RoadVitals

2021 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.
38
+4 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.
1
Latest Feb 24, 2022
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 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Toyota C-HR, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 106 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

  • Powertrain (other)1943.2%
  • Driver assistance613.6%
  • Electrical511.4%
  • Seat belts36.8%
  • Airbags24.5%
  • Brakes24.5%
  • Engine24.5%
  • Fuel system24.5%

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

1 campaign 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
22V107000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR

Feb 24, 2022
36,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 C-HR vehicles. The radar sensor may not have been activated during production, making the pre-collision system (PCS) inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative PCS that does not provide a malfunction indicator to the driver, or braking assist as expected, can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and activate the radar sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA02.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 22TA02View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 38
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2026

Transmission failure

NHTSA ID
11776789
Incident
May 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2026

CVT transmission. It cost more than the cost of the car for the tiny little transmission that fails so much. Toyota should get their fingers cut off for continuing to do this and intentionally abusing their customers. They must pay for this. At 100,000 mi a dealer quote for $13,000, is asinine and obnoxious for a manufacturer to intentionally knowingly abuse people this way. Horrible corporation. I hope you crash and the earth opens up and swallows you.

NHTSA ID
11776101
Incident
Sep 24, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2026

I have a very loud whine coming from the front of my 2021 Toyota CHR with 93,000 miles. At first I thought it was a wheel bearing so I replaced it but the noise did not change. Over the last few days it has become louder and louder. Now every once in a while the car feels like it almost slips then catches traction. The noise has been confirmed by an independent shop, who said there is a new TSB (T-SB-0048-26) for the transmission which they said matches everything they noticed with my vehicle but it was only for 2018-2019. No warning lights or anything has appeared.

NHTSA ID
11772759
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
Filed Oct 15, 2026

My vehicle began making a grinding noise. I immediately called the issue in to Toyota of Dallas. I scheduled to have all my tires replaced and to inspect the noise. I was informed that my CVT needed to be replaced. The dealership is unwilling to replace the CVT despite prior recalls on CVTs in 2018 and 2019 for Toyota CHR. My 2021 vehicle is paid off, has little to no wear and tear (I only drive locally), and has been taken to the dealership consistently when service is needed. I should not have a bad transmission. This vehicle is not safe for the road and I don't feel safe with myself nor my family to travel in this vehicle. I have to drive at very low speed to get to work, get the kids to school, etc and this is the only vehicle I possess. I cannot think of any reason of what would cause the CVT to go bad other than the dealership not properly maintaining the transmission OR simply a faulty transmission.

NHTSA ID
11771315
Incident
Oct 8, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2026

There was a sound that the car was making. Took in to the Toyota of Ashland dealership they could not repair it. The CVT bearing needs replaced.

NHTSA ID
11763328
Incident
Aug 27, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2026

Driving to [XXX] from [XXX] to visit my [XXX] mother. Stopped in [XXX] called my brother to come fallow me the rest of the way because a noise that started under the car was very disturbing. My brother fallowed. Me the rest of the way to [XXX] to my sisters house. This was XXX the following day my sister had me take it into a local shop in town. They said it was the transmission and I knew I couldn’t afford a new transmission I just bought the car a week ago for $17,000. I asked the dealer to help nothing asked Toyota for help nothing . Decided to get a second opinion and took it to AAMCO same diagnosis. This powertrain if it would have seized up while driving I could have been killed or hurt or even worse I could have hurt a child or killed a child. This is unexceptionable. Why is it that they are doing something for people in [XXX] but not the [XXX]. Are we less important? I know they are under investigation but allmost all the companies that are having problems with there cvt transmissions are at least trying to do something. I have multiple sclerosis and this stressed me out so much I went to the emergency room to get care. Please make them take accountability. We are important too. This happened XXX and today is XXX and I might have my car back XXX to go home. I had to get a $5,000 signature loan on top of the $17,000 loan i just got to get the car borrowed $1,300 from my husband boss and a $1,000 from my sister. I would have got it all from the bank but that’s all they could give me with the one loan. I hadn’t enven had time to make one payment. The loan I had to get is a high cost loan but none of this should be happening. I’m grateful no one got hurt but this does hurt me. Especially if I end up not being able to pay for it in the end on $1010 a month. Please seriously look into this INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11762868
Incident
Aug 8, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2026

It will not drive forward and only in reverse. There is a known bearing issue but unfortunately this is past the 60k and no recall.

NHTSA ID
11748849
Incident
Jan 1, 2025
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed May 27, 2026

On May 26, 2026 I was driving on the highway at around 50mph and the vehicle swerved to the right on its own causing me to swerve back and forth between two lanes for about 10 seconds. The wheel moved on its own causing me to use force to try to get the car back in control. Thankfully no one was next to me but if that had not been the case, it would have a caused a serious and life threatening accident. Had I been going any faster or on the regular streets, I am certain the vehicle would have flipped or ran off the road. It was EXTREMELY scary, especially as I am a mother and my baby is frequently in the car. I have contacted two separate Toyota dealerships neither one of them giving any concern to my safety or well-being and are charging me $100+ to run a diagnostics. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, I no longer believe that Toyota cares about their clients and will no longer be recommending Toyota for their lack of concern of their drivers safety. There were no warning messages or notifications before, during, or after the incident.

NHTSA ID
11740356
Incident
May 26, 2026

Manufacturer communications

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

T-SB-0106-22 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

T-SB-0001-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

T-TT-0780-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested by FTS and/or FPE.

T-TT-0780-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested by FTS and/or FPE.

T-SB-0106-22 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles to deliver the update, however, the process for generating license keys differs from previous generations.

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—
2021Viewing381054.8
2020661053.4
20191173061.7
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.