Toyota C-HR transmission and drivetrain problems, 2018–2027
344 of the 542 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota C-HR 2018–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (214), 2019 (62), 2020 (49). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota C-HR transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 3 | 100% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 16 | 47% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 49 | 77% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 62 | 56% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 214 | 66% | 80k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 20 · 2023: 24 · 2024: 29 · 2025: 100 · 2026: 152
Across the model years, half of the 38 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 64,000 and 91,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I heard a whining noise coming from front end of my car. I took it to the services department at 42,000 miles while under powertrain warranty and they said they thought it was the air conditioner pump but said they couldn't fix something that wasn't tore up and advised me to call or come back it the noise worsened.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal winding noise detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
The vehicle has only 106 thousand miles on it, and it started to make a loud sound while driving it with lots of hesitation to accelerate out of the first gear. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. I took it to my mechanic, who stated it was the CVT transmission. The estimated cost is over 6 thousand.
At about 64,000 miles I began to hear a loud sound come out of my car while I drove it, so I took it to the Toyota dealership and they said I need a new transmission. My safety and family’s safety is put at risk because my car can stop at any point while driving it. The problem is confirmed by the Toyota dealership!
Good evening, My 2020 Toyota C-HR’s transmission broke down today while I was driving my kids to school. The car was last serviced on September 27, 2025, and at that time, no issues were mentioned regarding the transmission. I paid $269.19 for the service and $597.65 for the brake pad replacement.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V710000 HighOct 11, 2018 · 681 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. The rear axle hub bearing bolts may have been insufficiently tightened, causing the bolts to loosen and damage the rear brake components or cause a rear wheel to detach.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 13, 2026
- Some 2018 – 2019 model year C-HR vehicles may exhibit a grinding and/or whining noise from the transaxle while accelerating from 15 – 30 mph and/or decelerating from 30 – 15 mph. An updated transaxle is available when the specified noise and serial number requirements are met.
- Aug 13, 2026
- Although the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to an abnormal whine noise in the CVT.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota C-HR years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 214; 2019, 62; 2020, 49. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (100%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Toyota C-HR?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V710000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Toyota C-HR?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 80,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 64,000 and 91,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.