Research · Compact Cars

2020 Toyota C-HRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 66 owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota C-HR. Most complaints involve power train (51) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Dec 2019
Owner complaints
66
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

Seat beltsReported Dec 11, 2019NHTSA 19V877000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

66 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train51
  2. Engine5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Tires3
  6. Steering3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Wheels2

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

By model year

Complaints for each C-HR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2018328
2019116
202066
202136
20223
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

51 reports
“I am reporting a transmission failure involving my 2020 Toyota C-HR Limited at approximately 111,852 miles. For several weeks, I had noticed an unusual humming or dragging noise coming from the front driver’s side of my vehicle while driving. The noise became increasingly noticeable, but I did not know what was causing it. On October 8, 2026, after driving approximately 30 miles at highway speeds of around 75 mph, I arrived home and began backing into my driveway. While the vehicle was moving in reverse, it suddenly made a noticeable clunk and jerk. This was the first and only time I had experienced the vehicle jerking. I took my vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership on October 9, 2026. The dealership recommended replacing the transmission assembly. I was verbally informed that an internal transmission bearing had failed. Throughout the weeks leading up to the diagnosis, my vehicle never displayed a check engine light, transmission warning, or any other dashboard warning message. I regularly drive approximately 60 miles per day, including interstate travel. I am concerned that an unexpected transmission failure while driving at highway speeds could cause a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Power trainODI 11773409

Engine

5 reports
“While driving, my 2020 Toyota C-HR suddenly lost acceleration in the middle of the road, with the vehicle failing to respond to throttle input. This has now happened twice. There was no warning noise (no whining or grinding) beforehand, and the loss of power occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion, creating a dangerous driving condition due to inability to maintain speed or safely merge/clear traffic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11756861

Electrical system

5 reports
“The motor mounts broke when it hit a pothole and that snapped the wiring harness which caused the transmission to shift. Toyota dealership says it needs a new CVT transmission replacement. The engine has shifting issues. My insurance adjusters believe that the transmission failure is due to wear and tear, but the car did not have issues before the pothole. There were and are no warning lights or messages prior to and after the incident. I got the engine wiring harness and motor mounts fixed and there was still a noise and lag while accelerating and they finally said it was the transmission the second time I brought it in and that wasn’t covered by insurance. I’ve only put 11,000 miles on it and I’m the second owner. I bought it from a Lithia Nissan of Clovis.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11738452
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
C-HR
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273129$2,200305
  • C-HR
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota C-HR 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 14735
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 C-HR questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota C-HR have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Toyota C-HR problems?

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (51), engine (5), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Toyota C-HR get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Toyota C-HR at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2020 Toyota C-HR?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Toyota C-HR 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026