Turbo problems
Turbo: It forces air into the engine so that the combustion can take place. It is very common in cars with Diesel engines.
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Top problems
Turbo Coolant Leak
Chevrolet Trax 2018 LS 60000 miles
Coolant leak with my turbo also compression problem with air conditioning unit... of course nothing is covered under warranty. 2 years old and these type of issues? Unacceptable. GM needs to repair these issues under warranty or issue a recall.
13 reports
11
DA
Coolant leak in my turbo also Dang expensive to fix
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KB
I just recently had this same issue. Only 32000 miles. I've never once had such expensive repairs needed in a car, especially one this new.
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MB
What was the issue? I have a 2015 and have always added coolant. I took it to be looked at several times and they say they don't find a leak
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BU
My chavy trax has 24000 miles and coolant leak in front of the engine.It's GM so no recall if it was Toyota or vw it would be on recall long time ago.
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HA
@mbride8I bet it’s a cracked condenser I’m changing mine out as we speak
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BE
I too have a 2019 Chevy Trax that has developed a coolant leak. Repairs are too expensive for a car with less than 48000 miles. GM needs to make this a recall or pay for repairs
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TR
I agree, my 2017 Trax premier started leaking after an oil change from dealership, car only has 43,000 miles, they just called me saying the metal hoses are leaking, $1,200 to fix...WTF...I think they messed with my car during the oil change. I call BS.
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IL
2018 Trax, daughter just got a hose leak to turbo, inside engine, $2100 repair. Dealer checking with GM about coverage under power train warranty. Car has 40,000 miles and 3.6 years old. How can that happen? No part quality control?
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BI
This problem this happened to my GF trax 2019 $400 to repair...Local Garage didn't use part from Chevrolet dealership 4 hours away there not refunding her
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DA
I have a 2018 Trax with under 35K miles on it and just had it in for coolant seal leak for $1300, also had an oil pan leak, and now my AC is not working! None of this should be happening on a vehicle so new!
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LA
I have a 2018 Chevy Trax with 26,000 mile and its leaking coolant. Took to Chevy dealer need two coolant lines replaced 1460.00. Not covered under powertrain warranty. This shouldn't be happening; GM needs to have a recall and soon. Come on GM own up to the problem and fix it.
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ZE
Why wasn't it covered under warranty?
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KE
I have a 2018 Chevy Trax about 50,000 miles. Just got it 2 months ago, and I have a crack on my turbo charger. I am passed, almost $2,000 dollars to repair. Makes me feel like a victim. Can't even pay my 2nd car payment because of these repairs. I will never buy another Chevrolet!!!
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MA
@KeycIt's not Chevrolet... It's this particular model the Chevy Trax. I've had other Chevrolets and everything went beautiful the whole time I owned it. I now have a tracks and I have the cracked turbocharger and sludge in my oil... They need to refund everybody's money who ever bought a tracks
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SO
I have a 2019 Chevy Trax with 48,990 miles, 3 yrs 6 months 10 days , and the engine over heating, all the coolant running out ,waiting to see the cost of repairs. Second time the tour truck took it. Fourth time back to the company for something other than a service.
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CH
What did it end up being?
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MB
@ChrisHey if you don't mind me asking what was the repair they did on your coolant problem? I've had this for a long time but they can't find it.
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KW
I ended up trading in my Trac for a new Equinox. So far no issues. Only new tires after 47,000 miles.
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RE
Yes same here. Turbo cracked, coolant leaking, oil leaking. Just ridiculous.
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RE
I juat had to replace mt turbo also and I've only had the car 1 yr. This is ridiculous. Chevrolet needs to take responsibility. Period.
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MA
This just happened to my 2019 Chevy Trax at 36, 680 miles... coolant leak????
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2018 with 23,000 miles and it the turbo leaking on mine. $1400 repair for something that has been going on with these engines since 2011 with the Cruze
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MA
I have a 2018 Trax with 23,000 miles that has started leaking coolant and is going to the dealer tomorrow. I agree that this should not happen on vehicles with hardly any miles on them! I had a 1997 Saturn SC2 that basically only needed oil changes !
