Is the Ford Ecosport more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?

Based on our data, the Toyota C-HR is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?

The Ford Ecosport has more recalls (12) compared to the Toyota C-HR (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota C-HR has a lower complaint rate at 25.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.7 for the Ford Ecosport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota C-HR is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $775/year for the Ford Ecosport.

Is the Ford Ecosport or Toyota C-HR safer?

Both the Ford Ecosport and Toyota C-HR received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR: Reliability Compared

Ford Ecosport

Good

More Reliable

Toyota C-HR

Good

Choosing between the Ford Ecosport and the Toyota C-HR? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota C-HR currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Ecosport and Toyota C-HR Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota C-HR is in its second generation, which began in 2023. This places it relatively early in its generation cycle, meaning it might still be working through initial issues common with newer platforms. The first generation of the C-HR (2018–2022) had a facelift in 2020, indicating a period of refinement that typically enhances reliability. In contrast, the Ford Ecosport's second generation started in 2012 and continued until 2022, with facelifts in 2018 and 2021. This extensive time in the market suggests a mature platform, likely offering more stable reliability due to the extensive period for refinements and adjustments.

Verdict

The Toyota C-HR is more reliable than the Ford Ecosport, scoring 74/100 vs 61/100.

The Toyota C-HR demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 76/100 compared to the Ford Ecosport's score of 0/100. The C-HR has fewer recalls, totaling six over six years, versus the Ecosport's 12 in five years. Additionally, the Toyota C-HR has a lower owner complaint rate of 25.6 per 10,000 units sold, significantly better than the Ecosport's 73.7. With an estimated annual repair cost of $441 for the C-HR and no available data for the Ecosport, the C-HR is clearly the more reliable choice for those prioritizing dependability in a compact SUV.

Key Differences

1Toyota C-HR costs $334 less per year to repair
2Toyota C-HR has 48.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Toyota C-HR scores 13 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Ford Ecosport

—

4Toyota C-HR

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostSafety Rating

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Ecosport	Toyota C-HR
Reliability Score	61/100	74/100
Years Tracked	5	5
Total Recalls	12	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	73.7	25.6
Annual Repair Cost	$775/yr	$441/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2022 NHTSA	2022 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Ecosport and Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR and Ford Ecosport exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of reliability. The Toyota C-HR has a significant concentration of issues in the power train, accounting for 305 complaints, including 4 crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern. In contrast, the Ford Ecosport has a higher total complaint volume at 1826, but lacks detailed categorization, which obscures specific problem areas. Notably, the C-HR's air bag issues, all 7 of which are crash-linked, highlight a critical safety concern not mirrored in the available data for the Ecosport.

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Ecosport	Toyota C-HR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	33.1High	—None
POWER TRAIN	7.2Above Avg	16High
ENGINE	20.2High	0.9Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.6Average	3.3Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.1Low	1.8Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.3Low	0.6Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.9Very Low	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.6Very Low	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
PARKING BRAKE	—None	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Ecosport or Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR has an estimated annual repair cost of $441, which translates to about $2,205 over five years. While specific data for the Ford Ecosport's annual repair cost, repair frequency, and major repair risk are unavailable, industry estimates suggest it may have a similar or slightly higher repair cost profile based on typical trends for comparable compact SUVs. Without explicit repair frequency and major repair risk data for the Ford Ecosport, the Toyota C-HR appears to be a more predictable and potentially more cost-effective choice for budget-conscious buyers. With transparent maintenance expenses, the C-HR offers a clearer picture of ownership costs, providing peace of mind for those prioritizing financial certainty.

How Does Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Ecosport	Toyota C-HR	Edge
2022	74/1002R / 10C	80/1000R / 2C	Toyota C-HR
2021	60/1003R / 255C	77/1001R / 32C	Toyota C-HR
2020	58/1003R / 390C	76/1001R / 55C	Toyota C-HR
2019	58/1002R / 451C	70/1003R / 101C	Toyota C-HR
2018	56/1002R / 720C	66/1001R / 296C	Toyota C-HR

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Ford Ecosport scored 74/100 and the 2022 Toyota C-HR scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Ecosport vs the Toyota C-HR?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Toyota C-HR is the better choice. With a reliability score of 76/100, this model offers a dependable ride and fewer headaches. It has a moderate number of recalls at six and an estimated annual repair cost of $441, which suggests manageable maintenance expenses. Although it has top issues like power train and electrical system concerns, its owner complaints are significantly lower at 25.6 per 10,000 sold, indicating a more reliable ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're considering the Ford Ecosport, it's important to be aware of its reliability challenges. With a score of 0/100, this model has a high number of recalls (12) and owner complaints per 10,000 sold (73.7), which can translate into frequent trips to the mechanic. The lack of top issue identification might be concerning, as it suggests potential unforeseen problems. Therefore, if reliability and cost-effectiveness are your priorities, the Toyota C-HR is the clear recommendation.

Ford Ecosport vs Toyota C-HR: Common Questions

Is the Ford Ecosport more reliable than the Toyota C-HR?: Based on our data, the Toyota C-HR is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?: The Ford Ecosport has more recalls (12) compared to the Toyota C-HR (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota C-HR has a lower complaint rate at 25.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.7 for the Ford Ecosport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Ecosport or the Toyota C-HR?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota C-HR is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $775/year for the Ford Ecosport.
Is the Ford Ecosport or Toyota C-HR safer?: Both the Ford Ecosport and Toyota C-HR received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Ford Ecosport comparisons

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More Toyota C-HR comparisons

Toyota C-HR vs Buick Encore GX reliability Toyota C-HR vs Buick Encore reliability Toyota C-HR vs KIA Seltos reliability Toyota C-HR vs Chevrolet Trailblazer reliability Toyota C-HR reliability by year Toyota C-HR years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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