Engine lights and air bag faults
The 2016 Trax has the most engine complaints of any year: check engine lights and loss of power.
Updated November 2026 · based on 120 owner complaints and 5 recalls
152 1.4x the Trax average
5 free to fix at a dealer
Every Trax year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2016 Trax
Top problems and what they cost
Loss of power
Check engine light and reduced power.
Fix: Diagnosis $100 to $200
Engine
Passenger air bag
Air bag warning faults on a few cars.
Fix: Sensor $300 to $600
Air bags
Recalls
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 stee...
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 dri...
Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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 dri...
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2016 Chevrolet Trax
- Look for coolant residue around the engine.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.46 of the 120 owner complaints about the 2016 Trax involve the engine and cooling system (38%).
- Check air bag warnings.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.Owners filed 34 complaints about check engine light and loss of power on the 2016 Trax, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
Engine lights and air bag faults. The 2016 Trax has the most engine complaints of any year: check engine lights and loss of power.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have?
5 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Trax problems?
Loss of power; Passenger air bag.
Crash rating shown for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.