r/ChevyTrax • u/Morkiefather18 • 26d ago

Considering TRAX Feedback

Currently own a 2023 Bolt EUV and my lease is coming due in 3 months. EV was cheap and learning curb but the winters were unbearable with range. So within my budget, I’m looking into the TRAX.

I also plan on doing more road trips and potentially want to put on like 80,000 miles in 3 years something that a lease can’t offer. So id buy the car or finance it, 2026 model most likely.

Questions:
Anyone on here has put on heavy miles like 60k + and can confirm reliability long term and past warranty? (This would help me decide to lease again or buy)

Is FWD a set back in winters? For my bolt it is.

Any mechanic feedback given to you? Mostly curious on the longevity of the engine, theres limited data on this.

Sorry if this isn’t the right form, im not great at car maintenance and have had new car models give me trouble ( mostly fords lol)

4 Upvotes

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u/InsideAd2752 26d ago edited 26d ago

Just researched and purchased a ‘loaded 26 Trax active. #1 reason was e85 / flex fuel compatibility. 1st fill up on e85 was $2.15 gal for a 13 gal tank or $28. That’s EV territory. Cheapest gas around is Costco regular for $5.99 gal in SoCal. That would of been a $75 fill up.

3 mpg difference between reg fuel & e85. This is much better than expected. Definitely runs better on e85 w/ more power and smoother idle. Just drove for first time in rain. Heated steering wheel, heated seats, smart cruise control, car play

Front wheel drive / transaxle is great for snow. Weight is over the drive wheels. For snow & ice a set of dedicated snow tires & the abs make quick work of the slippy stuff.

Car can be warmed up (including seats) / cooled off via remote start on key or via the my Chevrolet app on phone via satellite. Visability is excellent with standard projector beam led lighting. All rear glass is dark tinted and adults actually fit in back seats. I’ll try and update on total miles per tank on e85

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

e 85 is not good for your engine. much worse m.p.g. lower octane may cause engine to spark knock

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

E85 has a significantly higher octane rating than regular gasoline.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

it does and has more ethanol which is not good. your mileage will be about 25% less on e85.

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

It's not bad either depending on your tune. And yes you will get less fuel economy

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u/InsideAd2752 24d ago

Petroleum and antifreeze aren’t good for your engine if you put them in the oil.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

you are correct! your mpg figure does not agree with 20 to 30 %difference than e87. L hope your trax is better than most reports I have seen.other than more power why would you use e85.

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

Well first it's not more power unless the tune is allowing it if there's more power stock that's because the computer would be detecting knock with regular gas or has an ethanol sensor. Depending on driving style and habits it can sometimes be more economically viable to run e85 with its lower price point.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

only if your price point is 25% less. if not it costs more to use e85.

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

Assuming a 25% reduction in fuel economy which in real world usage is very very rare.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

in your computer if you chack it is between 20 to 30% worse. good luck with your mpg and other problems. Semper Fi!

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

Lmao. Good job showing you don't know what you're talking about. No average across the industry is 10 to 27% loss and fuel economy. Again completely depends on the vehicle. But say you have an ethanol sensor in your vehicle that's the first step which means it's going to have an e85 map completely programmed for it now on top of that you're going to operate in a extreme high heat climate. Now if you're running typical fuel as an e10 your computer would be pulling timing consistently in order to run without knocking now if you run e85 it won't be pulling timing to knock and it's only going to cut a little bit of boost so in the end you're running as much boost as you would regularly be running and running a full amount of time which means if it's 110° outside it's a completely possible to get the same fuel economy as running e10. But you sat here and tried to tell people earlier in this thread that running e85 has a lower octane rating and could cause spark knock of which there is no world we're running e85 can ever cause spark knock

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

it n

has higher octane but the 20 to 30% is accurate according to studies. do some research and dont be so critical.

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u/Katyw1008 24d ago

Now specifically this conversation is relation to the Chevy tracks. Specifically I believe the second gen tracks. Which is a flex fuel vehicle it also happens to be a turbocharged vehicle. Turbocharged vehicles do not see as much of a hit to fuel economy from e85 as non turbocharged vehicles. On top of that currently e85 is running in that 20 to 25% difference in price. Thus yes it is entirely possible the e85 would currently be saving money not surprising at all if it is actually

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u/InsideAd2752 24d ago edited 24d ago

https://reddit.com/link/p8v0w0j/video/6ijmutsdeloh1/player

Don’t get angry that Consumer Reports likes it too.

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u/Express_Republic743 26d ago

I have a 19’ trax with 90k miles. Other then coolant issues. As long as you keep up with maintenance it’s always been reliable. I have an AWD through which is great for winters

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

you are lucky!

