2021 Toyota C-HR problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota C-HR, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 34
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 3
Fires: 0
Injuries: 3
Median mileage: 28,764 mi

Key facts

Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 16 of 34 complaints (47%).
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (6) and electrical system (5) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 28,764 mi.
Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
The 2021 Toyota C-HR has 1 recall on file.
It ranks 4th of 6 Toyota C-HR model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 48% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (65).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Power train	16
Unknown or other	6
Electrical system	5
Seat belts	3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	2
Air bags	2
Fuel/propulsion system	2
Engine	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Toyota C-HR complaints that list mileage.

2021 Toyota C-HR recalls (1)

Recall 22V107000Feb 24, 202236,558 vehicles
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
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.
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.
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.

Recent 2021 Toyota C-HR complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 10, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain
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 complaint #11763328 · source
Filed Sep 8, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain
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…
NHTSA complaint #11762868 · source
Filed Jul 7, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain
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 complaint #11748849 · source
Filed May 27, 2026GADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering
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…
NHTSA complaint #11740356 · source
Filed May 26, 202660,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain
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…
NHTSA complaint #11740114 · source
Filed May 11, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
The car has developed a growl/whine from the transmission. A trip to the mechanic determined that it sounded as if a bearing inside the transmission is failing. A check online showed multiple complaints regarding the transmission failing with the same issues as my car, and what appeared to be a possible class action lawsuit being filed regarding this transmission issue. No recall is showing for the transmission from Toyota. Recommendation from the mechanic was to replace the…
NHTSA complaint #11736933 · source
Filed Apr 28, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain
The transmission has failed. Started making a whirring noise at 60000 and got worse from there. Toyota wants to charge 13k to fix issue.
NHTSA complaint #11734414 · source
Filed Mar 9, 2026UTTransmission & Drivetrain
My transmission went out on my 2021 C-HR. The problem is, Toyota continued making and selling the car after they knew there was an issue. The 2018 and 19 models had transmission recalls, but they failed to fix the issue and continued to let others purchase a vehicle that was going to fail.
NHTSA complaint #11722990 · source

Compare the 2021 Toyota C-HR with another vehicle →

Other 2021 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology