Some units of the Chevy Trax equipped with the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine may exhibit engine performance issues in cold weather. Now, a few potential causes for these issues has been identified, with GM offering the following solutions to be performed by a dealer technician.
According to a recent report from GM TechLink, units of the 2012 through 2022 Chevy Trax equipped with the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine may exhibit a loss of power or other engine performance issues in extremely cold weather. The performance issues may diminish after driving for a period of time, and it’s possible that an oil leak may spring from seals and gaskets as a result of an increase in crankcase pressure.
The engine performance issues may occur in conjunction with a Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), while the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be triggered as well:
- P00C7 (Intake Air Pressure Measurement System – Multiple Sensors Not Plausible)
- P0236 (Turbocharger Boost Sensor Performance)
- P0299 (Engine Underboost)
- P0234 (Engine Overboost)
- P2227 (Barometric Pressure (BARO) Sensor Performance)
- P2261 (Turbocharger Bypass Valve Stuck)
Per the report from GM TechLink, the issues could result from ice blockage in the engine bay. GM technicians are instructed to check for blockage around the crankcase vent tube and intake manifold, including around the PCV passage in the cylinder head. Ice accumulation may also be found in the charge air cooler restricting air flow to the throttle body, and the charge air bypass valve may be contaminated as well.
To fix these issues, GM recommends that a technician disassemble and clean the charge air bypass valve if it’s contaminated. The intake manifold and charge air bypass valve may need to be replaced as well.
If the Chevy Trax’s turbocharged engine is not producing the correct level of boost and no issues are discovered with the turbocharger or turbo wastegate actuator, GM does not recommend replacing the turbocharger. Rather, technicians should clear the charge air bypass valve of any possible moisture or oil accumulation on the vacuum side port, and the intake manifold should be replaced as well. The intake manifold should also be replaced if contamination from the cylinder head, PCV pipes, or cam cover is found.
To note, similar issues and related fixes were also identified for the 2012 through 2020 Chevy Sonic, 2011 through 2016 Chevy Cruze, and 2013 through 2021 Buick Encore when equipped with the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine.
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Comments
A few too many GM’s 2.4 from around 2010-2013 was prone to frozen pcv passages. A decade later the 1.5L. Sometimes it’s hard to root for this company.
That’s why garages are so nice to have to park your vehicle in.
Is this going to be a recall? I’m tired of paying for parts and my trax still isnt fixed
Does anybody know if there is recalls for this problem
Another day, another article detailing the incompetence of GM. This is NOT the age of iced up carburators; electronic fuel injection cured that problem once and for all. Only these incompetents at GM can design 1960’s Carburator Icing into a modern, computer controlled, electronic fuel injection system.
And when your warranty runs out, the owner of the car can play Dealership Mechanic on their own, cause they will have to “disassemble and clean the charge air bypass valve if it’s contaminated. The intake manifold and charge air bypass valve may need to be replaced as well.”, cause their “fix” does not address the problem, it only gets you back on the road again on your way to the next Fuel Injection Freeze-Up.
Very disturbing. Who needs this?!
And why is gm not fixing this problem instead of having the customer pay for this!
Wow talk about a flashback. I had the same icing up the PVC problem on my brand new at the time 1975 VW Sirocco. VW installed a whole new intake assembly. Almost 50 years later this basic engineering 101 problem still exists? Don’t the old time engineers talk to the new engineers or are they still pretending to work from home? Mary is correct, get their asses back to work in the offices.
It says, “According to a recent report from GM TechLink, units of the 2012 through 2022 Chevy Trax equipped with the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine may exhibit a loss of power or other engine performance issues in extremely cold weather.”
Define “extremely cold weather”. Down here in the South, that’s anything below 40 degrees.
I love finding this out after we have the coldest winter storm in Michigan in December. I had some battery issues in November during the first cold spell and the battery CCA that came with it is abysmal. It’s only 438 CCA, and the dealership from which I lease the vehicle couldn’t get me in until nearly a month later. So since I work for a place that deals with car batteries I just yanked it out and charged it, only for me to start having problems again this month with this battery. This was even with me going out twice a day during the big winter storm and letting it run for 30 freaking minutes. Now I see that there are other problems revolving around this Trax and I’m concerned about what this will mean for me in the long run.
Thank you for the article, I’ll be printing this out to present to the guy running tests on my battery this week. I want him to check these other issues while its in shop.
The first time your battery acted up, it was on it’s way out. The only positive remedy is outright replacement. I’m happy with the AGM gel battery’s…..expensive, for sure, but their life is far longer than your standard lead acid battery. I recommend the Odyssey AGM gel batteries as I have one in my Colorada and Fiat 500 Abarth. In my Opel GT, I got 10 years out of my Orbital AGM gel battery….
2020 trax here LS, Wyoming cold deffinatly messed mine up I have to replace the turbo sensor and I don’t even have 45k miles on it wish I knew this before I bought it or I never would have…. I’m original owner
Why hasn’t there been a recall? Fix the problem GM! When its cold outside my car is stalling out and dying while trying to get my kids to school. I’ve been to two mechanics and spent over $400 trying to fix the problem.
Having issues with my Engine Turbo Underboost on my 2020 Chevy Trax causing my check engine light to turn on. Please make this a recall GM!
My 2018 Chevy Trax cylinder went out and now I have to buy a new engine. Very disappointed in this vehicle it only has 80,000 miles on it and almost paid. I love my car but truly disgusted!!!
GM needs to own up and warranty the 2020 Trax 1.4L LUV Turbo along with all the other model yr Trax Sonic Cruze and Buicks that have recalls or Special Bulletin to repair at no charge.
I bought my Chevy Trax had it one week and back to the shop it went with 10,000 miles on it for icing up. It’s an annual thing. I have had the car two years and it’s been in the shop for serious issues three times. This time catalytic converter needed replaced and leaking oil from seals. Gave me a brand new Equinox for loaner and the light sensors don’t work right they just randomly go from bright to dim. Also shifted to low for now reason. Good luck with your GM.