Struggling to start your Chevy Trax after filling up the tank? That annoying check engine light won’t go away? You’re probably dealing with a faulty purge valve—a tiny part causing big headaches for Trax owners across multiple model years. Here’s everything you need to know about the recall coverage, how to get it fixed for free, and what to do if your car isn’t covered.
What’s Actually Wrong With the Chevy Trax Purge Valve?
The purge valve in your Trax is part of the emissions system. It controls fuel vapors from your gas tank, letting them burn in the engine instead of polluting the air. When it fails, it gets stuck open—like leaving a door ajar when you meant to close it.
This tiny malfunction creates two massive problems. First, your engine gets flooded with fuel vapors at the wrong times, making it run rough or stall. Second, after you fuel up, all those displaced vapors rush into your intake manifold. Try starting your car, and it cranks forever because the mixture is too rich to ignite.
The P0496 trouble code is the telltale sign. Your car’s computer literally catches the valve flowing vapors when it’s supposed to be shut tight. You might also see P0171 (system too lean) if the valve acts like a vacuum leak, or P0442/P0455 codes indicating EVAP system leaks.
Is There an Official Chevy Trax Purge Valve Recall?
Here’s where it gets tricky. GM hasn’t issued a traditional safety recall—they’ve done something called “Special Coverage” instead. It’s like an extended warranty for this specific part.
The difference matters. A recall means GM contacts every owner and fixes every vehicle, whether it’s broken or not. Special Coverage only kicks in if your valve actually fails within the coverage window. If it breaks outside that window, you’re paying out of pocket.
Which Model Years Are Covered?
GM released several Special Coverage bulletins, and figuring out which applies to your Trax requires checking your specific year:
2016-2017 Trax: Covered under Special Coverage N192210240 for 10 years or 120,000 miles. If you bought a 2016 in 2015, your coverage expires in 2025—get it checked now.
2020 Trax: The big winner here. Special Coverage N232395300 extends coverage to 15 years or 150,000 miles. That’s basically the lifetime of the vehicle, suggesting GM knows this part is seriously flawed.
2021 Trax: Covered under N23239764 for 15 years or 150,000 miles. The 2021 model got a redesigned engine (the LE2), but the purge valve still fails. Same problem, new engine.
2018-2019 Trax: This is the gray area. Some owners report successful claims under the 10-year coverage, but it’s not crystal clear in the bulletins. Call your dealer and have them run your VIN through GM’s system to confirm eligibility.
2024-2025 Trax: No Special Coverage yet, but owners are already reporting failures at shockingly low mileages—some under 2,000 miles. Right now, you’re stuck with the standard 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. Given the pattern, expect a Special Coverage bulletin eventually.
How Do You Know If Your Purge Valve Is Failing?
The symptoms are pretty consistent across all model years:
Hard starting after refueling is the biggest giveaway. You fill the tank, try to start the car, and it cranks for 10-15 seconds before catching. Sometimes you need to press the gas pedal to get it going.
Rough idle or stalling happens when the valve leaks fuel vapors continuously. Your engine runs rough at stoplights or actually stalls out—a legitimate safety hazard in traffic.
Check engine light with codes P0496, P0171, P0442, or P0455. Get the codes read for free at most auto parts stores before heading to the dealer.
Poor fuel economy because your engine is compensating for unmetered fuel vapors entering the system.
Getting Your Trax Fixed Under Special Coverage
Here’s how to navigate the dealer process without getting stuck with unexpected bills.
The Diagnostic Fee Trap
Dealers want to charge $150-190 just to diagnose the problem. Here’s the catch: if it’s the purge valve under Special Coverage, the fee gets waived. If it’s something else—like a loose gas cap—you pay the fee plus the repair cost.
Smart move: get your codes read at an auto parts store first. If you see P0496, the odds are overwhelming it’s a covered repair. Walk into the dealership armed with that knowledge.
What to Bring
Print out the relevant Special Coverage bulletin for your model year. Mention the bulletin number specifically: N192210240, N232395300, or N23239764 depending on your year. This often prevents the service advisor from acting like they’ve never heard of the issue.
Have your VIN ready. The dealer needs to verify your specific vehicle qualifies under the coverage dates.
How Long Does the Repair Take?
On the older 1.4L LUV engine (2013-2020), it’s ridiculously simple—15 to 20 minutes. The valve sits right on top of the intake manifold. Disconnect two hoses and an electrical connector, unbolt it, swap in the new one.
The newer engines can take longer, and some owners report waiting weeks for parts, especially on 2024 models where replacement parts face backorders.
Already Paid for the Repair? Get Your Money Back
If you paid out-of-pocket for a purge valve replacement before these bulletins came out, GM owes you reimbursement.
