The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
In owners' words
My car is literally spuddering technically skipping then, jerking back. It's a safety hazard already almost hit a couple cars because, its jerking I need help trying to get my car changed out. This is a huge defect on the car. Please helpp
2015 Chevrolet Trax owner · NHTSA complaint
Left red light on major hwy. Car stuck in first gear. Took MI turn around and no power steering. Limped home in first gear. Internet says there was a recall for 2014-15 Trax for same problems; Dealer says there's not, and told me to drive it there in 1st gear to check it out !
2015 Chevrolet Trax owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Chevrolet Trax years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Chevrolet Trax years are 2015, 2016, 2020.
What are common Chevrolet Trax transmission problems?
Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, slipping, shudder.
Which Chevrolet Trax years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Chevrolet Trax years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2018, 2021, 2025.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Chevrolet Trax reliability by year. How we count