caryle

2018 Chevrolet Trax maintenance schedule

The 2018 Trax is part of the Gamma II generation (2015-2022), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2018 Trax needs, and when

All 12 of these items come from Chevrolet's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Chevrolet's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

OLM dictated

7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter45,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter22,500 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid45,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Severe

45,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs60,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt97,500 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid

AWD

45,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve (LUV)

Highly failure-prone

97,500 miManufacturer
12V batteryInspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-30 dexos1, 4.2 qt
Coolant
Dex-Cool
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI

Powertrains in this generation

  • 1.4L 4-cyl (LUV), 138 hp, 6-speed auto, FWD/AWD
  • 1.4L 4-cyl (LE2), 155 hp, 6-speed auto, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2018 Trax owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

PCV valve / valve cover

high severity

50,000-90,000 mi · $600-$1,440 to fix

Whistling noise, blown main seals

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Suspension

NHTSA 19V652000

September 2019

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.

Remedy: 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.

Suspension

NHTSA 19V312000

April 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 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.

Remedy: 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 June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$660
Five years of maintenance
$3,720
The major service near 100,000 mi
$1,440

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Trax model years

VSS-F (2024-2026)

202420252026

Gamma II (2015-2022)

20152016201720182019202020212022

Shopping new? The Chevrolet Trax guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Trax for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2018 Trax earns before you buy it.

Start your fleetBuying one for yourself

Free to start. No card, and we never sell your details to a dealer.