You’ll need your original repair order showing the specific part replacement, proof of payment, and the reimbursement form that came with GM’s notification letter. These claims have deadlines—for the 2023 bulletin release, the window is closing fast.
Submit your claim through GM’s customer service line or the dealer who did the original repair. Keep copies of everything.
What About the 2024 Trax Purge Valve Problems?
The 2024 Trax is a completely redesigned vehicle with a new 1.2L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. You’d think a clean-sheet design would fix the purge valve issue.
Nope. Owners are reporting failures at under 8,000 miles with the exact same symptoms. Check engine lights, hard starts, emissions warnings—the whole package.
Since there’s no Special Coverage yet, you’re relying on the bumper-to-bumper warranty. That expires at 36,000 miles. If you drive 20,000 miles per year, you’ll be out of warranty in under two years, potentially facing a $200-350 repair bill for a known defective part.
Given GM’s history with this component, a Special Coverage announcement seems inevitable once warranty claims hit a certain threshold and NHTSA investigations progress.
The DIY Route: Can You Replace It Yourself?
If you’re out of warranty or the dealer wait time is absurd, the repair is genuinely simple on 2013-2020 models with the LUV engine.
What You Need
- Flathead screwdriver
- 10mm socket
- The correct replacement valve (critical—the parts aren’t interchangeable between engine types)
Parts Compatibility
| Model Years | Engine Code | Correct Part Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2020 | LUV (1.4L Turbo) | ACDelco 55573017 or Dorman 911-409 | Most common, easy access |
| 2021-2022 | LE2 (1.4L Turbo) | ACDelco 12666845 or Dorman 911-490 | Different connector/mounting |
| 2024+ | LIH (1.2L Turbo) | Verify VIN-specific part | Often backordered |
The part costs $30-50 online versus $200-350 at the dealer.
Basic Steps
Pop the engine cover if you have one. The purge valve sits on the intake manifold—it’s the component with an electrical connector and two hoses attached.
Disconnect the electrical harness by pressing the tab. Disconnect the vapor lines by pressing the colored tabs on the quick-connect fittings. Remove the mounting bolt or depress the plastic clip. Pull the valve straight out.
Critical step: make sure the old O-ring came out with the valve. If it’s stuck in the manifold port, you need to fish it out or the new valve won’t seal.
Put a tiny drop of clean oil on the new O-ring, install everything in reverse order, clear the codes with a scanner, and drive.
What If Your Trax Isn’t Covered?
Here’s the unfortunate reality: if your Trax falls outside the Special Coverage windows, you’re looking at real money.
Dealer repairs run $200-350 depending on labor rates in your area. Independent shops typically charge $111-166. DIY costs $30-50 if you’re comfortable with basic wrenching.
Some owners of 2018-2019 models have successfully argued their way into coverage by persistently calling GM customer service and escalating to supervisors. It’s worth trying before paying out of pocket.
Why Does This Keep Happening Across Different Engines?
You’d think switching from the 1.4L LUV engine to the redesigned 1.4L LE2, then to the all-new 1.2L LIH would solve the problem. It hasn’t.
The issue appears to be either a flawed supplier component used across all platforms or poor placement in a high-heat, high-vibration area of the engine bay. The valve’s internal spring weakens from thermal cycling, or debris from the charcoal canister lodges in the valve seat preventing it from sealing.
Compared to Honda and Toyota competitors, GM’s purge valve failure rate is noticeably higher. Other manufacturers’ valves typically last the vehicle’s lifetime without intervention.
Could This Become a Full Recall?
GM’s use of Special Coverage instead of a traditional recall is legally strategic. They’re addressing the problem while limiting their financial and legal exposure.
However, the stalling issue presents a genuine safety hazard. NHTSA has opened investigations into GM engine stalling, and the extensive Special Coverage programs may be GM’s negotiated response to regulatory pressure.
For 2024 owners experiencing multiple failures on a brand-new vehicle, lemon law claims might be viable if the car sits at the dealer for 30+ days cumulatively due to part shortages.
What You Should Do Right Now
For 2016-2020 owners: Check your VIN eligibility immediately. If you’re within the coverage window and experiencing symptoms, get to a dealer before your time runs out. The 2016-2017 coverage window is closing in 2025-2026.
For 2024-2025 owners: Document every symptom meticulously. Save all service records. If the purge valve fails, you’re establishing a paper trail that could support a lemon law claim or future class action if the problem becomes widespread.
For all owners: If you see that check engine light after refueling, don’t ignore it. A stuck-open purge valve can cause stalling in traffic—that’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous.
The Chevy Trax purge valve issue isn’t going away. GM’s acknowledgment through these extensive Special Coverage programs proves they know it’s a systemic problem. Stay informed about your coverage, push back on diagnostic fees when appropriate, and don’t let a $40 part cost you hundreds of dollars unnecessarily.
