Last updated: 2026-10-10

Toyota C-HR

Toyota C-HR Years to Avoid

5 scored model years (2018–2022) · model average 74/100

Skip the 2018 Toyota C-HR. Its CVT is the main problem: owners describe a whine or hum that grows with speed and ends in a full transmission replacement. The 2022 is the better year to buy, with far fewer complaints and no recalls.

Verdict

Avoid
2018 66/100
Buy
2022 80/100
Model average
74/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Toyota C-HR Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Toyota C-HR average of 74/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201866/100Good1296Power Train (193)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Toyota C-HR

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.

1 recalls296 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (193), Unknown Or Other (32), Electrical System (21), Engine (14), Service Brakes (11), Air Bags (5)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Toyota C-HR Problems?

POWER TRAIN

305 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: The CVT develops a whine, hum, or growl that gets louder with speed.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

62 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2021

2018: Transmission failure is the main theme here too.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

35 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2021

2018: The engine cuts out while driving, including on the interstate, and some cars repeatedly blow the same fuse.

ENGINE

17 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019

2018: Most of these reports are really about the transmission.

SERVICE BRAKES

11 complaints

Most reported in 2018

2018: An "EPB Malfunction" warning lights up, sometimes while moving or after using cruise control.

AIR BAGS

7 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021

2018: None of the bags deploy in serious collisions, according to all 5 reports.

Best Toyota C-HR Year to Buy Instead

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent

2022 Toyota C-HR

The 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.

Score: 80/100 (Excellent)0 recalls2 complaints
View full 2022reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2022 Toyota C-HR has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Toyota C-HR Years by Generation

Toyota C-HR Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Toyota C-HR years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018. It has the most owner complaints of any year, 296, and about two thirds involve the power train. The 2019 also rates among the lowest years, so inspect it carefully if you consider one.
Which Toyota C-HR years have transmission problems?
CVT complaints appear in every model year. They are heaviest on the 2018, with 193 power train complaints, then the 2019 with 55 and the 2020 with 41. The 2022 has just 2, both ending in a transmission replacement.
Why is the 2018 Toyota C-HR a year to avoid?
Its CVT often develops a whine or hum that grows with speed, then needs a full replacement. Failures cluster between roughly 59,000 and 128,000 miles. Electrical complaints also include engine cut-outs and cars that will not start.
Is the 2022 Toyota C-HR a safe bet?
It is the best choice in the data, with no recalls and 2 complaints. Both complaints describe a CVT replacement, though, and the car has had less time to collect reports. Have the transmission checked on a test drive.
Are later C-HR years better than 2018?
Yes. Complaints per 10,000 sold fall each year, from 59.6 for the 2018 to 12.8 for the 2020 and 1.6 for the 2022. Newer cars have had less time on the road, so part of that drop is age.

How we score every Toyota C-HR model year

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue