NHTSA Complaint #11483606 — 2018 CHEVROLET TRAX

Approximately one week ago, I went to reverse out of my drive way and my brakes were very hard. I was able to stop ok, but it took more effort than normal. That day, while in traffic, the “Service Brake Assist” indicator came on my dashboard. This went away after I went into class and then started my Trax and began driving again. The indicator did not reappear until about two days later. I parked in my driveway and that next morning I reversed out like usual and I had to put every bit of my 158lbs on the brake. I drove very slowly and then tried reversing. The brakes were fine. The next night I was driving home and someone cut me off. I had zero brakes. I had to drive off the road to avoid a collision. I came less than a foot from slamming into the vehicle in front of me. I managed to miss most of the curb but ended up hitting the curb with my right rear tire (a chunk of the tire is now missing). Once the vehicle has been driven for a brief period of time there aren’t severe problems with the brakes (while in reverse). Overall the vehicle has significantly less braking power and requires maximum force from me to completely stop. The “service brake assist” light/indicator comes on sporadically and I have gone to a parts store three separate times for a scan but they say when the indicator is not active it may not trigger a read out. One of the stores said I needed to take it to a dealership but I do not have the money for that as I am a single mother in college. Tonight I parked differently so that I could mow the lawn and when I reversed into the driveway (at an incline), a “hill assist” indicator flashed very briefly. My vehicle currently has 36,859 miles, of which I have personally driven 30,259 miles. All maintenance is done as it should be at proper times.