Best Used Trax Years to Buy
Which model years are genuinely worth your money, and which ones carry real, documented risk.
Not every used Trax model year deserves the same trust, and the gap between the best and worst years is bigger than most shoppers realize.
CarComplaints.com logged over 150 complaints and seven separate recalls for the 2015 Trax alone, largely tied to a transmission issue that let the vehicle roll on an incline even with the brake released. That is a genuinely different ownership experience than a 2021 or 2022 model with a handful of complaints and zero recalls on record.
Key Takeaways:
- The 2015 and 2016 model years carry the highest complaint and recall counts in the Trax’s history.
- 2018 and 2019 models were part of a suspension recall involving front control arm failure, which is worth verifying before you buy.
- 2020 marked a genuine reliability turning point for the first generation.
- 2021 and 2022 are widely considered the strongest first-generation years to buy used.
- The current second-generation Trax (2024 onward) is off to a clean start, though it has less accumulated data than the mature first generation.
Pro Tip: Run the VIN of any used Trax you are considering through NHTSA’s recall lookup tool before you commit, especially on 2018 and 2019 models. It takes less than a minute and tells you whether an open recall was ever addressed.
The 2015 and 2016 Trax Are the Years to Avoid Most
These are the two years that show up consistently across independent reliability sources as the ones to skip if you have a choice. The 2015 model’s most serious issue was a transmission problem that allowed the vehicle to roll on an incline even after the driver released the brake pedal, a genuine safety concern that generated seven separate recalls.
The 2016 model did not carry that specific rollaway issue, but it introduced its own problems across electrical systems, engine performance, and HVAC reliability, including air conditioning evaporator leaks that left owners with warm air only. Several sources rank 2016 as the least reliable Trax year overall, even ahead of 2015.
What was wrong with the 2015 Chevy Trax specifically? Its most serious issue was a transmission-related rollaway problem on inclines, which led to seven separate recalls, along with common A/C system failures.
Is the 2016 Trax worse than the 2015? By several measures, yes. It did not have the rollaway issue but introduced widespread electrical, engine, and HVAC problems that some sources rank as more serious overall.
Should I avoid 2015 and 2016 Trax models entirely? If you have other options, yes. These two years carry the highest complaint volumes in the Trax’s history, and the issues involved are not minor annoyances.
Pro Tip: Do not assume a clean-looking used Trax from 2015 or 2016 has avoided its era’s common issues. Cosmetic condition tells you little about whether the transmission, electrical, or HVAC problems common to these years have already surfaced or are still ahead.
2018 and 2019 Carry a Real Suspension Recall Worth Checking
By 2017 and 2018, Chevrolet had resolved some of the earliest problems, but a new issue emerged specifically on 2018 and 2019 models: a front control arm that could fail and partially separate from the vehicle, leading to a formal recall. This is a genuine safety issue, not a comfort or convenience complaint.
If you are considering a 2018 or 2019 Trax, confirming that this recall was actually completed is not optional. A used vehicle with an open, unaddressed recall on a suspension component is a real risk regardless of how good the rest of the vehicle looks.
What was the front control arm recall on the 2018 and 2019 Trax? The weld on the front control arm could fail, allowing partial separation from the vehicle and increasing the risk of a wheel-related accident, which prompted a formal recall.
How do I check if a used Trax had its recall completed? Use NHTSA’s VIN-based recall lookup tool, which shows open recalls for any vehicle regardless of where it is currently listed for sale.
Are 2018 and 2019 Trax models safe to buy if the recall was completed? If the recall repair is documented as completed, the specific control arm issue should no longer be a concern, though it remains worth confirming directly rather than assuming.
2020 Marked a Real Turning Point for the First Generation
This is the year most reliability sources point to as the first genuinely solid first-generation Trax. Chevrolet addressed earlier engine oil leak and overheating issues, and build quality improved noticeably, with tighter panel gaps and more consistent interior materials.
Owners of 2020 models report meaningfully fewer complaints than the 2015 through 2019 range, and it is often described as the point where the Trax became a dependable daily driver rather than a vehicle with known, unresolved issues.