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MA
Well, I dropped it off at the dealer and it's the turbo, so it's a $1400. Oo repair.
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GR
I have a 2020 trax at 41,000 mile i smell antifreeze. At 52,000 miles ther is a drip on drivers side of radiator. Had to put the dye in and it looked like the radiator but it is the turbo cooler hose. Along with a thump everytime you take off the car has been good. Now a check engine light, stalling and crazy shifting. Thats why they updated the car it is a lemon. A time bomb that will not last 100,000 miles. G.M. needs to help us with these issues. It is planned obsolecense.
Vote helpfulLU
I've had same issue with my 2016 trax. It's under 94000 km. Engine started overheating and I noticed that the coolant was running out too fast. Took it to the dealership and all 4 turbo lines are leaking - got a quote for $2000 to repair it. Absolutely ridiculous that this is happening to so many trax
Vote helpfulJE
Wow reading all your comments really got me going. Chevy Trax 2018 also coolant leak…also cracked turbo. Had to go through about $2200 worth of other diagnostics before they figured that out though. Absolutely infuriating.
Vote helpfulKA
I have a 2018 Chevy Trax AWD LT. I purchased through Carvana at 32000 miles in 2021. First oil change in October of 2021 and found a small oil leak, except, couldn't exactly figure out where it was coming from. Next oil change 10/2022 and put Lucas in with oil, no more leak that we could see. Flash forward to 01/2024 and I was dropping my kids off at school when my car began to smoke really badly and was leaking all the oil out. Turns out that small leak we found was the oil line being bad. Ended up getting a new oil line and valve cover gasket. No more leak... That was fixed 02/11/2024. Its now 02/16/2024, and Engine overheating flashed on my dash. Fan kicks on, no evidence of a coolant leak... Thinking the thermostat is now bad.
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2018 Trax, daughter just got a coolant leak to turbo, inside engine, $1800 repair. Dealer says with GM not coverage under power train warranty. Car has 47,000 miles and 4 years old. How can that happen? No part quality control? They’re telling her they don’t cover it unless the boost light comes on and at that point you have engine damage in that may not be covered so why would somebody wait?
Vote helpfulKA
Did anybody else get recall in the turbo? Was thinking of taking my car in due to the check engine light but don’t wanna be stuck with some crazy out of pocket cost
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CommentIssue with Turbo
Chevrolet Trax 2015 187000 miles
I've had to replace my Turbo twice and now I'm told I have to do it again. Is anyone else having this issue?
3 reports
My 2017 Chevy trax at 50000 miles I had to replace turbo , water pump and now radiator. This is a common problem on Chevy trax. I think a class action lawsuit is the answer to fixing these problems
I have a 2016 Chevy Trac. Ugh...Turbo and Solenoid both replaced just recently and the engine light is still on. Out $2500.00 so far. Carrying it back to have looked at again. This is getting so old. I like the little car, or did, but never anticipated all of theses problems. Chevy dealer had offered me $15.000 a couple of years ago. I should have taken the money and ran!
CommentTurbo trouble
Chevrolet Trax 2019 Turbo 20000 miles
Known problem
The Turbo on the trax is faulty. The fix they are offering is to put a vinyl piece over the front of the car in winter to block air flow and prevent condensation and freezing and then take that off in summer.
So now we have to remember to do this and keep track of the piece and store it?
I dont think so.
We bought a Trax Premiere , but its junk. Feels junky, drives junky. Chevy can compensate us for this , replace the Turbo or replace the vehicle or put $$ towards an upgrade because Id not buy a Trax again...
The Turbo on the trax is faulty. The fix they are offering is to put a vinyl piece over the front of the car in winter to block air flow and prevent condensation and freezing and then take that off in summer.
So now we have to remember to do this and keep track of the piece and store it?
I dont think so.
We bought a Trax Premiere , but its junk. Feels junky, drives junky. Chevy can compensate us for this , replace the Turbo or replace the vehicle or put $$ towards an upgrade because Id not buy a Trax again...
6 reports
Unhappy Trax Owner from United States a year ago
Same here. Just been told it will be a $2300 fix as once the moisture is in there it will keep happening. Not exactly thrilled to be paying this much to fix a design flaw.
