Last updated: 2026-10-10
Toyota C-HR Reliability by Year
Toyota C-HR reliability is good for a compact SUV, but 2018 to 2022 cars share one costly weak spot: a CVT bearing that can fail with no warning light.
Toyota C-HR Reliability Overview
Used C-HR shoppers get a compact SUV that holds up well, with an estimated repair bill of $441 a year. The main risk is the CVT: a whine or hum that grows with speed and often ends in a full transmission replacement quoted at $10,000 or more. Favor the 2022 and be wary of the 2018, which has the most complaints by far.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2023–2023).
Best & Worst Toyota C-HR Years
Best Toyota C-HR Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 has 2 owner complaints and no recalls, while the 2018 has 296 complaints and the 2019 has three recalls. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints, and both 2022 reports involve a CVT replacement, so the sample is small. Still, it has the cleanest record in the lineup.
Toyota C-HR Years to Avoid
Owners filed 296 complaints, far more than any other year, and most involve the CVT. A whine or hum grows with speed, usually with no warning light, and the fix is a full transmission quoted from over $10,000 to $14,000. Electrical reports add engine cut-outs and no-start problems.
Toyota C-HR Reliability Score Trend
Toyota C-HR reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 68/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 80/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2022 Toyota C-HR
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Final first-generation year, best of five scored C-HR years, with no recalls and only two complaints, both about CVT transmission replacement.
2021 Toyota C-HR
1 recalls · 32 complaints
Rates well above average among 2021 SUVs and stronger than most C-HR years, with a forward collision recall and transmission failures reported near 60,000 miles.
2020 Toyota C-HR
1 recalls · 55 complaints
Facelift year with good reliability and fewer complaints and recalls than 2019, though CVT failures past 90,000 miles are the main risk.
2019 Toyota C-HR
3 recalls · 101 complaints
Mid-pack among C-HR years, with a good standing, CVT failure as the main risk, and far fewer complaints than the 2018.
2018 Toyota C-HR
1 recalls · 296 complaints
Weakest of the five scored years, with CVT bearing failures and electric parking brake faults leading owner complaints, plus one parking brake recall.
Found Your Toyota C-HR? Check Its History
Power train (2) problems come up most in Toyota C-HR owner complaints, and 6 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Toyota C-HR Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$441
Toyota C-HR Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Toyota Models
Compare all Toyota models by reliability
Compare Toyota C-HR With Similar SUVs
The Toyota C-HR competes with other compact suvs such as Kia Niro, Jeep Renegade, and Chevrolet Trailblazer.
C-HR vs Kia Niro
2 years tracked · 25 complaints
C-HR vs Jeep Renegade
6 years tracked · 687 complaints
C-HR vs Chevrolet Trailblazer
6 years tracked · 400 complaints
C-HR vs Kia Seltos
6 years tracked · 515 complaints
C-HR vs Buick Encore GX
7 years tracked · 210 complaints
More Toyota C-HR comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Toyota C-HR reliable?
- Yes, its reliability standing is good, and it ranks above average among SUVs on the site. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at about $441. The weak point is the CVT transmission, which can fail expensively, so check its condition before buying.
- What are the most common Toyota C-HR problems?
- The CVT transmission is the big one, with 305 power train complaints. Owners describe a whine, hum, or growl that gets louder with speed. Electrical faults come next, including engine cut-outs and cars that will not start. Electric parking brake warnings also show up.
- How much does it cost to fix a C-HR transmission?
- Owners report quotes from over $10,000 to $14,000. Mechanics most often trace the noise to a failed internal bearing, and because that bearing is not replaced alone, the whole transmission goes in. Parts back orders can also delay the repair.
- What is the best Toyota C-HR year to buy?
- The 2022 is the site's pick. It has the lowest complaint count, only 2, and no recalls. The 2021 and 2020 also rate well. Remember that newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so the low count is partly age.
- Does the C-HR give warning before the transmission fails?
- Often only through noise. Owners say the failure usually comes with no warning light, so the whine or hum is the main clue. Many replaced tires, brakes, or wheel bearings first before the transmission was found to be the cause.
How we score the Toyota C-HR
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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