car lost power while lots of smoke began coming out of the exhaust pipe the car started to shake she thankfully made it to the Dealership service department where the codes showed a FUEL TRIM PROBLEM once that problem was serviced my daughter picked the car up drove my car home and the very next ...
My car is only at around 37,7000 miles. My I have only had it since it was around 15,000 miles. My battery has died at least 4 times due to my alternator having problems charging. My brakes have also gone out on me at one point in the beginning. My battery is now trash and so is my alternator.
My car, which as of today, July 6, 2024 has a mileage of 45349, and is experiencing issues related to the EVAP purge pump under speed. I see that there is already been a recall on multiple models of the Chevrolet tracks, but not mine as it is a 2021 and not a 2020. I have owned this vehicle for two months, and have kept up with all of the maintenance as instructed. But I figured that this malfunct...
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, another vehicle rear-ended the vehicle. The contact stated that both the driver and passenger seat belts failed to restrain both occupants. The air bags also failed to deploy upon impact. A police report was filed. The contact managed to drive away from the scene of the accident. The contact and the othe...
The vehicle is very hard to control in high winds. I was driving down the highway on a very windy day the vehicle fishtailed the entire time. Almost rolled the vehicle it’s very dangerous
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and became stuck. The contact had to manually retract the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with brake positioner failure. The contact was informed that the brake positioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, th...
It appears the rear axle separated from the vehicle. This appears to prevented braking ability. My conclusion is from skid marks at the crash scene. Also Front wheels disengaged. I have photos.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the AC unit was distributing hot air. The contact detected white smoke emerging from the engine compartment and the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to pull over and exit the vehicle without injury. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The fire department extinguished the f...
My wife was driving and we were hit hard enough to shove the vehicle into the next lane and crumple the undercarriage of the vehicle. Making it undrivable anymore. And any information I can find says side impact air bags will deploy if the vehicle is hit anywhere on the side of the vehicle. Which clearly did not happen in this case. A side note I can only ever find videos on direct side impact not...
1,992 miles. Two times when applying brakes hard the vehicle pulled hard to the right. Both times I narrowly avoided hitting the vehicle in front of me. I went to the service department they did a test drive and were unable to duplicate the issue. They checked the brake pads and rotors and stated all look normal. In addition they did a multi-point inspection. 6,253 miles. Again applying brakes ...
1,992 miles. Two times when applying brakes hard the vehicle pulled hard to the right. Both times I narrowly avoided hitting the vehicle in front of me. I went to the service department they did a test drive and were unable to duplicate the issue. They checked the brake pads and rotors and stated all look normal. In addition they did a multi-point inspection. 6,253 miles. Again applying brakes ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Chevrolet Trax
Has the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX been recalled?
No, the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2021 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 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX involve service brakes (2 complaints), power train,electrical system,engine (1 complaints), electrical system,service brakes,engine (1 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, hydraulic,electronic stability control (esc),engine, engine, electrical system,lane departure.
How many crash reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 20 total complaints (20.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 20 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX is generally recommended. It has 20 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (1 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (1 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. ENGINE (1 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Be cautious of the check engine light and brake pedal sticking issues, as they can pose significant safety risks. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX has 20 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 20 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Check Engine Light and Turbocharger Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAX include: Check Engine Light, Turbocharger Failure, Instrument Panel Malfunction, Brake Pedal Sticking. These are based on patterns found across 20 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
Common issues include service brakes, electrical system, engine, and instrument panel problems.
How often do the service brakes and electrical system fail?
Service brakes and electrical system issues have been reported in 23% of cases.
What should I do if I experience brake pedal sticking?
Seek immediate professional assistance to address the issue, as it can be dangerous.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the check engine light and brake pedal sticking issues, as they can pose significant safety risks. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Chevrolet Trax
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The data includes 20 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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