2020 Chevrolet Trax

My 2020 Chevrolet Trax has experienced recurring brake problems for approximately two years. The issue involves the brake pedal becoming unusually resistant and the vehicle failing to brake normally when I apply the pedal. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection. My first known documented occurrence was August 21, 2024, one day after I picked up the vehicle from AutoNation Chevrolet. I had dropped it off July 29, 2024, and picked it up August 20, 2024, after it was diagnosed and repaired for reduced-power issues, including shaking while driving. On August 21, 2024, I was driving normally when I attempted to brake. The brake pedal suddenly became resistant and the vehicle would not stop normally. I repeatedly pressed the brake pedal without resolving the problem. I pulled the emergency brake and waited. Approximately five minutes later, the dashboard displayed a “Service StabiliTrak” warning, along with the ABS and check-engine lights. After the warning lights appeared, the brakes began functioning normally again. This is the first occurrence I personally documented on my phone to my knowledge. Over the past two years, I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and/or Big O Tires approximately 15 times for service and repairs, including work I was told could help resolve the issue. These visits also included routine services such as tires, oil changes, and emissions testing. Despite repeated service and recommended repairs, the brake problem continues. The vehicle is currently at the dealership as of August 11, 2026, being diagnosed for the same recurring brake issue. This problem has repeatedly placed my safety, the safety of my 6-year-old child, and the safety of other drivers and pedestrians at serious risk. The intermittent loss of normal braking makes it difficult to safely stop or avoid a collision. I have repeatedly sought professional assistance, but the underlying issue has not been permanently resolved.

The manual parking brake system (hand lever) failed to adequately restrain the vehicle when fully engaged. The component is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk because the vehicle failed to remain securely parked with the parking brake fully engaged. If parked on an incline, this defect creates a risk of the vehicle rolling and causing an accident. Additionally, a fully functional parking brake is a critical emergency braking backup system, which is compromised by this malfunction. I have not gotten to a dealer to get it checked yet. There was a warning light eventually. After a couple of times, I pushed on the accelerator once I realized the parking brake was on. I turned it off. It was only when I noticed it was a bit jankey when attempting to reverse is when i noticed it

I am not sure of what actual component(s) failed, but I do know that a brake line that had braided steel broke and spewed brake fluid failed- this line comes off the master cylinder to ABS module. Mechanic attempted replacement and there is still no pressure in the brake line. Mechanic believes it is the brake booster now that caused the line failure to occur. The vehicle and components are available for inspection. What happened was that when I was driving on a city road at 35 MPH, a vehicle in front of me was driving reckless and when I changed lanes I approached a traffic signal that changed to yellow and when I went to slow i felt a pop in the brake pedal and the pedal went all the way to the floor and i was unable to stop when the light changed to red and rolled through the intersection. I was able to finally stop approximately 300 feet after applying the brakes. There were no warning indicators or lamps that illuminated prior to this occurring and as a result of the brake failure a collision was narrowly avoided.

This is the either 5th or 6th complaint for this vehicle. I am making after almost 6 months, most of which my car has been in the dealership. The brakes locked up in the parking lot at my bank, I noticed the signs that it was about to lock up and pulled into the parking lot before it threw a code. I was in fact on the phone with the dealership when it happened. They sent their tow truck and as of today the car has now been in their possession for 3 weeks. I got a call from the dealership telling me they are replacing the brake booster. This car now has over 2,700.00 in new parts, this doesn't count the labor cost. This includes, coil pack, plugs, master cylinder, fuse box, abs module and related pressure valve and brake switch. The manager said they are running out of ideas and parts to replace. When I asked him what happens if this still doesn't fix it, he said that that situation was to unheard of to consider. I pointed out that if the dealership can't find the problem then GMC needs to step up because I still have 3 years left to pay for this car and that eventually there either have already been others who've died or there will be in the future, because unless this car is defective, it can't be the only one like this. I wonder how many people have died from this and it just wasn't caught that this problem caused it. I also explained that my next step would be to find a lawyer.

This is the 5th time my car has broken down with this problem, the brakes lock up on the highway and the "stabilitrak" service light comes on. (suspension) This time there was a gasoline tanker right behind me. If this man hadn't been such an experienced tanker driver, I would now be a bloody spot on the highway, my kids would be without their mom, my husband widowed and my grandchildren would have to be happy just hearing stories about me. I would be in the local grave yard, six feet under. So far, I have had a new fuse block, master cylinder, coil pack with plugs, abs module, pressure valve and a new brake switch. That was as of 2 weeks ago, my car broke down again last night, as reported above. My car, which I just made a payment of $635.00, and is just now at 51,000 miles is less than 3 years old. I am truly afraid to drive it, I don't know who to contact at Chevrolet or GMC there has to be some kind of recourse or are they not able to fix the BRAKES on a car???

This is the second complaint I have filed, but it is the 3rd time my car has been at the dealership for the same thing. The brakes lock up without warning and the traction control error light and stabilitrak error light come on. This time the transmission didn't go into limp mode it just shut down. The 1st repair, dealership told me that it was a corroded fuse block. I paid to repair that. The day the car was released back to me, it broke down, required towing 3 miles after I left the dealership. I towed it back. They said they couldn't find problem, I told them to drive exact same route, they did, it locked up again. Mechanic then said the master cylinder was binding up on the inside and it was replaced. Six weeks later it failed the same way again, had it towed. Dealership said it was the abs module and a valve, replaced those. They put a rush on it as it was right before Christmas, two days after Christmas it broke down again. It is currently at the dealership, and I was told that they can't figure out what's wrong with it????? Each time it has locked up, I have been in traffic, once doing 70 mph highway, once doing 60 mph highway I managed to pull off but then blocked an on ramp to a bridge on a highway, once going uphill in town at 35 mph. Each time I narrowly missed hitting other people and once almost got run over by a gasoline tanker. In any of these events I could have either died or killed someone else. Each time there was no warning at all, no lights, noises or anything. Even if I get my car back, I will be terrified to drive it. My husband said, and I quote, "I will bleed through my eyes before I buy another Chevy" end quote. My local dealership is doing everything they can, but I am getting frustrated, because sometimes they have a loaner car and sometimes they don't. I work two jobs, since my husband got sick with covid-19 last year and spent 10 days on a ventilator. He can't work like he used to, so I am picking up the slack, please help us.

My car brakes locked down while I was driving home from work, at 70 mph, posted speed limit. I got it to the dealership, it started out that it was a broken wire, now they tell me I need a new fuse box and it's not covered. My car was purchased in may of 2020 and has 47k miles on it. The repairs have gone from 412.00 dollars, not including the tow bill to 719.00 dollars, not including the tow bill. A fuse box shorting out at two years old, and locking down the brakes is absurd. I work at a trucking company and have 40+ years experience with no tickets or accidents, I don't know how my car didn't flip forward it stopped so hard, it's hard to think about what would have happened to someone with less driving experience than I have trying to control a car in the same instance. Please check on this, if you need to know, my car is now at Don Hall Chevrolet in Ashland KY, ph. 606-618-9616, my car is in their service center.