Radiator, ta 80k Miles the seal broke and causing a coolant leak, upon looking at forums related to my car there are NUMEROUS complaints, my safety was at risk because my car could've overheated and shutdown when traveling and caused a major accident. The Trax is known for this issue, yet no recalls or anything. There was no accident associated with this but I am truly hoping someone gets ahold of Chevy/GM about this issue
2020 Chevrolet Trax: engine overheating
10 of the 98 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Trax describe engine overheating.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- recalls
- 0
Engine overheating by model year
- 20251
- 20242
- 20211
- 202010
- 20194
- 20185
- 20174
- 20164
- 20153
What owners say
The car gets overheated. I spent lots of money and still have the same problems
CRITICAL SAFETY INCIDENT / LIFE-THREATENING VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD. On January 2, 2026, I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. Within less than five months, while driving in active traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic powertrain failure. The vehicle completely lost all acceleration, leaving me trapped and stranded in a highly dangerous roadway position. Immediately following the power failure, the engine bay filled with heavy smoke and began severely overheating. The vehicle came within moments of bursting into a full thermal engine fire. This vehicle was a rolling death trap that almost killed me on the road. No one is taking this life-threatening safety failure seriously. The selling dealership refused to address the known hazard, forcing a predatory repossession that destroyed my financial life while leaving a severely defective, fire-prone vehicle completely unaccounted for. I need an immediate federal investigation into this vehicle before this defect causes a fatal fire for another driver.
My full complaint of the 2020 trax after buying brand new and only I as the owner and driver. Nov 2023- seat belts would not stay latched. We found out slamming on the breaks for a tractor trailer that flipped in front of us on 495. February 2024 - dash screen out, on and off as it wanted. February 2024- Heat and AC control not turning like they were super glued March 2024- dash screen out again complete black out April 2026- strut replacement @60,000 miles April 2026- water pump coolant leak April 2026- 3 serpentine belts in 3 days. I think that's all the consumer needs to be aware of, make a logical choice but the extra warranty it will save you I promise. All items have been covered by warranty, extended warranty or special warranty coverage. Make sure you research. And definitely make sure your dealership upholds their word and warranty. I carry my book with me Everytime I head to the shop. All work has been done under 63000 miles.
I think it is crazy that my 2020 chevy trax doesnt have a temperature garage, there was a 2019 recall concerning leaking coolant, and I believe a recall on something dealing with the oil cap or component all of which I am having problems with. First in February of 2026 I was on a busy multiple lane express way and all of a sudden my coolant image warning light came on and indicated :engine overheating idle engine". No pre-warning or nothing , no temperature gauge to even see if the car was running hot. So I had to merge over 3 lanes at night on a busy highway in order to get off on the next exit. My issue was my coolant reservoir only had a spoon full of coolant all the coolant was gone. The shop told me my water pump was leaking and that was causing the coolant leak. This was repaired. A month later I have another coolant leak in a different spot and now I have oil leaking from somewhere. Firestone told me there is a oil cap or component recall but I can't find any recall on an oil component using my VIN numbers. This is so disappointing that I've only had this car for 4 years and 3 months and I'm having these issues related to recalls and complaints Ive seen from other owners.
For coolant reservoir being made out of polypropylene materials that is resistant to expansion and cracking, the overflow line into my reservoir is severally cracked causing excessive leaking of coolant causing steam and engine overheating.
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet TRAX. The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased, the engine had been failing. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the engine overheated. The engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. Most recently, the vehicle was repossessed. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Since purchasing the vehicle brand new, the transmission went out at 30,000 miles (mostly the accelerator components), the water pump, motor, and fuel pump all went out around 90,000 miles. Have gotten all things fixed, but lights keep popping back up no matter what gets repaired. Excessive overheating—three signs light up on the dashboard: red thermometer indicating an overheating engine; check engine light; and check engine light with arrow pointing downward indicating engine speed to be reduced. This car is a danger to anyone in it or around it.
The coolant reservoir is missing hoses which are supposed to be connected. The head gasket is completely blown out, which is under warranty. Excessive overheating—three signs light up on the dashboard: red thermometer indicating an overheating engine; check engine light; and check engine light with arrow pointing downward indicating engine speed to be reduced. Trax stopped in the middle of the traffic light on and 7/26/25 and had it towed.
When driving my car around a 15 mile drive my car displays a Engine Overheating - Idle Engine message on my dash display and I go straight home to inspect the car and notice as shown in the photo I took the cap slowly after the car cooled down and I refilled it with antifreeze and close it and the hose/cable for the antifreeze was squeezing in antifreeze normally it would be out and took it for a little drive and someone from the outside of the car too see for any leaks it wasn’t leaking visibly it seems to be internal or a thermostat issue when driving for 5 minutes almost all of my antifreeze was drained this can be a safety issue especially if I kept driving as the engine would most likely stop to prevent engine could be especially harmful if I was on the turnpike or expressway
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California...
- This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in...
- This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2020 Chevrolet Trax overheating
Is engine overheating a common problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
10 of 98 owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Trax (10%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
There are 0 recalls and 119 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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