Chevrolet Trax VIN Number Check

Decode a Chevrolet Trax VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKL73GN

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Trax

About the Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet has sold the Trax in the US since the 2015 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2015–2022), and the Gen 2 took over for 2024–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns and 972 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2019 and 2016 model years alone account for 254 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 26–29 mpg combined, while the Gen 2 gets 29–30 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2015–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2

NHTSA recall campaigns11

Owner complaints972 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Trax photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Trax generations

Two generations since the 2015 model year. The Gen 1 (2015–2022) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (9).

2 / 2

Gen 2

2024–20262nd generation

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201520202025

2024–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 2 · 2nd generation

PlatformGM VSS-F

EPA combined mpg29–30

NHTSA recalls2

Engines (EPA)

1.2 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2024–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
automatic (2024–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (98)Engine and cooling (72)Forward collision avoidance (24)

Mentions in 279 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 2KL77LHE2?RC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Chevrolet Trax 1LT, built in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-Do

Check a Trax VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Trax model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 11 campaigns on file for Trax model years 2015–2026, and the 2015 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2016 (5). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Trax owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2024 and 2019 hold 309 of the 972 complaints, or 32%. Tap any bar or generation.

972NHTSA complaints, 2015–2026

76mention a crash

25mention a fire

67injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 279 complaints · most for the 2024 (175)

Top complaint areas · Gen 2

Mentions in 279 complaints, 2024–2026.

Electrical system98

Engine and cooling72

Forward collision avoidance24

Brakes21

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)20

Exterior lighting18

Crashes 22Fires 11Injuries 33

2024–2026 (Gen 2)

NHTSA data summary

The 2024 is the outlier. On its own it has 175 of the ’s 279 complaints (63%), more than any other Trax model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (98 mentions), then engine and cooling (72).

What Trax owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2024–present (2nd generation)

Owner data is thin for this generation. NHTSA complaints on the 2024 are mostly electrical, including screens that go black and software update prompts while driving, and some owners report engine failure. CarComplaints has only a handful of reports, led for 2025 by a starter that shorted out and damaged the fuse box and fuel injectors that set off the check engine light. A recall covers 2024 models whose instrument panel display may go blank at startup or while driving. [1] [2]

2015–2022 (1st generation)

Complaints are moderate for this generation. On the 2016 and 2019, NHTSA owners mention check engine lights, turbocharger trouble, steering and suspension issues. CarComplaints ranks A/C that does not work properly first for 2016, followed by engine failure and peeling paint. Recalls cover front lower control arm joints on 2015–2019 models that may have been improperly welded and can break, and power steering circuit board wear on some 2015 models. [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the control arm and steering recalls on 2015–2019 models and the instrument display recall on 2024 models.
Ask for turbocharger and A/C repair records.
On the drive, check that the A/C blows cold, watch for a check engine light or a blank display and listen for clunks from the front suspension.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Trax complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Trax version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

972complaints, 2015–2026

76mention a crash

25mention a fire

67injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2024 (175), 2019 (134), 2016 (120)

2024 · 175 complaints

Crashes 9 · fires 7 · injuries 17

Electrical system65

Engine51

Unknown or other24

Exterior lighting17

Power train14

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Trax CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 23 Trax versions for model years 2015–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 296 g/mi (2026). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12015–2022

26–29 mpg · CO₂ 310–344 g/mi

Gen 22024–2026

29–30 mpg · CO₂ 296–306 g/mi

Model year2025

30combined MPG

296CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,250EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Trax · Auto 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo — 30 MPG · 296 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Trax vs Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2024–2026. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Trax, against 4 for the Honda HR-V and 6 for the Hyundai Kona. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet TraxGen 2

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 279
EPA combined mpg: 29–30
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.2 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 98
Engine and cooling 72
Forward collision avoidance 24

Honda HR-V

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 4
NHTSA owner complaints: 169
EPA combined mpg: 27–28
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 67
Forward collision avoidance 25
Electrical system 22

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2024–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 6
NHTSA owner complaints: 105
EPA combined mpg: 26–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 54
Forward collision avoidance 17
Engine and cooling 13

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Trax VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Trax

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Green Chevrolet Trax (second generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Trax VIN on the plate at the base of the driver's side windshield, confirmed by the door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2024 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (R for 2024) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Trax VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Trax model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2024 leads with 175, ahead of the 2019 (134) and 2016 (120). Those first two alone make up 32% of the 972 Trax complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Trax had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 11 vehicle campaigns for model years 2015–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 9. Then come the Gen 2 (2), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Trax generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2015–2022 and the Gen 2 2024–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (R is 2024).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Trax get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2024–2026 Gen 2 at 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 26–29 mpg for the 2015–2022 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Trax compare with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona on recalls?

For 2024–2026 models the Trax has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 4, the Hyundai Kona 6. Complaints run 279, 169 and 105 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chevrolet Trax have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Trax 4 stars overall. One version, Chevrolet Trax Early Release SUV FWD, is rated. NHTSA lists 2 versions for that year, 1 of them rated.

Other Chevrolet models

Check another Chevrolet model

Silverado Equinox Malibu Traverse Colorado Tahoe

Chevrolet Trax VIN Number Check

About the Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax generations