2021 Toyota C-HR Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota C-HR, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)1435.9%
- Driver assistance615.4%
- Electrical512.8%
- Seat belts37.7%
- Airbags25.1%
- Brakes25.1%
- Engine25.1%
- Fuel system25.1%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Steering12.6%
- Visibility12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota CH-R. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound that progressively became louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for routine maintenance since the whining sound started, but the dealer had not advised the contact of a transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a goodwill assistance offer, which the contact declined. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, she collided with a deer attempting to cross the freeway. The contact stated that the collision was the result of the pre-collision avoidance system failing to activate. Both driver-side and passenger-side air bags were deployed. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a tow yard, where it remained. The contact reported that two individuals were treated for injuries following the accident. The driver sustained whiplash, two herniated discs, a torn meniscus, and a torn retina. The passenger sustained whiplash and various other unspecified injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired and was deemed a total loss as a result of the collision. After investigating the issue, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V107000 (Forward Collision Avoidance). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Service Vehicle Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 82,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that upon having the windshield replaced, the technician was unable to connect the LTA, RTA, and the pre-collision system. The contact stated that the LTA, RTA, and Pre-Collision system intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be recalibrated. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was repaired; however, after the contact retrieved the vehicle, the warning lights failed to operate as designed. The dealer was then notified, and the contact was informed that the failure could potentially be due to the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,529.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, while depressing the brake pedal the failed to stop and the vehicle and crashed into a brick mailbox. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed, and the front driver side seat belt failed to retract. The contact sustained injuries on his neck and back and sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed impound lot. The contact was informed by the impound lot, that the cause of the brake failure was due to the bolt being loose on the A-frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front passenger air bag wire harness and the Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
My Chr Toyota 2021 has many issues, seat belt lock I have a pair of scissors just in case, usb don't work correctly, windshield wipers gets stuck right in the middle, brakes noise, back seat rug detaching from the floor, radio, Bluetooth, front seats move forward by it self creating a safety hazard condition, I am afraid of my driver seat move forward and get me against the steering wheel and kill me, etc. I raised a complaint to Toyota Headquarters and they prepared everything for a Lemon Law , last Monday June 5th we have a mediation with Ndcs and Toyota, and my case was denied because at any given time that I have taking my vehicle to South Dade Toyota in Homestead the service dept. Manager [XXX] refused to document the issues and only offer car wash. Since my paper work from the Dealer is limited they denied my case don't taking in consideration my and my family safety. My vehicle was at the dealer order by Toyota Headquarters were the Dealer offer me a car loaner for them to keep my Chr and try to repair , next day around 11.30 am I received a phone call from the Dealer and [XXX] that they couldn't find none of my complaints and in all the time the car was there they only drove 2 miles. Same situation I have to ask [XXX] for the copies of the " services that never was done" I was at the Dealer and someone there told me that since Chr has been a bad and wrong way manufactured the CHR HAS BEEN DISCOUNTINUED. I can't force this employees to give me complaints visit documents, and this is the reason why they have denied my complaint . Please guide me, appreciated you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, while depressing the brake pedal the failed to stop and the vehicle and crashed into a brick mailbox. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed, and the front driver side seat belt failed to retract. The contact sustained injuries on his neck and back and sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed impound lot. The contact was informed by the impound lot, that the cause of the brake failure was due to the bolt being loose on the A-frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front passenger air bag wire harness and the Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE 9TH OF APRIL 2021 AT 06:45AM ON OUR COMPANY'S CAR PARK, THIRD LEVEL. AS I WAS PARKING THE TOYOTA CHR, I'M FULLY AWARE THAT I'M JUST LIGHTLY STEPPING ON THE GAS LIKE WHAT I'M DOING WHEN I'M PARKING THE CAR EVERYTIME I GO TO WORK WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP. IT HAPPEN SO FAST AND WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE I CRASHED ON THE WALL. I TRIED TO BACK UP AND IT REVVED UP BACKWARD AGAIN AND HIT THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR. I TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD BY STEPPING LIGHTLY ON THE GAS AND IT ACCELERATES SO FAST FORWARD AGAIN UNTIL I HIT THE WALL AND SOMEBODY RAN OVER AND HELP ME OUT OF THE CAR. EVERYTHING HAPPEN QUICKLY THAT'S WHY I WAS IN SHOCK. I KNOW VERY WELL SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BECAUSE I PARK THE SAME WAY EVERYTIME I GO TO WORK AND NOTHING HAPPEN. