Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Toyota C-HR problems

Owners filed 66 complaints about the 2020 Toyota C-HR with NHTSA between Nov 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (51).

Complaints
66
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train51
  2. Engine5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Tires3
  6. Steering3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Wheels2
  10. Fuel/propulsion system1
  11. Forward collision avoidance1
  12. Suspension1
  13. Other / unknown6

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20201
20213
20223
20230
20240
202522
202637

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“While taking off in my 2020 Toyota C-HR on the highway, the CVT transmission suddenly failed, resulting in an immediate and significant loss of propulsion power. The vehicle did not fully shut off but lost the ability to maintain normal highway speed, requiring me to rapidly reduce speed and carefully maneuver the vehicle to safety in active traffic conditions. This created a serious safety risk due to unexpected loss of acceleration and potential inability to maintain highway speed in traffic. The failure occurred at approximately 117,700 miles and shortly after purchase. The vehicle had a documented history of regular maintenance performed at Toyota dealerships approximately every 3,000 miles. I was later informed by Toyota service personnel that the vehicle had previously been documented on 2/2/26 in the manufacturer’s internal system with a CVT fault and a recommendation for transmission replacement prior to my purchase, which was not disclosed in any public vehicle history reporting system. This raises a major safety concern that the transmission failure may be part of a broader pattern of CVT reliability issues affecting this model and drivetrain family.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11733254

Tires

3 reports
“One tire blowout less than 2k miles, Sidewall and tread on all other tires, not holding air, losing traction causing lose of control and hydroplaning 215/60 17R Pro Continental”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2022TiresODI 11497522

Steering

3 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the front passenger tire has had become defective; once for a blowout and another for excessive tread wear. Due to the failure, the contact has had multiple tire replacements; however, the failure had returned after each repair. The contact believed that the failure was caused by a defective tie rod. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and had been informed that her tie rods were fine and could find no failure with the vehicle; the contact did not agree with the assessment. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2021Steering, TiresODI 11434640
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

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