🔧 Trax - Thermostat Replacement

On your Trax, the thermostat is typically part of a thermostat housing (coolant outlet) assembly. Replacing it involves draining some coolant, removing the housing, installing the new seal/assembly, then refilling and bleeding air to prevent overheating.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the coolant reservoir when hot; let the engine cool fully.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands if you lift it; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic—keep it away from kids/pets and clean spills.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Metric socket set (8mm, 10mm, 13mm)
• 1/4" ratchet
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3" extension
• 6" extension
• Torque wrench (5–50 Nm range)
• Hose clamp pliers
• Trim clip removal tool
• Pick tool
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Thermostat housing assembly (with thermostat) - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing seal/O-ring - Qty: 1
• Dex-Cool coolant (premixed 50/50) - Qty: 1-2 gallons

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and let the engine go stone-cold.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Remove the coolant reservoir cap only when fully cool to release any residual pressure.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Before I give the exact bolt-by-bolt steps and torque specs, I need 2 quick details so it’s 100% correct for your Trax:

• Which part are you replacing: the thermostat housing assembly on the engine (most common) or a coolant outlet/connector that a hose plugs into? If you can, tell me what you see leaking or what you bought.
• Is your goal fix an overheating / P0128 issue, or fix a coolant leak?

Reply with those two answers and I’ll send the full procedure with the correct location, hose/connector details, and the factory torque specs.

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✅ After Repair

• Don’t drive it until we confirm proper bleeding—air pockets can cause overheating fast.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$700 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$480 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.