What changed with the 2020 Chevy Trax specifically? Chevrolet resolved earlier engine oil leak and overheating problems and improved overall build quality, including tighter panel fit and more durable interior materials.
Is the 2020 Trax a safe used purchase? It is widely considered one of the better first-generation years, with meaningfully fewer reported issues than the 2015 through 2019 models.
Does the 2020 model have any of the earlier recall issues? No. The control arm recall was specific to 2018 and 2019 models, and the earlier electrical and HVAC issues from 2015 and 2016 had also been largely resolved by this point.
2021 and 2022 Are the Strongest First-Generation Years
If your budget points you toward a first-generation Trax, these are the two years worth targeting specifically. The 2021 model added a real safety technology upgrade, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring, along with improved interior materials.
The 2022 model, the final year of the first generation, carried that improvement forward with refreshed styling and updated infotainment. Independent reliability tracking shows both years scoring in the excellent range, with the 2022 model in particular showing very few recorded complaints and no recalls.
Is the 2021 Trax a good used buy? Yes. It added meaningful safety technology over earlier years and shows a strong reliability record with relatively few complaints on file.
Is the 2022 Trax better than the 2021? Both score well, but the 2022 model, being the final and most refined year of the first generation, shows an especially clean complaint and recall history.
Why are 2021 and 2022 considered the sweet spot for a used first-generation Trax? They combine the accumulated fixes from earlier problem years with added safety technology, without the higher price of the redesigned second generation.
Pro Tip: Ask specifically about maintenance records on any first-generation Trax with a turbocharged engine, regardless of model year. Neglected turbo engines on this platform can fail well before 100,000 miles, while well-maintained ones regularly exceed 150,000.
The Second-Generation Trax Starts With a Clean Track Record
The redesigned Trax that launched for 2024, after Chevrolet skipped the 2023 model year entirely, comes with a genuinely clean start. Independent reliability tracking shows the 2025 and 2026 model years scoring in the excellent range, with no recalls reported for either at this point.
The honest caveat is that this generation simply has less accumulated mileage and ownership history than the mature first generation. A clean record after a relatively short time on the road is a good sign, but it is not the same kind of evidence as years of data across hundreds of thousands of miles.
Is the new second-generation Trax reliable so far? Early data looks strong, with excellent reliability scores and no recalls reported for the 2025 and 2026 model years to date.
Should I trust the second-generation Trax as much as a well-reviewed first-generation year like 2022? It is reasonable to be optimistic, but the second generation has less long-term data simply because it has been on the road for less time.
What is different about the second-generation Trax compared to first-generation models? It brings a full redesign with more cargo space, a larger touchscreen, and Google Built-in, covered in more detail in our Trax cargo space guide.
Which Used Trax Year Actually Fits Your Situation
If you are working with a tight budget and want the most road-tested history behind your purchase, a 2021 or 2022 Trax is the strongest first-generation choice available. If your budget allows for more and you want the most current technology and cargo space, a 2024 or newer model delivers a meaningfully different vehicle, covered in our Trax cargo space and MPG guides.
Regardless of which year you choose, avoid 2015 and 2016 unless the price reflects real, documented risk, and never buy a 2018 or 2019 model without confirming the control arm recall was completed.
Pro Tip: Ask for the specific VIN before falling in love with a listing photo. A VIN lets you check recall status immediately, which matters more on a used Trax than on many other used vehicles given this model’s documented history.
What is the single best used Trax year for a tight budget? A 2021 or 2022 model offers the strongest combination of resolved reliability issues, added safety technology, and lower cost compared to the redesigned second generation.
Is it worth paying more for a second-generation Trax over a well-reviewed first-generation year? It depends on your priorities. The second generation offers more cargo space and current technology, while a 2021 or 2022 first-generation model offers a longer track record at a lower cost.
What is the one rule I should never break when buying a used Trax? Never buy a 2018 or 2019 model without confirming the control arm recall was completed, and avoid 2015 and 2016 models unless the price specifically reflects that documented risk.
Talk to Barry’s About Finding the Right Used Trax
Barry’s Chevrolet is a family-owned dealership in West Union, Ohio. We carry a rotating selection of used vehicles, and our team can walk you through the exact recall and maintenance history of any Trax you are considering before you commit to anything.
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