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
Chevrolet Trax knocking problems
12 of the 1,010 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trax describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2024 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2024
By model year
- 20252
- 20244
- 20191
- 20182
- 20172
- 20161
Often reported together
Loss of power 3Screen failure 3Check engine light 3Oil consumption 2Lane assist 2Hesitation 2Engine failure 2Grinding brakes 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0325 1P0301 1P0300 1P0171 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that after the vehicle sat for a while on several occasions and was then driven, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. While driving on those occasions, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and DTC: P0171 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately six months later. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where DTC: P0300, US669T, 41121, and P0301 were retrieved. The ignition coil and spark plugs were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that four months later, after the vehicle sat for a while, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that there was an oil leak coming from the turbocharger return line and a fractured tube inside the engine. The oil connector and line were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred two days later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,641.
On December 28, 2025, while driving normally with my children, my 2024 Chevrolet Trax displayed multiple warnings including Engine Power Reduced, Service ESC, Service Stability, and Steering Assist Reduced. The engine began sputtering and knocking. The next morning the vehicle would not start and was towed to Malcolm Cunningham Chevrolet. The dealership found the engine free-wheeling with no compression and denied my warranty claim alleging spark plug tampering. I never touched the engine. It went directly from my driveway to the dealership via tow. An active recall — A242435780, Engine Spark Timing Following Auto Stop Event — was noted on the repair order upon arrival but was not completed until February 17, 2026, seven weeks after the engine failed. GM’s own recall states engine knock and engine damage are the known risks of this unrepaired fault. The dealership told me verbally it was just a console update, directly contradicting GM’s published description. A second dealership performed a compression test showing Cylinder 1 at 10 PSI, Cylinder 2 at 90 PSI, and Cylinder 3 at 0 PSI. Normal compression is 150 to 200 PSI. No diagnostic codes were retrievable. This dealership initially found something different but reversed their position after speaking with the first dealership and receiving direction from GM. GM denied my warranty claim and offered only a $2,000 incentive toward a new vehicle. The vehicle remains completely unrepaired. I continue making monthly payments on a car I cannot drive. This aligns with class action Cook v. General Motors LLC, Case 1:26-cv-00229-RGA, filed March 4, 2026.
My 2024 Chevrolet Trax which has 51,000 miles on it recently developed what appear to be a low end engine knock. This was accompanied by an increased vibration and shakiness in the car. While trying to bring the car to the dealer for inspection in preparation for a incoming snow storm the vehicle which at the time was parked on a hill seemed sluggish and struggling move forward. I felt with road conditions and the noise becoming louder and accelerating as the vehicle accelerates that the safer option was to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. This car despite having 51,000 miles with more than 85% of those being highway travel, has been regularly maintained above what the manufacturer recommends. Ive since learned through others who own the same vehicle that around the same mileage they have had the exact same issue with a few having an official diagnosis of failed rod bearing requiring a full engine replacement. Many of these incidents including mine did not prompt any warning light on the dashboard. Upon here that I came across multiple complaints of individuals Chevrolet Trax with the 1.2l engine completely throwing rods some while driving at highways speeds, and even after engine replacements some report they replacement engine did the same thing. Some of these reports date back to as early as 2020 with this engine being used in the Trailblazer. Its a matter of time before this blatant issue causes engine failure at high speeds and resulting in a accident with injuries or fatalities, not including the financial issues this has on anyone buying a marketed “”affordable” vehicle if this happens outside of warranty. GM must already be aware of this issue yet it continues to persist especially on the back of ongoing lawsuits over their engines excessive oil consumption and failures. My dealer has now had the car for two days and has failed to call me or return mall calls on my vehicles issue. Im assuming based on others situation it is another case of bad bearings.
I am reporting a safety concern involving my 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS (VIN: [XXX] ). After a service visit at AutoNation Chevrolet Spokane Valley concerning all the following issues on October 31, 2025 (Repair Order #XXX), the Lane Keep Assist system stopped functioning entirely after that being the main concern I was going into the dealership to get resolved once it tried to automatically steer me into the other lane at 60mph almost causing a life threatening collision. Prior to the visit, the system worked but was malfunctioning— the dashboard displayed the green lane symbol, and the activation button engaged the feature. After service, the symbol no longer appears, and the button lights up but does not activate the system. This change was not authorized, not documented in the repair order, and was never disclosed to me. I believe the Lane Keep Assist system was intentionally disabled or tampered with during service, which poses a serious safety risk. I am also experiencing other unresolved issues including engine ticking, dashboard brightness malfunction, infotainment freezing, and transmission hesitation. I am requesting a formal investigation into whether this dealership improperly disabled a federally regulated safety feature without consent or disclosure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I began experiencing multiple mechanical and safety-related issues within the first few hundred miles of ownership. These include a persistent metallic ticking noise from the engine compartment, sluggish acceleration, infotainment screen freezing and Bluetooth malfunction, Lane Keep Assist attempting to steer the vehicle into another lane at highway speeds, and a non-responsive brightness knob. These issues pose safety risks and match known GM bulletins (e.g., 23-NA-094, 24-NA-242, 24-NA-063, PIT6362). I’ve scheduled my first service appointment for October 31, 2025, and installed a dash cam to document future incidents. I am concerned about the vehicle’s reliability and safety.
Made first report after car was at shop over 60 days case# 1168 5928 NHSA Motor and Screen Made report to GM Customer service 1‑800‑222‑1020 case # 78472987 On 10-3-2025 Received 2024 Chevy Trax back from Ozark Chevrolet on about 9-21-2025 from motor being replaced on 9-22-25 check engine light came on took to dealership they said it was a quart low on transmission oil from them replacing motor The next evening check engine light came back on car started ticking at 45 mph and reduced power notification came on pulled over checked for leaks was none proceeded another mile and car quit running called Ozark Chevrolet they said have it towed to them on 10-6-2025 Ozark Chevrolet called said it blowed another motor the same way the 1st motor blowed they said it would take 7-10 days for motor to be in Motor #1 blowed at 19,200 miles.. Motor #2 blowed with less than 200 miles on it
I purchased the vehicle Oct. 19, 2023. I use the vehicle likely more than 99% of other owners. I drive for Amazon flex and had 54546 miles when I did my last oil change. I have changed the oil every 5000-7500 miles, including changing air filters regularly and spark plugs at 50,000. I also have always used higher quality oils from Mobil1 and ACDelco in the engine. This past weekend, a check engine light appeared and reduced power was noticed. The following day after restarting the car, the check engine light went away. It came back the following morning on the way to work, and went away after restarting in the afternoon. Code P0325 was the DTC for a knock sensor fault. During this time the MIL was illuminated, a slight metallic rattle sound was present at certain RPMs, but not loud or consistent. The same day after the last oil change and after delivering when going to moderatly accelerate to highway speeds, a sound characterized as a loud pop and bang occurred and smoke started flooding out of the engine. Reduced engine power and check engine lights appeared on the dash and the screens when black. I immediately braked and pulled to the side of the highway, where coolant and oil were flooding the side of the road. The vehicle is currently at the dealership where it was purchased, where I am expecting the “Total Engine Faliure” diagnosis.
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.
My car smells like a strong fume that is wanting to knock me out. I pharmacy something in the car that was wrapped in foil and the foil started crackling. Since then it looks like my car is pulling apart, and the suspensions shocks have gone out. When making turn it comes off as if the car is going to buckle under me.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Trax knocking
Which Chevrolet Trax years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2024 (4 complaints), 2017 (2 complaints) and 2018 (2 complaints).
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