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2015 Chevrolet Trax

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Chevrolet Trax
Pictured: 2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS, front left, 12-10-2023. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4 Ls/Lt/Ltz Dr SUV, Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 26 city / 34 hwy
Length
167.7 in
Curb weight
3,047–3,254 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 21% better than the average 2015 small SUV (24 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 168 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,047 lb (4 Ls/Lt/Ltz Dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 34 highway), 21% better than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4 Ls/Lt/Ltz Dr SUV167.7 in70.1 in65.7 in100.8 in60.6 / 60.6 in3,047 lb60/40
Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV167.7 in70.1 in65.7 in100.8 in60.6 / 60.6 in3,254 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Trax1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+21%$2,300310
Trax AWD1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27+19%$2,500333
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Trax (this car)29 MPGNot rated7
2015 Hyundai Tucson25 MPGNot rated2
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan23 MPGNot rated4
2015 Kia Sportage23 MPGNot rated2
2015 Jeep Compass25 MPGNot rated1
2015 Subaru Crosstrek31 MPGNot rated1
2015 Jeep Renegade27 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (7)

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Sep 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V652000 · 93,722 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
Risk
A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jul 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 8, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Electrical System › Software · Jun 10, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V422000 · 18,780 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Electrical System › Software · Apr 28, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V257000 · 317,572 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Mar 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V162000 · 19,831 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."
Risk
If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V146000 · 2,295 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
Risk
The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Trax is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

96Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
13Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
36,917 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System23
Engine22
Power Train18
Unknown Or Other14
Steering13
Air Bags12
Service Brakes8
Suspension7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/11: 220/12: 221/01: 221/08: 121/09: 321/10: 121/11: 122/02: 122/04: 122/06: 122/08: 122/09: 123/06: 123/07: 123/09: 123/12: 324/04: 124/07: 125/05: 125/10: 125/11: 126/03: 126/08: 126/09: 120/1121/0821/1122/0623/0623/1225/0526/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Trax buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 22 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 18 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,917 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Trax years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Trax30178.7 inNot rated017
2025 Trax30178.7 in★★★★★198
2024 Trax30178.7 in★★★★★1180
2022 Trax27167.3 in★★★★★09
2021 Trax28167.3 in★★★★★025
2020 Trax28167.3 in★★★★★098
2019 Trax28167.3 in★★★★★2136
2018 Trax28167.3 in★★★★★2102
2017 Trax28167.3 inNot rated3114
2016 Trax29167.7 inNot rated5120

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →