Recall 15V146 covers 2,295 2015 Chevrolet Trax and Encore vehicles for electric-power-steering circuit board wear. Repair will be free once available.
Chevrolet is recalling 2,295 2015 Trax and Encore vehicles because the steering column housing can rub against the power steering circuit board and wear it down. That wear can cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electric power steering system in the 2015 Trax and Encore helps the driver turn the wheels with less effort. The steering column assembly houses part of that system, including electronics that help control power steering assist. A printed circuit board is a flat electronic board that carries signals between the steering controls and the assist motor.
On affected vehicles, the steering column assembly housing was machined incorrectly at the supplier. The housing can touch the power steering printed circuit board instead of leaving clearance around it. As the steering column is used, that contact wears on the board and interrupts electrical connectivity. When the board loses a clean connection, power steering assist is reduced or lost.
The warning sign is a malfunction indicator light on the instrument panel after assist is reduced or lost. Steering still works mechanically, but the wheel takes more effort to turn, especially at low speeds.
Who's affected?
The scope spans the Trax and Encore crossovers, both tied to the same power steering system.
| 2015 Chevrolet Trax | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Buick Encore | power steering system |
| Units affected | 2,295 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific crossover is included.
What's the safety risk?
Circuit board wear can suddenly cut electric power steering assist, making the vehicle harder to steer and increasing the risk of a crash. If steering assist is lost or reduced, a malfunction indicator light appears on the instrument panel. Drive cautiously and arrange service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Chevrolet Trax or Encore is included in this recall.
- Wait for the owner letter GM began mailing on April 24, 2015, or call Chevrolet customer service for the current repair status.
- Ask a franchised Chevrolet dealer about the free steering-column inspection and replacement that fixes the power-steering circuit board wear.
- Reference recall number 15V146 when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete because a loss of electric power steering assist increases crash risk.
What happens at the repair
Once the final repair opens, a Chevrolet technician will inspect the steering column assembly and replace it as needed if the housing has contacted or worn the power steering printed circuit board. Parts and labor will be covered under recall 15V146. For repairs paid before the recall notice, the general reimbursement plan on file handles documented expenses. Ask Chevrolet customer service or the dealer how to submit the repair order and payment proof.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V146?
Recall 15V146 covers 2,295 2015 Chevrolet Trax and Encore vehicles with steering column housing that can contact and wear the electric power steering circuit board. That wear can cause sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing crash risk. Dealers inspect and replace the steering column assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Chevrolet Trax or Encore is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V146. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for recall number 15168. The dealer will inspect the steering column assembly and replace it if needed. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 15V146 is a free dealer inspection with steering column assembly replacement if needed. The recall repair began April 24, 2015.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden loss of electric power steering assist. If the circuit board wears, steering requires more effort, especially at low speeds, and crash risk increases. The free dealer remedy is inspection and steering column assembly replacement if needed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V146000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V146 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V146000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →