Faults:

Turbo system, CAC or intercooler, catalytic converter, PCV system, fuel system, poor fuel economy.

General Comments:

I bought the car new in Sept 2021, bought it for price and fuel economy (commuting to work). The car started have issues right at the first oil change. I live in central Alberta where winter temps can get to -30 to -40 Celsius. As soon as it got cold out, the CAC (charge air cooler) would freeze, over pressure problem and blow the crank seal on motor and puke oil all over the side of the road. Also during the cold winter months the car has somewhat erratic shifting, increased fuel consumption, and fuel smell from exhaust (burning rich).

In the 2 years I've owned the car I've had the CAC fail 4 times or every cold snap. The last time it put oil in the catalytic converter as well and ruined it.

So in this post COVID world there are supply chain issues. GM does not have parts available, which means I get a loaner car from a third party rental. Always a Chevy Spark. The last rental I had was for 5 months.

I compiled all my invoices and rental car receipts for the last two years; GM warranty has paid $18,000 trying to get this problem sorted out on my car (the car cost $22,988 BTW).

I have complained to the dealership, GM corporate and and have a file with 1-800-GMDRIVE. All were useless for the most part.

The rest of the year the car works OK; it cannot handle cold weather, it is a car that should not be sold in Canada or northern states.

I also own a 1988 GMC 3/4 ton that has 389,000 km and no probs working in cold weather.

When I bought this Trax I bought the extended warranty to 160,000km and bought a dealer maintenance package. After finally getting my car back May 6, 2023 (was at dealer since Dec 22, 2022) after two weeks while going to a clay shoot event, the car had a check engine, turbo underboost, PVC fail and car was in limp mode on the way back home.

That Monday I went to the dealer and got quite vocal and said I'm fed up. Dealer manager agreed to increase my trade in and lower the price of a used car by $5000 (2020 Grand Caravan) and was able to transfer my warranty and maintenance package to that used car.

Also, I have an elderly neighbor on my street, he has a slightly larger Chev Equinox also with a turbo engine and he has the exact same problems as me.

In closing, if anyone is reading, don't buy this car, don't buy any GM turbo engine (which is most of their current line up except for full size trucks).

In my nearly 32 years of owning cars I've owned a Pontiac Trans Am, 2 Buick Regals, Pontiac 6000, Olds Cutlass Ciera, and a Silverado.

I can honestly say except for my 1988 truck I'm keeping, I'm never buying a GM again...