I've replaced my turbo two times and now I was told I have to replace it a third time. At this point I give up I'm just going to drive it and wait for whatever happens. This should be a recall item but they refuse to take responsibility.
We all need to find a common attorney and have a class action suit
This is definitely me last Chevy Trax. They are Trash.
CommentTurbo Leaking Causing Significant Coolant Loss
Chevrolet Trax 2017 Trax Turbo 27939 miles
I have had my Trax for 2 years and 4 months. I recently noticed the smell of coolant coming through my vents. Also, I had to use the heater due to an unusually chilly morning. The heater did not blow warm air. Then I noticed my coolant level was way below where it should be. I took it to my dealer this morning and was told they had to order a turbo for my Trax. They are keeping it over the weekend. I wish they had offered me a courtesy vehicle.
11 reports
I bought my daughter a 2015 Chevy trax and I’m having the same problem that you had with yours when you took it to the dealer and let them look at the problem for you did that fix it
CommentCoolant loss , due to turbo
Chevrolet Trax 2016 65000 miles
1/2 gal coolant every three wks.gm will pay 1/4. Not acceptable
3 reports
GRUMPY GREEK from United States 4 months ago
Replaced cap and now turbo hose leaking
CommentIntermittent Coolant vapor Odor and nearly imperceptible Coolant Loss 
Solved
Chevrolet Trax 2015 1.4l ecotec turbo 39600 miles
Occasional coolant smell and nearly imperceptible coolant loss was traced to the turbo.
Over time, maybe 5 ounces of coolant dripped on the indoor garage floor... Inspection of the engine compartment showed no tell-tale clue to the source of the leak but after removing the center plastic cover from beneath the car I could see minor moisture. With equally diligent inspection I was able to see seepage from the turbo near the engine. Very little, but it is evident.
Pictured is the dust-cover having been removed from the car - and looking down at it. The passenger side is darkened by coolant, b… Read complete
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3 reports
Brad McCully from United States 4 years ago
What was the outcome of the repairs on your vehicle? I have the same issue with my 2015 Trax at 58336 miles on it. The technicians said they were not familiar with this kind of problem on this vehicle
Have this problem on my 2016 TRAX , but I do not have a TURBO. This just a basic TRAX 1.4 L AT , with 120,000 K'S. Smell is always stronger after toping up the Coolant.
Best answer (according to Mike Montchalin)
Mike Montchalin from United States 2 years ago
The leak was coming from where the turbo is attached. A fair amount of labor fixed it. The seal was cheap.
Mike Montchalin from United States 2 years ago
It wasn't my car. I would avoid the Trax though and try to get a much older car that has a better history.
My driver is a 2004 Toyota Matrix. Easy to drive. Comfortable. It has about a half a million miles on it. I don't know for sure because it exceeded the mechanical limit of the odometer a long time ago.
My driver is a 2004 Toyota Matrix. Easy to drive. Comfortable. It has about a half a million miles on it. I don't know for sure because it exceeded the mechanical limit of the odometer a long time ago.
I have 2014 Trax with 40000 km. Front wheel bearings went at 30,000km ($1200)
Now turbo dripping oil & water, they want over $2000 to replace it. Got some weird shifting going on too! Had Kia & Hyundai before with no issues in 5 yrs, time to stop being patriotic
Now turbo dripping oil & water, they want over $2000 to replace it. Got some weird shifting going on too! Had Kia & Hyundai before with no issues in 5 yrs, time to stop being patriotic
I have a 2020 trax. Day one thumping when you take off. Worse if it is a slow start. Dealer couldn't replicate. But at times it is like someone rear-ended you. I bought the lease. Now at 40600 miles it uses 1/2 gallon of antifreeze every 2 weeks. No leaks or smell now and then. Only thing I see is when cooling fan comes on at light car wants to stall and shakes like crazy. Any clues?
Some how the coolant is mixing in the engine oil. I have a 2018 and that is what is happening to me
CommentCoolant loss no external evidence
Chevrolet Trax 2015 45000 miles
Since I iwn d the car it has list coolant without any external evidence. Ansovthere is no evidenc in th engine oil. Dealer replaced coolant recovery tank but no change in loss. Seems like about half a gallon in 6000 miles. Is Turbo leaking onto exhaust in such small amount it is not detectable ??
