I was driving on the highway this morning and about 1 min after I got off the exit the car started going slow and the check engine light came on and a code saying the engine speed was reduced came up on the screen
Chevrolet Trax check engine light comes on
167 of the 1,010 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trax describe check engine light, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 167
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,300
- typical mileage
- 47,350
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 28Engine failure 14Stalling 13Overheating 10Misfire 9Fire or smoke 9Hesitation 7Power steering loss 6
Trouble codes mentioned
P0299 8P0420 4P0300 3U0073 2U0100 1P146D 1P146B 1P0700 1P06DE 1P069E 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where DTC: P146B (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Pump) was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Trax. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound with white smoke coming from the engine before flames started coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that engine oil was splattered on the rear glass, and the paint on the rear bumper was bubbling up. The contact pulled over and safely exited the vehicle with his son. The fire was self-extinguished. The contact and his son had stress and anxiety but had not sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was violently shaking while driving uphill, with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and a burning oil odor. There was no engine oil on the dipstick. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer had previously performed Technical Service Bulletin: 26-NA-014 after discovering that three spark plugs were covered in engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and email. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
the car was being driven and started to slow down on its own and then completely shut down with the check engine light on. It was taken to an outside auto shop to have the battery checked, and the mechanic said it was the alternator. it was still within the 36000 mile bumper to bumper warranty so I took it to the dealership. They claim the technician found the battery discharged once, but once the tested everything it functioned fine. It could have been from something left plugged into the USB port..... We are still waiting for the back up camera part that is part of a recall since 2025
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
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
September 20th 2026: I was driving my 2024 Chevrolet Trax up a grade (Mountain) approximately 11AM, Driving Normally at Highway speeds, normal highway conditions, temp outside was close to 100 Degrees Fahrenheit, suddenly with no warning half way up the mountain the car lost power, check engine light turned on (Engine Power Reduced) came on, I had no option but to pull over on the highway with only 41,500 miles on the odometer. Being over 200 miles away from my home I felt devastated. Made an appointment the next morning to have the car checked out by the Chevrolet Technicians at the dealership, they stated the Turbo completely failed, the part was on a slight back order they pushed through and it took a week to get this repair done. Previous to the Turbo failing, approximately at 36,000 Miles on the odometer on or about January of 2026: I get in my Trax and the A/C will not blow cold air, took it in for service at the same dealership come to find out the A/C condenser failed or ruptured leaking Freon, I paid $1,800.00 on an expense out of pocket that was not covered by any warranties.I Even purchased the extended warranty when I bought the car with 0 miles in November of 2023. Previous to the A/C condenser failing with no warning what so ever, on November 2025 I go open my car and the remote unlock feature does not work due to a completely dead battery car would not start or open. The car had to be towed to the dealership because after they jump started it the transmission started clucking really hard when shifting into Drive. The culprit according to Chevrolet Dealer Service Advisors was just a dead battery(covered by warranty) , yet the car gave no signals of a dying battery.after picking up Car I noticed rough idle and performance after this incident, I took it back to get checked out the same day and they could not “replicate” the symptoms, they stated that they can only fix it when the car blows up since it wasn’t showing any Check engine lights. Continued…
Over the last 18 months the check engine light has come on multiple times while driving. Each time the check engine light came on, the vehicle was taken to the dealer. I was initially told by the dealer that they could not figure it out but to bring the car back if it happens again. Each time after taking the vehicle to the dealer for the check engine light, the dealer added oil to the vehicle. On one occassion the vehicle decelerated suddenly while driving. I reported the incident in a survey that I received from the dealer after an oil change. In April 2026, the dealer said that the engine appears to be consuming too much oil and an oil consumption test is needed. In September 2026, the vehicle was taken to the dealer after the check engine light came on and the dealer stated that an engine rebuild is needed and GM would be contacted.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Trax check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Chevrolet Trax?
Owners who report it most often also describe sudden loss of power, engine failure and engine stalls while driving, and the codes they mention most are P0299, P0420 and P0300.
Which Chevrolet Trax years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (31 complaints), 2017 (28 complaints) and 2019 (23 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Chevrolet Trax?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,300 (median of 13 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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