2017 Chevrolet Trax electrical problems

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I am filing this formal complaint regarding a severe, recurring, and catastrophic electrical and vehicle control system failure in my 2017 Chevrolet Trax. On multiple occasions while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph), the vehicle experienced simultaneous loss of critical safety and control systems—including power steering, traction control, and instrumentation displays—plunging the vehicle into a severe "limp mode." This sudden and unpredictable loss of control at high speeds presents an extreme safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS & DEFECT PATTERN 1. Initial Intermittent Failures (Past 12 Months): The traction control light began activating intermittently and randomly without cause. A dealership reset temporarily cleared the issue, but it later returned. 2. Sensor System Failures (Approx. March 2026): All four Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors began failing sequentially until complete loss of tire pressure telemetry across the dashboard. 3. First Major Highway Power Failure (July 2026): While traveling at 70 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a complete system collapse: Simultaneous loss of Power Steering (requiring extreme manual steering effort at high speeds) and Traction Control. Check Engine Light illuminated. Instrumental cluster failed completely: digital tachometer and speedometer registered 0 RPM and 0 MPH while actively traveling at speed. Upon pulling off the highway, the vehicle entered a limp state, restricting speed to under 10 mph. After shutting off the engine, the vehicle's dashboard screen went entirely black/unresponsive upon re-attempting ignition. After sitting stationary for an extended period, the vehicle restarted, though the Check Engine Light remained illuminated. There is more to this but I ran out of characters to type it all so I'll include it with the files below. Thank you.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · WI

When driving, speedometer/RPM dial both go to 0. The “Service Stabilitrak” message comes on followed by the “Service Power Steering, Drive With Care” message. The check engine light will also sometimes appear. The transmission is also affected (jerking when changing gears, inability to accelerate properly, revving). Power steering goes in and out. Car doesn’t feel safe to drive while it’s happening. No triggers or commonalities known. Car goes back to normal when left off and turned back on. Code U0073 "Control Module Communication Bus 'A' Off” appeared with at home OBD2 scanner.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AR

For the air conditioning I've had the blower I've had to replace the pigtail and resistor but now it's going into limp mode and saying service stabilitrak and I was on a paved road doing 20 mph at a stop light. I don't know what the hell this is going to cost me

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Where to begin. I bought the vehicle brand new with 29 miles on it in April of 2017, January of 2019 I started having issues. My check engine light kept coming on and it affected my gas mileage and speed. I had stopped at a chevy dealership in Forest Lake Minnesota and had them scan the vehicle to see what was going on and made an appointment to bring it back in for a full diagnostics. I get there and they asked me if I had another vehicle with me because it would take about a week of it being there. First off, I hadn't agreed to anything yet, I still did not even know what was wrong with it yet. They ended up doing what they said was a full diagnostic on the vehicle (which cost me almost $200) came back to me and started off by telling me that I bought a "warm weather" vehicle and it in fact was my turbo that was going out. They stated that what was happening was it would freeze and what needed to be done was some sort of heating element needed to be installed, and this was going to cost me $2500 plus labor. I was out of warranty but still had my drivetrain warranty ( at this time I had forgotten I had purchased the extended warranty) I was told it wouldn't cover it. I was irate and left, was contacted a few days later by my normal dealership to replace a valve (special service) had that done, found out that the real issue was an oil and air leak. Now to fast forward to 2021- I fixed the oil and air leak 3 more times before replacing the intake cover from plastic to aluminum. Engine is still leaking oil like crazy though. That is only one piece of my issues, I keep getting a code (since 2021) P0420 which reads that it's my catalysts- since I was out of warranty I needed to wait until I could afford to do this, plus we needed to figure out which or both.. then I received the letter stating that there are issues with the turbo. Of course, I am out of warranty, now over 120k and the POS is costing me a fortune! If I had more space I could go on with my issues.

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Electrical, Visibility · MT · crash · 1 injury

I am an [XXX] living on a remote ranch in northern Montana. Owning a 2017 Chevy Trax that has be in the repair shop 6 times since October 2023 to fix the heater fan blower motor that keeps burning up, leaving me without heat or defrost. Driving home on the evening of [XXX] the fan motor burned up again (6th time since Oct. 23) and left me with out heat or defrost. At night, about 10 miles away from home, I tried to drive home. With no heat or defrost my windows started immediately fogging up . I began to try to wipe the windshield with my hand to be able to see to drive. Frost appeared on the inside of the windshield because of being cold outside. I got to my driveway and went to turn in and missed the approach because I could not see. I ended up going down a steep ditch. When I braked my vehicle a stainless steel thermos dislodged from the center console and hit my right knee, injuring me. Chevy Trax and Sonic vehicles from 2014 to 2018 have a defective pigtail from the factory, that causes the heater blower motor to burn up. No recall and as of today Chevy has not manufactured a non defective pig tail. I feel this is a really dangerous situation for people in winter climates. Never knowing when the blower motor will stop working causing impaired visibility due to the car windows fogging up. Spending over $1,800 on repairs, that can never be fixed and as my only form of transportation, I am left with out a safe vehicle to drive. On the Chevy Trax forum you will see pages of people that have the same problem . The local Chevy dealer garage will not make the damage right & are very reluctant to honor the 2 recalls I have had on this car. Arguing with me that there was rodent damage that caused the fan to burn up. Their work order says no damage to the wiring, or no short. Also blaming Landreth automotive. The fan motor burns up with in days of repair even after the last Chevy garage repaired my car themselves, after blaming it on others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Electrical · PA

Cable that controls thermostat to temp knob in car broke and gears that run system stripped.

Filed Sep 14, 2023 · Electrical · CO

The Blower Motor Resistor and Harness are faulty causing smoking and short circuit instead of blowing a fuse. Im afraid this could cause the car to catch on fire. I opened the area where the resistor is located and the equipment reads "MADE IN JAPAN". This makes me concerned that there may be other areas of the electrical system that have not been tested properly for safety.

Filed May 28, 2023 · Electrical · FL

Ac has been repair many times but still blowing out and not working

Filed May 15, 2023 · Electrical · PA

Resistor and resistor harness for HVAC continuously fail. About to be on fourth repair as they continue to short out and begin to melt, almost catching fire. Confirmed by dealer previously that it had shorted it out and melted the wiring harness to the resistor. Only symptom prior to failure is smelling hot and then it abruptly shorts out and shuts off and produces small bit of smoke.

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · NY

2017 Chevrolet Trax mileage 35,703 November 20, 2022 ( second incident)while driving 50 mph on a highway, I lost power steering, acceleration, and dashboard instruments( speedometer & tach) failed. Dashboard message advised of loss of power steering. I was able to drive about one mile before I could safely pull to the side of the road and after stopping the issue resolved itself but check engine light came on but turned off within a 24 hour period. Later found out my son had experienced the same issue with my car one month earlier. December 6 th- Took it to dealer who could not replicate the problem and was unable to provide explanation or solution. This was a frightening safety issue- luckily there was not a lot of traffic when the problem occurred. I am very concerned about driving this car and having this happen again.