Problems · by component

2019 Toyota C-HR power train problems

67 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Toyota C-HR cite power train, 58% of all 116 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
67
58% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“We purchased this vehicle from a local dealer brand new. It was titled in my father in-laws name but now ours (hence 2 owners on vin). at 108,XXX miles, we began to experience loud grumbling. We took it to a Toyota Dealer and it was diagnosed as "catastrophic transmission failure". They wanted $11k for a transmission replaced for a car worth maybe $14k. We did not perform the repair. After a few weeks, the noise got better. People online were having the same issue. At 129,XXX miles, we got a notice in the mail from Toyota Corporate with our name and VIN number on it. It stated extended warranty service coverage for up to September 2027 with no miles limitation. I took the car in to the dealer we purchased the vehicle from and they could not get the symptoms to replicate. After 1 week without the vehicle, we picked it up and went home. The symptoms have came and went, but at the end of October 2026, they were very bad. I dropped off the vehicle on 11/2/2026 and it was diagnosed again with a transmission replacement needed. After informing me and getting my hopes up again, they left me with a lemon that is unsafe to drive and worth $0 resale. The dealership…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Power trainODI 11775251
“The CVT had castrophic failure on the highway. Yes you may inspect it. Thankfully myself and my daughter were not injured, but it stalled out going 70 mph on the freeway and cars were speeding around us to avoid impaling us from behind. I was able to get it off the road and tow it home. There were no warning lights or indications that the transmission was failing it simply made a low whining noise that grew louder over time and then quiter at higher speeds. On the freeway it was imperceptable. It began making the noise in July and the CVT failed in August. I took it to a transmission shop as the dealership is outrageously over priced and I couldn't get it all the way to the dealership anyway. The transmission shop sent me photos of the pan dropped with huge pieces of metal debris inside it along with small glitter sized pieces filling the entire pan. Toyota issued customer support program 26TE06 in July 2026 but they capped the VINs included in September 2019 my CHR was made in the 3 months after September 2019 so it is not included in their program which replaces the CVT awknowledging the internal bearing failure leading to premature transmission failure and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Power trainODI 11774975
“Failure transmission verify by Toyota, and Toyota has a program for this issues with this certain cars and it's called Toyota Customer Support Program (20T006) but they said that my car isn't not covered under this program not giving any reason why. Transmission failure puts your safety and the safety of others at risk primarily by causing a sudden loss of vehicle control or propulsion in traffic etc etc Yes, and i will be adding the diagnosis (invoice) from Toyota dealership stating my car's problem. Its been only inspected by the manufacturer. My car has never showed up any warning lights or messages etc etc.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Power trainODI 11771918
“Subject: Formal Vehicle Safety Complaint — Premature CVT Transmission Failure in 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Vehicle: 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Component: Power Train — Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Mileage at Diagnosis: Approximately 105,000 miles Diagnosing Dealership: Lodi Toyota, California Reported Symptom: Abnormal whining noise from the transmission I am submitting this formal vehicle safety complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerning a suspected premature failure of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) installed in my 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited. At approximately 105,000 miles, my vehicle was experiencing an abnormal whining noise originating from the transmission. I took the vehicle to Lodi Toyota in California for a professional diagnosis. The dealership confirmed a transmission-related problem and determined that the transmission assembly required replacement. This diagnosis raises serious concerns regarding the durability and potential safety implications of the CVT transmission installed in certain 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. After receiving the dealership's diagnosis, I became aware of Toyota…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Power trainODI 11771921
“Transmission failure that toyota has already recognized in some vehicles. They have not covered all vehicles that are showing the same issues as the ones covered in the service program.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Power trainODI 11771025
“The transmission has failed twice. It was replaced once in 2020, right after we bought the vehicle in 2019. We have serviced the car as required at the same dealership. We were told in August 2026 by the dealership, after having the transmission serviced in the Spring of 2026, that the transmission needed to be replaced. We received a Customer Support Program letter from Toyota in September 2026 that the transmissions on 2018-2019 vehicles are being replaced because of known issues. However, they are denying it because of a serial number. There are/were warning lights, etc. It makes a sound when trying to accelerate. When we Google information, we find that there are also issues with the 2020 transmissions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Power trainODI 11766376

Showing 6 of 67 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: axle hubs

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 11, 2018NHTSA 18V710000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.