Component that malfunctioned: loose Inner and outer tie rod end following repair preformed at a dealer on 8/20/2026. This component is essential for proper steering and if this would have failed while driving the joint can shear or free from the knuckle as the driver looses control of the steering. additionally, this sudden loss of control would have likely resulted in a serious if not fatal accident. I am an auto technician by trade at a independent repair shop, me and a fellow technician verified the inner and outer tie rod have more than 0.5mm of movement documented by video inspection, we removed the inner tie rod boot and uncovered the inner tie rod was not completely threaded into the rack, we completed threading it but the play is still present. This component was allegedly inspected and repaired on 8/20/26 with the return of clunking noise presenting on 9/3/26. I have not returned to this establishment. No warning lamps are illuminated, the only symptoms are a sharp suspension clunk and noise while turning right. the vehicle was returned to me in an unsafe condition by a known GM dealership. It is unknown to me the exact extent of the service as they did not provide me with any physical records as requested by me.
Chevrolet Trax ball joint problems
46 of the 1,013 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trax describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 46
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $450
- typical mileage
- 27,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 3Grinding brakes 2Stalling 1Power steering loss 1Overheating 1Jerking 1
What owners say
There are known issues with the control arms on these vehicles and I have had a clunk any time I hit the slightest bump or crack and it is especially bad when my wheels are turned. There is no recall linked to my vin but this is the exact issue that has been recalled on other vins. This makes driving the car with my children very unsafe.
Both my control arms are loose and wheel baring is bad, plus a cracked catalytic converter. All of these are causing my car to be loud and burning smell, causing unsafe driving conditions for me and my children. Online states that the control arms are an issue with this vehicle make and model and have been recalled, however my VIN has not been recalled and I want to report this. improperly welded joints can fatigue and break, causing the lower control arm to partially separate from the vehicle. This can lead to a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. I have not gotten in an accident, but was at risk of this happening. My car is being worked on and it will cost me $800 for these repairs for the issues related to the 2018 Chevy traxs. I would like this VIN to be recalled and receive a refund for the work done to my vehicle.
My lower control arm weld has cracked. It was checked shortly after purchase and passed inspection at the Chevy garage in Elkins, WV. Now the weld is cracked on both driver and passenger sides and it making a clunking sound. I do not feel safe to drive this vehicle. This problem should of been fixed when the recall came out, they should of replaced with new parts. My husband Inspected the problem and found the cracks. I took photos to document it. We found the problem on [XXX] but has been clunking for over a month INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle was brought to an authorized GM dealership for a scheduled appointment to address a check engine condition related to a purge valve and an open safety recall for the lower control arm. The VIN was provided and confirmed at the time the appointment was made; however, the recall was not completed during the visit. The dealership replaced the purge valve without documenting diagnostic testing to confirm the cause or verify the repair. The vehicle was returned with the same check engine light still present. Additional issues were communicated through technician video and text, including a potential oil leak and possible fluid mixing, but none were documented or diagnosed in the service record. A dealership manager later stated that the vehicle was “not safe to drive,” but no written explanation or safety guidance was provided, and the vehicle was released without clarification. No diagnostic records, technician notes, or findings have been provided by either the dealership or GM despite escalation. The consumer has worked through appropriate dealership and manufacturer channels for approximately one month without resolution. The consumer is now being directed to return the vehicle for additional diagnostics at the consumer’s expense without defined scope or explanation. The vehicle remains with an unresolved condition and an open safety recall, without clear guidance regarding safe operation. This lack of clear, documented information is particularly concerning for senior-aged owners who rely on accurate guidance to make safe decisions.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving and making turns, the steering wheel had to be turned to the intended direction completely for the vehicle to turn as needed. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side lower control arm had failed due to defective factory assembly. The dealer replaced the lower control arm, and the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C system was inoperable, and the infotainment system screen was significantly hot and turned off intermittently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the A/C system motor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact was advised that the A/C system motor was not the cause of the failure, and the contact was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
It’s either my ball joints or the suspension or the arms. But they have a recall of the same exact issues I’m having but my car isnt part of the recalled list. But I am having the same issues and I’m at 109k miles. And i wasn’t in an accident. It actually started happening after I had my car in the shop to replace my turbo. Since ive gotten it back it sounds and drives horribly and from what I’m hearing its my ball joints or suspension or arms to that.
I was driving between 35 and 45 mph and ran over a manhole cover. The rear of my vehicle began to fishtail. I pulled into a gas station and upon attempting to leave my vehicle failed to drive forward. The car was still on but would not move forward. I had it towed by flatbed to the local chevy dealership where it was determined that the rear suspension swing bar has separated at the weld. If I were traveling at a higher rate of speed on the highway this could have been deadly. The current recall for this problem only mentions the front control arm but for the same issue. My car has been inspected by my insurance and the incident does not match the damage and I'm fighting to not have my vehicle considered totalled. There were no other warning signs or issues prior to this.
Control arm
I'm contacting the federal safety agency to make a recall request on chevys 2020 trax . less than 3 years old and has 23,300 miles , the chevy trax needed both control arms, both side tie rod ends , 2 alignments. I'm going to say to the federal safety agency I think chevy didn't manufacture the 2020 trax with strong enough front suspension and steering parts. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The both front bottom control arms . I asked the ourisman dealership to give them to me after the repair was paid they didn't give . and the ourisman dealership said it was only one bad inner tie rod end but both where bad . I had the tie rod ends replaced at independent service center and they kept and gave me the old bad tie rod ends. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If these parts broke off during driving would be a deadly crash of multiple vehicles especially on a interstate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes by to ourisman dealerships and one independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? by the chevy dealerships but they didn't give me the parts after the repair but I did ask for the parts. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, didn't
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
- Risk
- 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 steering and increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Recall number 19V652000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
- Risk
- 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 steering and increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.
Recall number 19V312000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Trax ball joint
Which Chevrolet Trax years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (18 complaints), 2017 (8 complaints) and 2015 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Chevrolet Trax?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $450 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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