RoadVitals

2019 Toyota C-HR

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
117
+5 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 11, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 117 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Toyota C-HR, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 131 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Dec 11, 2019
9,468 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
The risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 19TB22/19TA22View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Mar 27, 2019
3,634 units potentially affected
The defect: Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
Gulf States Toyota, Inc.Manufacturer number 19R1View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

Oct 11, 2018
681 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. The rear axle hub bearing bolts may have been insufficiently tightened, causing the bolts to loosen and damage the rear brake components or cause a rear wheel to detach.
The risk: If the bolts loosen and damage the rear brake components, or cause a rear wheel to detach, it would increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle hub bearing bolts. If a bolt is found to be loose or detached, the dealer will replace the rear axle hub bearing assembly and rear axle carrier sub-assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0Y.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number J0YView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Nov 10, 2026

Transmission has started to make grinding a noise and the car has 100,000 mile. We went to a certified mechanic and they told us the transmission bearing is having issues. Overall. The issue is with the transmission

NHTSA ID
11777095
Incident
Nov 10, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2026

We purchased this vehicle from a local dealer brand new. It was titled in my father in-laws name but now ours (hence 2 owners on vin). at 108,XXX miles, we began to experience loud grumbling. We took it to a Toyota Dealer and it was diagnosed as "catastrophic transmission failure". They wanted $11k for a transmission replaced for a car worth maybe $14k. We did not perform the repair. After a few weeks, the noise got better. People online were having the same issue. At 129,XXX miles, we got a notice in the mail from Toyota Corporate with our name and VIN number on it. It stated extended warranty service coverage for up to September 2027 with no miles limitation. I took the car in to the dealer we purchased the vehicle from and they could not get the symptoms to replicate. After 1 week without the vehicle, we picked it up and went home. The symptoms have came and went, but at the end of October 2026, they were very bad. I dropped off the vehicle on 11/2/2026 and it was diagnosed again with a transmission replacement needed. After informing me and getting my hopes up again, they left me with a lemon that is unsafe to drive and worth $0 resale. The dealership followed the steps for Toyota's extended service, but the serial number on the transmission did not match the programs' needs. Neither Toyota or the local dealer will do anything for me even though the symptoms, model, make, year, and VIN all are recorded to have these same symptoms and issues. Toyota is aware of these issues but not willing to acknowledge certain serial numbers at this time..... Needs investigation.

NHTSA ID
11775251
Incident
Nov 2, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2026

The CVT had castrophic failure on the highway. Yes you may inspect it. Thankfully myself and my daughter were not injured, but it stalled out going 70 mph on the freeway and cars were speeding around us to avoid impaling us from behind. I was able to get it off the road and tow it home. There were no warning lights or indications that the transmission was failing it simply made a low whining noise that grew louder over time and then quiter at higher speeds. On the freeway it was imperceptable. It began making the noise in July and the CVT failed in August. I took it to a transmission shop as the dealership is outrageously over priced and I couldn't get it all the way to the dealership anyway. The transmission shop sent me photos of the pan dropped with huge pieces of metal debris inside it along with small glitter sized pieces filling the entire pan. Toyota issued customer support program 26TE06 in July 2026 but they capped the VINs included in September 2019 my CHR was made in the 3 months after September 2019 so it is not included in their program which replaces the CVT awknowledging the internal bearing failure leading to premature transmission failure and exhibiting the exact symptoms my car gave as it is the exact model of CVT (K114) that is in my CHR. Nothing else would have caused total breakdown of the internal bearings and belt as the car has never even been in a small accident and I have had it for over 5 years. Toyota still refuses to take responsibility however they put my life and my daughters at risk putting us on the road in a brand new car that had a faulty transmission when we purchased it, we could have been hit by another car on the highway and died. I bought a brand new toyota expecting to drive safely in a good car and that the car would last for at least 300,000 miles.

NHTSA ID
11774975
Incident
Aug 27, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2026

Subject: Formal Vehicle Safety Complaint — Premature CVT Transmission Failure in 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Vehicle: 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Component: Power Train — Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Mileage at Diagnosis: Approximately 105,000 miles Diagnosing Dealership: Lodi Toyota, California Reported Symptom: Abnormal whining noise from the transmission I am submitting this formal vehicle safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerning a suspected premature failure of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) installed in my 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited. At approximately 105,000 miles, my vehicle was experiencing an abnormal whining noise originating from the transmission. I took the vehicle to Lodi Toyota in California for a professional diagnosis. The dealership confirmed a transmission-related problem and determined that the transmission assembly required replacement. This diagnosis raises serious concerns regarding the durability and potential safety implications of the CVT transmission installed in certain 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. After receiving the dealership's diagnosis, I became aware of Toyota Customer Support Program 26TE06, which addresses certain abnormal CVT whining-noise conditions in eligible Toyota C-HR vehicles. Despite my vehicle exhibiting a similar symptom, Toyota informed me that my vehicle identification number (VIN) was excluded from the program. I contacted Toyota Corporate repeatedly to request an explanation and reconsideration of its decision. Toyota declined to provide assistance and ultimately informed me that my case had been reviewed, its position would remain unchanged, and no additional department was available for further escalation. My concern extends beyond Toyota's refusal to provide financial assistance. I believe the premature transmission failure diagnosed in my vehicle warrants examination alongside similar complaints involving Toyota C-HR CVT transmissions.

NHTSA ID
11771921
Incident
Jan 10, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2026

Failure transmission verify by Toyota, and Toyota has a program for this issues with this certain cars and it's called Toyota Customer Support Program (20T006) but they said that my car isn't not covered under this program not giving any reason why. Transmission failure puts your safety and the safety of others at risk primarily by causing a sudden loss of vehicle control or propulsion in traffic etc etc Yes, and i will be adding the diagnosis (invoice) from Toyota dealership stating my car's problem. Its been only inspected by the manufacturer. My car has never showed up any warning lights or messages etc etc.

NHTSA ID
11771918
Incident
Jan 10, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2026

Transmission failure that toyota has already recognized in some vehicles. They have not covered all vehicles that are showing the same issues as the ones covered in the service program.

NHTSA ID
11771025
Incident
Oct 6, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2026

Transmission slippage and failure

NHTSA ID
11768192
Incident
Sep 2, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2026

Driving home from work on the freeway, the loud droning and whining sound was already present. Same issue that I thought had been previously resolved by replacing the transmission from the dealership it was purchased from. Though this time it was accompanied by a horrible grinding sound coming from the bearings in the transmission. After much research into this issue, iI found that it is a very common issue wtih this particular vehicle. Specifically the K1114 transmissions used in them. Toyota has since used different transmissions in newer models, but has not issued a recall for the ones that are so commonly breaking and keep replacing but not fixing the issue.

NHTSA ID
11766496
Incident
May 2, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26TE06

POWER TRAIN

Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.

26TE06_DL_pub_10.01.2026

POWER TRAIN

Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.

26TE06

POWER TRAIN

Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.

26TE06

POWER TRAIN

Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.

26TE06

POWER TRAIN

Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.

T-SB-0048-26 Rev1

POWER TRAIN

Some 2018 – 2019 model year C-HR vehicles may exhibit a grinding and/or whining noise from the transaxle while accelerating from 15 – 30 mph and/or decelerating from 30 – 15 mph. An updated transaxle is available when the specified noise and serial number requirements are met.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota C-HR by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026810—
2022300—
2021381054.8
2020661053.4
2019Viewing1173061.7
20183281053.8
2017000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.