2021 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars for frontal and side impacts and 4 stars for rollover, its complaint data reveals several concerning patterns. NHTSA has received 20 complaints for this model year, including 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries. A significant portion of these complaints, 23%, are related to the ENGINE, with issues like sudden engine seizure, turbocharger failure (some at low mileage, like 20,000 miles, and recurring), and loss of motive power. The ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is also a frequent concern, contributing to issues such as communication blackouts, instrument panel going black, and CarPlay disconnections. Despite the strong crash test ratings, several complaints highlight potential safety system failures during actual incidents. For instance, one complaint details seat belts failing to restrain occupants and airbags failing to deploy in a rear-end collision, while another mentions side impact airbags not deploying in a crash that rendered the vehicle undrivable. Brake-related issues are also prominent, with 'SERVICE BRAKES' being a top complaint component. Reported problems include brake pedal becoming stuck, hard pulling to the right during braking, and even a rear axle separating which appeared to prevent braking ability in a crash. The vehicle also has a reported fire incident originating from the engine compartment after the AC unit distributed hot air. The absence of any recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax, despite recurring issues like turbocharger failures (which GM reportedly acknowledged as a 'known condition' in a letter to owners), is noteworthy. This suggests that while individual components may be failing, they haven't met the threshold for a manufacturer-initiated recall. The combination of strong crash test scores with a pattern of critical component failures and reported safety system malfunctions in real-world incidents indicates that while the vehicle is designed to protect in a crash, its reliability and prevention of incidents are areas of concern.

Our recommendation: Given the strong crash test ratings but recurring critical component failures (engine, electrical, brakes) and reports of safety system malfunctions in real-world incidents, proceed with caution. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic, focusing on the engine, electrical system, and brakes, is highly recommended.