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Chevrolet Trax grinding brakes problems

23 of the 1,013 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trax describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
23
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
9,222
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

The vehicle suffers from an extreme, unresolved internal crankcase pressure defect stemming from the factory 1.4L Ecotec PCV system and intake manifold check valve. This pressure cascade has caused a total turbocharger failure, multi-gasket oil blowouts, water pump failure, and has now completely blown a critical coolant housing hose off its connection, causing total coolant evacuation. The vehicle is currently parked and available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver and minority passengers is severely compromised. The vehicle actively smokes from under the hood when turned on, which worsens immediately when the cabin heater is utilized. This indicates highly flammable oil and coolant are leaking directly onto hot exhaust/turbo components, presenting an active vehicle fire hazard. Furthermore, the pressure defect previously caused a catastrophic engine oil blowout while traveling at highway speeds, risking sudden power loss, engine seizure, and traffic collisions. The vehicle is currently deemed completely unsafe to operate. The vehicle's core turbocharger failure was previously confirmed and replaced by an authorized manufacturer dealership under a factory warranty extension. However, the dealership failed to diagnose or repair the underlying PCV/intake pressure defect, causing the new components to fail immediately upon vehicle delivery. The manufacturer has been notified of the failure cascade but is refusing to inspect or intervene without requiring out-of-pocket consumer diagnostic fees. No police or insurance inspections have occurred. began over two years ago with random, intermittent check engine lights accompanied by random error codes, a high-pitched engine squeak, rough idling, severe fuel economy drops, and intermittent engine stalling. The engine eventually developed a heavy knocking sound resembling a diesel engine. Currently, the check engine lamp does not illuminate, but all physical symptoms remain active and increasing in sever

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I work from home, so I drive my car maybe once a week and only on flat highways. One day, I heard a loud booming crack and then suddenly the vehicle was making a grinding noise and pulling strangely. I drove directly to a mechanic and had them looked at the vehicle since it was highly concerning to me. They said that the rear differential had split suddenly and that it was actually extremely dangerous that I had been driving still. They said if it had fully cracked it might have ended in my death! Again, this car is very underworked and not driving over so crazy terrain or anything to cause damage. The mechanic also mentioned that they've seen this problem in this vehicle make a lot, stating, "it's very common". I had to drop 3 grand to fix this. Given the danger and that it's a common problem I'm surprised this isn't already a recall.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Brakes · TX

In the last 30 days of obtaining my first brand new vehicle, there have been a couple of incidents where I have put my truck in Park on an incline (hilly street or driveway), and you can hear the brakes grinding once my foot has been removed from the brake pedal. It gives the impression that the brakes have not stopped. It’s unusual to hear and in my concern, I activate the emergency park for extra security. It’s a little scary to think that the brakes won’t do what they’re designed to do.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · 115,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, there was a loud snapping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to drive back to the residence, the steering wheel became inoperable. Additionally, there was a grinding sound coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

Brake System malfunctioned. Brakes making horrible grinding noise at 25000 miles. Took to dealership under warranty and was told "that is just the sound that GM brakes make" and they refused warranty repair. Assured noise wouldnt worse, but continued. Paid to have brakes replaced and the SAME exact noise continues today. Brake fluid leaked everywhere and totally disabled the entire braking system while driving on the interstate. When the brakes went out, i loss power and it was difficult to steer. Tried receiving assistance from Chevrolet on many occasions until i gave up Car flashed a message suggesting vehicle was experiencing loss of power while driving down interstate, cleared the message and vehicle power remains weak. Code suggested turbo was going out. Car honks 2-3-4 times while in park only 5 minutes. Oil has to be changed constantly. Last oil change took 2 weeks before now having only 81% oil life. Forward collision warning warns when nothing is in front or around you. Lane keeping assistance cuts in and out and doesn't always work. Backup camera shows upside down often, and distorted. ECM warranty reset has been completed. Lane departure warning signals hazard where there is none and sometimes lane keeping assistance disallows me to remain in the middle of my lane so i have to cut it off. interior and exterior lights and radio have remained on for hours after locking vehicle and going inside my house.

Filed Mar 28, 2023 · Suspension · 10,153 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that the suspension was fracturing and detaching and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the rear seat pivot lock failed, and the passenger’s side control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound while turning. The contact stated that there was grinding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and that the driver’s side control arm was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V652000 (Suspension) after an inspection. The approximate failure mileage is 10,153. The contact stated that the left side had been replaced a while back under the recall. They were unaware that both sides were supposed to get fixed. The right side now needs to be replaced but the dealership will not perform the repair because the recall is now closed. The contact stated that the dealer finally agreed to inspect the vehicle and now the noise no longer exists due to a loose bolt.

Filed Nov 2, 2022 · Suspension · 8,000 miles · VT

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over bumps, the vehicle emitted squeaky sounds. The contact stated that as she depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle pulled towards to the right and hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side tire tread was lower causing the failure. The dealer replaced the front driver's side tire however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V312000 (Suspension) was previously completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CO

I have recently heard what could best be described as a squealing sound. I could also smell fuel inside the vehicle while driving. I thought it was oil that had leaked onto the serpentine belt and had it replaced but the noise continued. Listening closer I realized it was coming from the area around the intake manifold. Searching online I found several YouTube videos and comments from people mentioning loose spark plugs caused their issue. Checking mine I found that two of the four spark plugs were loose enough to not require a wrench to remove them. Tightening them eliminated the noise. I have owned this vehicle since it was brand new and have never asked a mechanic to check or replace spark plugs, nor have I done it myself. I did recently replace the intake manifold, which required removing and reinstalling the ignition coil. I feel like loose spark plugs represent a fire hazard as it allow the fuel to blow past the cylinders and into the engine compartment.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Suspension · MI

Front top strut mounts completely broken loss of turning and grinding metal on metal clunking noise when you turn 22,000 miles alignment is way off factory issue bad parts

Filed May 1, 2021 · 28,001 miles · IN

Ac no longer works. Ac only blows warm air no cool air. Three years is very soon for a car to have issues with the air condition. There is no AC. The heater works fine. However, when I turn on my AC the car vibrates and makes a grinding sound. Feels unsafe to drive.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Chevrolet Trax grinding brakes

Which Chevrolet Trax years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (6 complaints), 2018 (5 complaints) and 2017 (4 complaints).

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