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2021 Chevrolet Trax problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Trax is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Trax model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
84/100
Owner complaints
26
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
5291 warranty
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
26-28mpg

The worst 2021 Chevrolet Trax problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    11
  • Engine
    7
  • Brakes
    6
  • Airbags
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax 529

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 529 bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax

2021 Chevrolet Trax fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.4L 4‑cylFWD24-2631-3227-28
1.4L 4‑cylAWD23-2429-3026

What 2021 Chevrolet Trax owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Electrical · 49,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle stalled, the key fob was inoperative, and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the radio display was flashing on and off. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated the vehicle loss power every 3-4 miles and remained inoperable for approximately two minutes before regaining power. The contact research and was made aware of recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Electrical · 50,312 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel glitched and then displayed a blank screen. The approximate failure mileage was 50,312.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · 00

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and then driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently went blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Airbags · 101,000 miles · KY · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. While the contact's spouse was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. While the driver was attempting to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle crashed into a barbed wire fence. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The driver was transported to the local medical center. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and the middle of the back and burns on the left side of the neck from the seat belt. A Police report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Visibility · 115,000 miles · FL

The contact owns Ac condenser became inoperable cluster Mask (ICM). The dealer diagnosed with a failed internal cluster mask. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Body · 35,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the driver's side roof rack exterior trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer would partially cover the cost of the repair. The contact declined to pay a fee because the contact believed that the failure was a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WY · crash

The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my daughter and I” off the highway into the dirt, on 2 different occasions. They are described as “catastrophic engine failures”. The last one occurred on MLK Jr Day 2026, before the vehicle was permanently grounded. It could have been fatal. GM is doing a formal investigation to see what liability the have for it because the vehicle is now considered a “lemon”. There were no external (dashboard) warnings before the events, but, there may have been internal ones that require a professional grade scanner to detect. The permanent Ucode, which causes a communication blackout, never appeared in the vehicles memory, on a scanner, until AFTER the local GM franchise conducted “repairs” (unsuccessfully) to fix the vehicle. (It wouldnt start, which is often a symptom of a Permanent UCode. The GM investigation will determine if the dealership knew the safety liability, (the permanent Ucode) and they tried bypassing or ignoring it, or, if they CAUSED the safety defect. Also, the vehicle is now showing a Permanent PCode, which means it is now a potential fire hazard.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · KS

The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing but a recall was not issued. On 1/22/26 the vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" while driving. The Throttle Body Injection Unit, Engine Coolant Water Outlet, and Coolant were replaced. The coolant had been topped off on 1/20/26. On 1/27/26 the vehicle began shuddering and lost power while I was driving on the highway. As I attempted to get to a gas station off of the next exit, it intermittently lost power and began smoking under the hood. It seemed to be overheating but there is no temperature gauge on the display. I had it towed to my service center again. At that time, four spark plugs and an ignition coil were replaced. After these repairs, I have continued to have significant power issues, the engine warning light has come back on, and the "Service Brake Assist" warning light has come on. Additionally, the instrument panel frequently goes blank or displays what can best be described as "static" and the A/C and heat do not work, making it difficult to defrost and defog the windshield. The wiper fluid will not come out even though the reservoir is full. Due to prohibitive diagnostic fees at the dealership, which I was told would not be waived or reimbursed, I have continued to utilize my independent service center to maintain basic drivability. My service center has advised me that the engine may fail completely within a short time frame. I have reported these issues to the manufacturer and have been assigned a case number. I'm concerned that this may indicate a potential safety defect and/or premature engine failure affecting my vehicle and others of the same model. I'm submitting this complaint for documentation and safety tacking.

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 68,000 miles · WY

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and continued driving forward. While driving at 50 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The engine and stabili-trak illuminated after the vehicle came to a complete stop. The local dealer was contacted regarding loaner vehicles on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scanned, and DTC: TCM U0101 and P0700 were retrieved. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the local dealer and the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2025 · Engine · OH

Check engine light keeps coming on. Crankshaft sensor is the problem according to the code but the dealership says it’s the catalyst converter. Also my low power engine light came on.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Chevrolet Trax before you buy

Compare the 2021 Chevrolet Trax

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Other model years

20152016201720182019202020212022202420252026

Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Trax

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax reliable?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Trax, fewer than a typical Trax model year.

What is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax year score?

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Trax: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Trax?

Electrical system, with 11 complaints. Next is engine (7).

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Trax have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Chevrolet Trax have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Trax model years with the most electrical complaints are 2024 (68 complaints), 2025 (39 complaints) and 2020 (28 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Trax get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Trax range from 26 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24-26 city and 31-32 highway.

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