5 reports
This is a ongoing problem with this engine. The coolant line behind the turbo leaks and GM refuses to pay for it under the drivetrain warranty. They have had so many failures they keep multiples of the failed coolant pipe on the shelf. Shanme on GM for claiming it is not an integral part of the engine.
Yes, not under drivetrain warrenty. Just had my 2018 Trax in for repair, loosing coolant, no visible leaks. Had both turbo coolant pipes replaced as well as turbo oil feed line. Cost me close to $1200. If this is a common issue GM needs to cover the cost. Shame they don't.
Bought 2020 Chevy Trax brand new. Significant Coolant issues began at 82,000. Three year old car. GM won’t cover coolant issue. Added gallons of coolant for two days. Took to mechanic. They replaced radiator surge tank with a crack in it, and said cap had crack in it from excessive pressure build up. Ended up with blown head gasket. Ridiculous for a 3 yr old car. Major expensive repair for new head gasket. Cannot believe Radiator Watranty Extension was only for 2015-2019 Trax. Issue STILL exists in 2020 Trax and GM should be held accountable for such negligent, shoddy workmanship. Radiator Warranty Extension issued by GM for 2015-2019 Trax should be extended. You get what you pay for.
Just having the same issue now, turbo coolant leak at the seals, my Trax is a 2018. Still under 36k for miles but my three years is up and is not covered under warranty. $1100 to fix it. For a vehicle so new this should be a recall...Shame on GM.
CommentSlow acceleration
Chevrolet Trax 2017 22350 miles
2017 trax 1.4 turbo , at times acceleration is very poor especially at take off. Make sure there are no cars coming for a mile when pulling out into the road. Oil changed regularly
Anyone else?
Anyone else?
7 replies
Mine is a 2016. I just had my turbo blow and as a result, it killed my engine. The car has only 70,000 miles on it.
My turbo was replaced last year and now the problem is happening again!!!!
2016 LS Turbo replaced at 45,000 miles. These things are total junk! I've owned nothing but GM vehicles up until 2018. Each of my last 3 GM vehicles have consistently given me problems earlier than the previous one. I hope they can sell them in China where most of them are built. Even die hard GM lovers are fed up with the crap they are producing! NEVER AGAIN!!!
I have a 2016 and am going through the same thing right now! Turbo is going out and I think I'm just gonna shoot for getting a new car rather than replace it. It sucks, I haven't even paid this one off yet.
@GabieSame thing happened to my 2016 trax this week. I just got my car back today. On my way driving home there was a strange smell. I'm over this car.
This is exactly what is happing and worst with my car. There has got to be some type of
Class Action against GM, Chevrolet and Dealership. I am traumatized by this. I am a Senior citizen with a disability,on a very limited budget. I cant afford the repairs and cant afford the car payments, for trying to pay for rides to my part-time job.
This is not how people should be treated.
Class Action against GM, Chevrolet and Dealership. I am traumatized by this. I am a Senior citizen with a disability,on a very limited budget. I cant afford the repairs and cant afford the car payments, for trying to pay for rides to my part-time job.
This is not how people should be treated.
Chadcrawford2021 from United States 9 months ago
Have had the same issue since I bought it with 60k on it in 2019. Had extended powertrain warranty and would not cover it. Leaks/burns about a gallon a month. Dealership tells me it's just the way it is. Wth does that mean?! Now 2 weeks ago my turbo went. Sooo pist off
CommentGear position D, on a slightly slope, car fall back
Chevrolet Trax 2018 SUV 35000 miles
Before the case, I cleaned turbocharger and replace transmission fluid
Replaced thermostat
Chevrolet Trax 2017 1.5 92000 miles
Replaced the thermostat in my 2017 Trax. Now I am getting a code for a turbo charger under boost.
This turbocharger was put in April 2023.
Is this because parts were removed to install the thermostat?
This turbocharger was put in April 2023.
Is this because parts were removed to install the thermostat?
3 reports
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