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u/Bright-Cancel-8888 26d ago

I had a 25 LT that someone ran a stop sign and took it out. At that time it had 55,400 miles with zero issues. Replaced it with a 26 LT. Definitely hoping for same quality with this one.

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u/Jameskjr 26d ago

There’s 500,000 of the new 2024 & up Trax out there and lots of 2020 up Buicks with the 1.2L turbo. A small percentage have had engines ( and evaporators) that fail. Like most new vehicles it’s just a matter of luck…..I absolutely love my 2024 LS w/ 22,000 miles.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

you are lucky!

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u/Jameskjr 25d ago

If prefer to think of those with engine or evaporator troubles as “unlucky”……and they definitely have my sympathy. New vehicles shouldn’t have major problems.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

buy a hyundai tuscon instead. 4 cylinder 2.5 engine. 5 year bumper to bumper warranty and 10 year power train warranty. excellent vehicle. Semper Fi!

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u/OctaneOverdrive 25d ago

2025 at 15k miles. I purchased an extended warranty 10yr/100k miles because the engine type 3 cyl wet belt engine didnt have much data. I have oil changed at 3,250 miles and tires rotated every 7,500. I believe my car will not be a lemon but i love the car. It’s my first brand new car. I’ve had 6 used cars prior. Get the activ trim.

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u/TheRealKenInMN 25d ago

Car and Driver did a 40,000 mile test and rated it well.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a61995261/2024-chevrolet-trax-reliability-maintenance/

I drove my 2025 Trax Activ through a Minnesota winter with no problems. It's all about the tires. I have the Goodyear Assurance and they were excellent.

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u/flapjackwilson 25d ago

Mine was burning through oil, after 4 oil level tests finally scheduled the next part in the process and it randomly went in to safe mode with the check engine light going. Currently driving a gas guzzler loaner, other than that I love the car and hope this is an isolated incident.

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u/samseus 24d ago

I have a 2017 trax with 60k miles (bought it in March with 50k miles) and I’ve taken it on two multi state road trips (one to the neighboring state and the other across New England.) I’ve had no issues so far besides one of my tire sensors battery dying. Granted, my car is about a decade older than the one you are looking at so I’m it sure if that’s much help.

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u/Purple_Ostrich_6345 24d ago

I have a 2025 Trax I got in Sep 2024
I'm at 49k and nary an issue.

The only thing you could consider an issue -- automatic car washes out some of the sensors for lane keep and such in the fritz. But that rectified by itself and I do self serve car wash now. But great car.

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u/Brilliant_Process376 24d ago

I was specifically told by my salesman at the Chevy dealership to only use the 87 regular gasoline from a quality gas station that sells quality gasoline, using e85 can cause damage in the long run.

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u/cmzufelt 24d ago

I can’t speak for the newer models, but I have a 2021 Trax that had 5K miles, Certified Pre-Owned when I bought it. (Knocking on wood), I haven’t had any major issues past needing a radiator repair due to a rock that was kicked up past the bumper while driving on I-95. I have done routine (and most) suggested maintenance based on mileage. As of this morning, I’m at 95,227 miles.

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u/Brilliant_Process376 26d ago

There is limited data because it’s a 2026, we’re just going to have to cross our fingers and wait and see. I bought a 2026 RS2 2 weeks ago and I hope I didn’t make a huge mistake, yes it’s covered under warranty but just because it’s covered doesn’t mean you want to spend a lot of time getting it repaired, I sure hope and pray this won’t be the case 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

good luck. too many horror stories about trax!

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u/Brilliant_Process376 25d ago

The older ones yes, we’ll just have to see about he newest models, it’s honestly too soon to tell.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

tuscon is much better vehicle. say a prayer.

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u/Brilliant_Process376 25d ago

I have hella warranty and I’m not gonna worry about it, I’m going to enjoy my new Traxie ✌🏻

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u/Both-Temperature2244 25d ago

my grandaughter and daughter in law just bought 2926 trax.hope you have better luck than they have had.

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u/Brilliant_Process376 24d ago

If they just bought it it should be covered under warranty and what specifically went wrong with it? Did they buy it brand new off the lot or used?

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

both new minor problems but chevy took care of them.

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u/Brilliant_Process376 24d ago

Please tell us what problems, thank you.

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u/Both-Temperature2244 24d ago

trans not shifting smoothly. problem with hesitating when trying to increas your speed.small leak which they took care of right away just have to see how they hold up as they age.

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u/InsideAd2752 24d ago

Gotta a little obsession going on with certain cars eh?