The engine turbocharger of certain 2017 Chevy Trax and 2018 Chevy Trax crossovers may fail during normal operation, according to a new bulletin from GM, with several problems resulting and replacement of the turbocharger by qualified service personnel required to restore proper engine function.
The affected 2017 and 2018 Chevy Trax models are powered by the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine, rated at 138 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 148 pound-feet of torque at 1,850 rpm. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for these Trax model years.
Failure of the turbocharger can reduce engine power as well as causing the engine run roughly. The “Check Engine” light will illuminate upon failure of the turbocharger regardless of whether these symptoms appear, and a diagnostic code will be generated as well. Dealer service personnel should also check the Investigate Vehicle History screen for the individual Chevy Trax in the GM Global Warranty Management system to verify involvement before beginning repairs.
Affected Chevy Trax crossovers are included in GM’s Special Coverage bulletin N232395330. This bulletin announces special coverage for this specific problem, entitling the owner to turbocharger replacement free of charge for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date the vehicle was put in operation.
For affected 2017 and 2018 Chevy Trax crossovers that were not repaired prior to February 14th, 2024, GM has instructed dealerships to replace the failed turbocharger free of charge. The fix requires a new turbocharger assembly as well as assorted seals, gaskets, nuts, bolts, and clamps. These parts should only be ordered when an affected vehicle is present and in need of repair. GM suggests the parts should not be ordered as shelf stock because of limited supply.
If a Chevy Trax owner already paid for turbocharger replacement because of this problem, they may be eligible for reimbursement from GM. The owner must submit a request through the dealer or other service provider for a refund of reasonable and normal service expenses related to the turbocharger issue only.
Inclusion of a Trax crossover in the special coverage extends availability of the free replacement to the end of the coverage period, as noted above. The Applicable Warranties section of the CUV’s Investigate Vehicle History will indicate the coverage as well.
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Comments
Never liked turbo for the long haul. Weak link.
Its not just 2017/2018 its happening in 2015. I have one.
This has always been an issue on the Trax. I’ve known some people to have had it replaced multiple times. This is not specific to the 17/18. These were just problematic engines.
Pretty rare failure rate. Easy DIY replacement with off the shelf parts easily bought. Good strong engine overall. I’ve owned several old and new variants and never had turbo issues.
I prefer non turbo to avoid these issues. It is becoming more difficult to find non turbo vehicles.
GM knew about this 5+ years ago. They make the dealer jump thru all kinds of hoops to cover it, but eventually they do. All the 1.4L will do it. My 2017 trax needed one at 90k as did my 2016 Cruz at roughly same milage. Owners actually should hope it needs it while the warranty is still good because it’s around 3500 out of warranty.
So they wont fix it out of warranty if they know its a problem they should have a recall on it instead my turbo is bad and i got a oil pan leak on my 18 trax with 72000 on it
So what should we expect all the little 3 cylinder motors will need turbos replaced before 100,000 miles as well or are these newer turbos improved ?
I read somewhere the 3 cyl had reliability issues, but I can’t remember what the issues were. It was serious enough that at the time I said I wouldn’t consider one.
They need to do a recall on the turbocharger for the 2018 chevy equinox also!!! Not even 60,000 miles on it.
I have a 2015 trax Chevy dealer told me the turbo is out so is the 2015 included to
Funny that the engine in the Buick was recalled. Same engine as the 2015 Chevy Trax and its not on the recall list
I also have a 2015 Trax..same problem,Is it covered also?
My garbage 1.4 in my 16 only has 156,000 miles on the original turbo. Now talk to be about the effin pcv system and I’ll have some words for ya. An intake and valve cover every time sucks
Yup, the valve covers on these go as well. Gives a code that looks like the turbo is gone again. Dealer said he would order one for me. Called me a week later, come in and get it done. Sat in their waiting room for 3 hours before they came out and admitted they hadn’t ordered it yet. Waited another month, my buddy bought one over the counter at lordco, installed it and all was well. Yet one MORE month later dealer phones me again, says we have it, come in. Told them I already did it, it’s working fine now. They still wanted $93 for, well, for nothing. Good luck. 2.5 months for a part that they know fails all the f time is just stupid. I drive a Honda now.
My 2018 is junk – I have had to replace the turbo charger, the valve cover, the turpentine belt, now the engine oil heater, the oil pan, the list just goes on and on. I think when they replaced the turbo charger, they bent and just broke everything. Hopefully I can get a few $$’s back on the turbo charger – bought this new thinking good vehicle and now just a crappie old money pit.
In 2021 I received a letter from GM saying the emission purge valve could fail. Even though my 2018 Chevy Trax was demonstrating all the malfunctions stating in the letter, the dealership said the problem detected was not under the special coverage program. This month, March 2024, I received another letter regarding the turbocharger. Then I took the car to the dealership, the dealership says that the problem is on the emission purge so this is not covered by the special coverage program. GM sent a letter offering no charge but unfortunately the dealership in both situations that I experienced will say that the car has another issue that is not covered. I am very disappointed 😔
How isn’t this classified as a recall? If the Turbo would’ve took a $hit while I was driving on the highway, it would ABSOLUTELY have been a safety concern. Luckily, my check engine light came on while I was home from a recent work assignment and I could get it to the dealership within 24 hours. I’m thankful to GM for taking responsibility, as the part/repairs are NOT cheap….but the parts are on back order, and my car has been sitting at the dealership for 25 days. They offered me a rental at no cost, which I am (once again) extremely thankful for! I’ve had this rental for 20 days now, and will only have it for another 10 days before I have to return it. After the 30 day mark, I will be responsible for my own rental, and I will still be making payments on a car that qualified for the free replacement (my car has 117K miles), but does not apparently qualify for any other offer or service because it is too far past the Power-train Warranty. This information is coming from my Chevrolet Case Worker. I now owe more than the vehicle is worth, and won’t get $hit for a trade in. I travel for work as a Fisheries Biologist in the Southeast Atlantic Region, so I’m either going to go broke paying for a rental, or I’m going to lose my job and then pretty much everything else! Also, the back-ordered parts issue is now on a global scale….which makes me feel that there is no end in sight. Please just pray for me. Please. I am honestly at a point where I don’t know what to do.
Because my Trax is above a certain mileage, they wouldn’t replace this for me. It was only over the limit a few hundred miles and I actually had it into an auto repair place twice before it was over the mileage, but the auto repair place that I went to failed to figure out that it was the turbo charger. I spent almost $2,000 and couldn’t afford any more. THEN I got the notice in the mail about the turbo charger and it was too late. I don’t understand the mileage rule. If it’s a known issue… fix it!
My 2018 trax turbo doesn’t work and not under warranty anymore as it has 131000 on it now. Is it covered and how do I go about getting it replaced
I have a 2018 Chevy trax.code reads turbo super charger with less than 40,000 miles.is my care cover under this warranty
My 2018 Trax has only 12,000 miles… since retirement I only drive locally, hence the low milage. The Engine light illuminated recently so I took it to Auto Zone for a diagnostic and the report come back with no diagnostic codes whatsoever… I did receive two letters from GM about the Turbocharger issue so I guess the dealer would be my next step. 🙁
My Turbo went out 2017 Trax 97000 they say I need a new motor because of lost compression, doesn’t want to cover new motor thanks GM