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2016 Chevrolet Trax

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Trax.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Chevrolet Trax is an SUV paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 34 mpg on the highway from an engine requiring a 3.7-4.0 oil capacity and 5W-30 or 0W-30 viscosity. That same engine sits at the center of the vehicle's trouble spots, leading the 116 total owner complaints and contributing to 5 separate recalls. Placed within the model's broader 2013-2026 complaint history, this year registers well above the lowest point of just 9 complaints in 2022, indicating that the 2016 Trax carries a notably higher reliability risk for researchers compared to more stable model years.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7-4.0OEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified

EPA fuel economy26/34/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25195777. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25195777 alt 55593191
Engine air filter	95021102
Spark plug	12681656
Battery	88866115 alt 88866291
Front wiper blades	42765840 alt 42765836
Serpentine belt	55595700
Thermostat	55565619 alt 25200455
Cabin air filter	13271190 alt 13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	167.7 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	100.8 in
Curb weight	3047 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	26 / 34 / 29 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Trax of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.0–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 2015 LTZ

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2015	LTZ 1.4L Turbo I-4	9.00 sec	16.80 sec	138 hp	FWD
2015	LT 1.4L Turbo I-4	9.30 sec	17.10 sec	138 hp	FWD
2015	LTZ 1.4L Turbo I-4	9.40 sec	17.20 sec	138 hp	AWD
2015	LT 1.4L Turbo I-4	9.80 sec	17.50 sec	138 hp	AWD
2015	LT 1.4L Turbo I-4	10.10 sec	17.50 sec	138 hp	AWD
2017	Premier 1.4L Turbo I-4	9.30 sec	17.10 sec	138 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7-4.0 of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 11.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.5-6.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.1 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.7 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · SAE 5W · synthetic · SAE 0W

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	6
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	71.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	2.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	217 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40-50
Engine Compression	TURBO / 174-203 PSI / Max Variation14.5 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.055 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Stamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	0.0001
Maximum Rotor Runout	0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

128

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Install a new nut and tighten to 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60

37 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	180 degrees	180 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 45,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Chevrolet Trax sits in the middle of the generation’s highest complaint and recall period. Complaints rose from zero in 2014 to 94 in 2015, then peaked at 116 for 2016 and remained elevated through 2019 (132 complaints) before dropping sharply after 2020. Recalls followed a similar arc, with 2015 leading at seven and 2016 close behind at five, while later model years (2017–2020) averaged two or fewer. The 2016 model also logged nine crash-related and two fire complaints, with engine issues being the top reported area (17 complaints). The data does not specify root causes for these trends, but the pattern shows the 2016 year falls on the early, more problematic side of the generation’s reliability curve. As a result, this is not a strong year to buy; later examples from 2018 onward offer notably fewer complaints and recalls.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1113

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

116

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 116 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine17

Air Bags9

Steering8

Unknown Or Other7

Power Train6

Electrical System,Engine5

Structure5

Service Brakes5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V652000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 12/09/2019

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… 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…

16V651000Air Bags:FrontalReported 08/09/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1113 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Trax. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 3.7-4.0 Engine oil filter 25195777 Engine air filter 95021102 Spark plug 12681656 Battery 88866115

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Trax take?

3.7-4.0 of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Trax have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Trax get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.