Recalls: Holden TJ Trax
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Holden TJ Trax
2013 Holden Trax: front seatbelt pre-tensioner
In August 2014, a recall was issued for eight (8) Holden TJ Trax vehicles that were manufactured from 17 January 2013 to 31 January 2013. In these vehicles, the front seatbelt pre-tensioner may not lock the seat belt during deployment – this could increase to the risk of occupant injury in the event of a collision. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range KL3BA7659DB103060 to KL3BF7659DB109074 (PRA 2014/14264).
2013-14 Holden Trax 1.8i manual: engine cranking and movement
In October 2014, a recall was issued for Holden TJ Trax vehicles that had 1.8-litre petrol engines, manual transmissions and were manufactured from 31 January 2013 to 1 June 2014. When the vehicle was parked, a wear condition in the ignition key cylinder actuator trigger may allow the vehicle starter motor to crank the engine if the key is left inside the ignition key cylinder and in ‘OFF’ position. If, when the vehicle was parked, the ignition key was left in the cylinder, the manual transmission left in gear and the park brake insufficiently applied, the vehicle may move unintentionally when the starter motor cranked the engine. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range KL3 BF7659DB 109070 to KL3 BF7659EB 755983 (PRA 2014/14372).
2013 Holden Trax: wiring harness connector and heavy steering
In May 2016, a recall was issued for Holden TJ Trax vehicles that were manufactured from 28 January 2013 to 14 February 2013. During vehicle manufacture, an electrical wiring harness connector may not have been completely secured to the steering column. As a result, certain driving manoeuvres may cause the wiring harness to disconnect; if this occurred, a visual warning would appear in the instrument cluster and increased effort would be required to steer the vehicle – this could cause an accident. The recalled Holden Trax vehicles had VINs in the range KL3BA7659DB103061 to KL3BF7659DB109074 (PRA 2016/15394).
2013-18 model year Holden TJ Trax: Takata airbag recall
In June 2018, August 2018 and August 2019, recalls were issued for 2013-18 model year Holden TJ Trax vehicles. The Takata driver’s airbag in these vehicles contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision which triggered the driver’s airbag, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal airbag inflator housing to explode. This, in turn, would cause the metal fragments to be projected through the airbag cushion and into the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16856.
Problems and faults: Holden TJ Trax
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Holden Trax 1.4 iTi (turbo): whistle/chirp noise from engine bay
In February 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI1297B for 2013-15 ‘model year’ Holden Trax models that had 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. According to the Service Bulletin, the driver may notice a whistle or chirp noise from the engine area after the vehicle had warmed up and there were four possible causes:
- A vacuum leak at the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) control valve. To fix, the camshaft cover assembly was to be replaced;
- A vacuum leak, most likely at the front crankshaft seal. For this cause, the whistling/chirp noise may head for up to 10 seconds after the engine was shut off due to the vacuum in the engine crankcase equalising with atmospheric pressure. To fix, the front crankshaft seal was to be replaced;
- A whistling noise from the water pump due to:
- Low coolant with air moving through the system;
- A noisy water pump bearing (indicated by a rattle or growl noise); or,
- The coolant shaft seal (indicated by a higher-pitched whine noise, typically heard at idle when the engine was warm).
- The drive belt or belt tensioner.
2013 Holden Trax 1.8i and 1.4 iTi: engine vibration when stationary
In September 2014, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI0928C for 2013 Chevrolet Trax vehicles that had automatic transmissions and were manufactured prior to 1 August 2013. The equivalent vehicle for the Australian market was the Holden Trax 1.8i and 1.4 iTi.
In these vehicles, the driver may notice a bump sensation, a surge or an engine vibration when the vehicle was stationary, the engine was idling, their foot was on the brake and the transmission was in ‘Drive’. According to the service bulleting, this condition may be caused by:
- The ‘Neutral Idle’ feature of the transmission which shifted into neutral in certain conditions; and,
- Variation in the 1-2-3-4 clutch fibre plates.
Once verified, the clutch fibre plates were to be replaced by a plate kit (part number 24268545) which contained two clutch fibre plates.
2013-14 Holden Trax 1.4 iTi: malfunction indicator lamp and DTC P0299
In December 2014, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI1366 for 2013-14 Chevrolet Trax vehicles that had 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The equivalent model for the Australian market was the Holden Trax 1.4 iTi.
In these vehicles, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may illuminate and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 ‘Engine Underboost’ may be logged. According to the bulletin, this code may be logged due to the loss of wastegate preload. Some wear in the wastegate actuator rod end to pin joint was considered normal and wear in this joint did not affect performance provided preload was maintained.
If, however, preload was insufficient – established if the wastegate pivot lever could be wiggled back and forth with little effort while the actuator rod remained static – then turbocharger was to be replaced.