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND SO WAS THE CAR THAT WAS HIT WHEN IT BACKED UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, while depressing the brake pedal the failed to stop and the vehicle and crashed into a brick mailbox. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed, and the front driver side seat belt failed to retract. The contact sustained injuries on his neck and back and sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed impound lot. The contact was informed by the impound lot, that the cause of the brake failure was due to the bolt being loose on the A-frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front passenger air bag wire harness and the Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
My Chr Toyota 2021 has many issues, seat belt lock I have a pair of scissors just in case, usb don't work correctly, windshield wipers gets stuck right in the middle, brakes noise, back seat rug detaching from the floor, radio, Bluetooth, front seats move forward by it self creating a safety hazard condition, I am afraid of my driver seat move forward and get me against the steering wheel and kill me, etc. I raised a complaint to Toyota Headquarters and they prepared everything for a Lemon Law , last Monday June 5th we have a mediation with Ndcs and Toyota, and my case was denied because at any given time that I have taking my vehicle to South Dade Toyota in Homestead the service dept. Manager [XXX] refused to document the issues and only offer car wash. Since my paper work from the Dealer is limited they denied my case don't taking in consideration my and my family safety. My vehicle was at the dealer order by Toyota Headquarters were the Dealer offer me a car loaner for them to keep my Chr and try to repair , next day around 11.30 am I received a phone call from the Dealer and [XXX] that they couldn't find none of my complaints and in all the time the car was there they only drove 2 miles. Same situation I have to ask [XXX] for the copies of the " services that never was done" I was at the Dealer and someone there told me that since Chr has been a bad and wrong way manufactured the CHR HAS BEEN DISCOUNTINUED. I can't force this employees to give me complaints visit documents, and this is the reason why they have denied my complaint . Please guide me, appreciated you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2021 CHR, that I purchased in March 2021 with 11 miles on it, started making a noise when driving in December 2025 so I took it in to Street Toyota in Amarillo, TX on 12-27-2025. It was confirmed that the automatic transaxle needed to be replaced and it would cost $15,653.58 to replace. The cost of my car brand new was $21,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Service Vehicle Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
this 21 chr has developed low idell at a signal light just like my 2019 corolla and the dealership said nothing was wrong with it after 4 visits, now it has a recall on it and i know longer have it after it died at a signal light.does the 21 chr have the same low pressure fuel pump.
I purchased the car in April of 2021 and by the end of the month it was in the shop because it was consuming way to much fuel I’ve been back to the dealer since for this matter many times as well as many time for other safety defects like the lane keeping assist taking over and forcing me into opposite lanes of traffic and my finance manager noticed that the vehicle was mile jumping. I have been back for the above mentioned issues and safety concerns and the only response I have gotten so far is that the vehicle is operating as designed and final do not come back you are causing unnecessary problems and issues
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Chr Toyota 2021 has many issues, seat belt lock I have a pair of scissors just in case, usb don't work correctly, windshield wipers gets stuck right in the middle, brakes noise, back seat rug detaching from the floor, radio, Bluetooth, front seats move forward by it self creating a safety hazard condition, I am afraid of my driver seat move forward and get me against the steering wheel and kill me, etc. I raised a complaint to Toyota Headquarters and they prepared everything for a Lemon Law , last Monday June 5th we have a mediation with Ndcs and Toyota, and my case was denied because at any given time that I have taking my vehicle to South Dade Toyota in Homestead the service dept. Manager [XXX] refused to document the issues and only offer car wash. Since my paper work from the Dealer is limited they denied my case don't taking in consideration my and my family safety. My vehicle was at the dealer order by Toyota Headquarters were the Dealer offer me a car loaner for them to keep my Chr and try to repair , next day around 11.30 am I received a phone call from the Dealer and [XXX] that they couldn't find none of my complaints and in all the time the car was there they only drove 2 miles. Same situation I have to ask [XXX] for the copies of the " services that never was done" I was at the Dealer and someone there told me that since Chr has been a bad and wrong way manufactured the CHR HAS BEEN DISCOUNTINUED. I can't force this employees to give me complaints visit documents, and this is the reason why they have denied my complaint . Please guide me, appreciated you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in inclement weather, the driver's and passenger's side front and rear windows became foggy. The contact activated the defroster; however, she was not able to see through the windows. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the vehicle performed as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .