Last updated: 2026-03-04
2021 Chevrolet Trax Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 Chevrolet Trax scores 81/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 18 owner complaints.
2021 is 4 years after the 2017 refresh refresh.
Recalls
0
Complaints
18
Complaint Rate
4.2
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$488
About avgMajor Repair Risk
12%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is 4 years after the 2017 refresh refresh.
- Year 7 in the First generation (U200) (2015–2022).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation Trax (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
First generation (U200)
Should You Buy the 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
The 2021 Chevrolet Trax earns an Excellent 81/100 reliability score. 2021 is 4 years after the 2017 refresh refresh.
Its complaint rate (4.2 per 10k sold) sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, whether purchased new or used.
Compared to the 2022 Chevrolet Trax, which scored the same. See also the 2020 Chevrolet Trax for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Strong reliability score
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (12%)
- No recalls issued
- Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Instrument panel and alternator (5 complaints)
- 1 fire incident reported in owner complaints
Compare 2021 Chevrolet Trax With
Common Problem Categories
Other
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- SERVICE BRAKES (4)
- ENGINE (2)
- POWER TRAIN (2)
- AIR BAGS (2)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
- SUSPENSION (1)
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
The 2021 Chevrolet Trax has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.2
per 10k soldSegment avg: 17
Safety Incidents
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Chevrolet Trax NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 17.9%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet Trax Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$488
vs $466 avg for subcompact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
12%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2021 Chevrolet Trax
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect digital display for functionality and blackouts
- Test brakes for pulling and pedal responsiveness
- Check for check engine light and engine power issues
- Verify turbocharger operation and check for smoke or burning smell
- Ensure air bags deploy in crash scenarios
Check Any 2021 Chevrolet Trax's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 Trax in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Chevrolet Trax with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 Chevrolet Trax Common Problems by Component
18 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical systems, particularly involving the instrument panel and alternator. Common symptoms include the digital display going black, which affects access to critical information such as speed, mileage, and tire pressure, with occurrences noted as early as 20,000 miles and worsening by 92,000 miles. Additionally, problems with the alternator are mentioned, leading to repeated battery failures around 37,700 miles. Some owners also describe the side detection system shutting off in wet conditions. These issues can impact vehicle operability and safety, as drivers may be unable to monitor essential vehicle functions or maintain electrical power.
SERVICE BRAKES
4 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax report issues with the service brakes, including the brake pedal becoming stuck and requiring manual retraction, as well as the vehicle pulling hard to the right during hard braking. These issues are reported at various mileages, notably around 42,681 miles and as early as 1,992 miles. Some owners mention the brakes becoming spongy and eventually going to the floor, which was linked to a master cylinder concern. No crashes or fires are reported, but the symptoms suggest potential safety implications due to loss of braking control. These patterns may be useful for potential buyers to consider, especially when evaluating the vehicle's braking system condition.
ENGINE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax frequently report engine-related issues, particularly involving the check engine light activation. Common symptoms include the engine light turning on, reduced engine power, and excessive smoke from the exhaust. Specific problems cited include crankshaft sensor errors, catalytic converter issues, fuel trim problems, and turbocharger malfunctions. These issues are mentioned at mileage around 33,440 miles. While no accidents or fires are reported, the sudden loss of power and vehicle shaking could pose safety concerns. This information is pertinent for potential buyers considering a used model.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax report issues primarily related to the turbocharger and the EVAP purge pump. Complaints frequently mention turbocharger malfunctions accompanied by smoke inside the vehicle, a burning smell, shaking, loss of power, and non-functional electronic dashboards, with these issues occurring as early as 2 1/2 months into ownership. Another reported problem involves the EVAP purge pump, leading to concerns about potential engine damage, including blown head gaskets or engines, with one owner experiencing this at approximately 45,349 miles. Safety implications include smoke filling the cabin and potential engine damage, which could pose risks while driving. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the specific symptoms described by current owners.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax report issues with air bags failing to deploy during crashes. In one instance, a rear-end collision resulted in non-deployment of air bags and seat belts failing to restrain the driver and passenger, leading to significant spinal injuries. Another report describes a side impact where the air bags did not deploy, despite the vehicle being pushed into another lane and sustaining undercarriage damage. Both incidents involve crashes, with one reporting injuries, and occur at mileage around 70,000. These complaints highlight potential safety concerns regarding the air bag system's reliability in crash scenarios.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintThe vehicle is very hard to control in high winds. I was driving down the highway on a very windy day the vehicle fishtailed the entire time. Almost rolled the vehicle it’s very dangerous
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintSafety-relatedIt appears the rear axle separated from the vehicle. This appears to prevented braking ability. My conclusion is from skid marks at the crash scene. Also Front wheels disengaged. I have photos.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 complaintSafety-relatedThe contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the AC unit was distributing hot air. The contact detected white smoke emerging from the engine compartment and the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to pull over and exit the vehicle without injury. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There was the deployment of air bags. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.
When Do 2021 Chevrolet Trax Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Chevrolet Trax Years
Best Chevrolet Trax Years to Buy
The best Chevrolet Trax year is 2025 with a reliability score of 85/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2022 (81/100) and 2021 (81/100).
2025
0 recalls · 61 complaints
2022
0 recalls · 9 complaints
2021(this page)
0 recalls · 18 complaints
Chevrolet Trax Years to Avoid
No Chevrolet Trax years are statistical outliers in our data — all years score consistently.
See full Chevrolet Trax years-to-avoid analysis →Chevrolet Trax Reliability Score Trend
Chevrolet Trax reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 80/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 85/100 | Excellent |
Chevrolet Trax Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Trax have?
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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