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2018 Toyota C-HR

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most C-HR years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota C-HR are substantially higher than the model-year median of 48.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 60 of 319 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 211 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Mi guagua tiene problemas con la transmisión. El fallo se manifiesta con un sonido extraño y fuerte que aparece al conducir. La transmisión defectuosa sigue instalada y está disponible para inspección si se solicita. Esta situación pone en riesgo mi seguridad y la de otros, ya que el daño podría empeorar y dejarme sin control d…

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Mi guagua tiene problemas con la transmisión. El fallo se manifiesta con un sonido extraño y fuerte que aparece al conducir. La transmisión defectuosa sigue instalada y está disponible para inspección si se solicita. Esta situación pone en riesgo mi seguridad y la de otros, ya que el daño podría empeorar y dejarme sin control del vehículo o inmovilizarlo por completo. Se ha evaluado la guagua y las indicaciones son problemas en la transmisión, los síntomas son constantes y fáciles de reproducir. No hubo luces de advertencia ni mensajes antes de que apareciera el fallo; el único síntoma previo fue un ligero ruido que con el tiempo se volvió más fuerte. La causa exacta es desconocida, pero sospecho que puede ser problemas en la transmisión.

NHTSA ODI #11679619

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2025
EngineExterior Lighting

My transmission started failing 4 years after I bout it. And now it’s worse than ever

NHTSA ODI #11678574

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2025
Engine

Transmission went out more than once, the first time within warranty only a few years after the vehicle was on the market two years after getting it replaced it was no longer within warranty and they are refusing to repair it. I would have to pay $1200 if you look at the Toyota forum there are thousands and thousands and thousan…

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Transmission went out more than once, the first time within warranty only a few years after the vehicle was on the market two years after getting it replaced it was no longer within warranty and they are refusing to repair it. I would have to pay $1200 if you look at the Toyota forum there are thousands and thousands and thousands of people with 2018 CHR who are having the same exact problem. The fact that the Corolla CVT engines are being recalled and other vehicles are being recalled except for the CHR is ridiculous. Please look into

NHTSA ODI #11668681

91,000 miles · Mar 14, 2025
EngineForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved loudly while the transmission was stuck in low gear. The check engine, power steering, Forward Collision Avoidance, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon e…

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The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved loudly while the transmission was stuck in low gear. The check engine, power steering, Forward Collision Avoidance, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon exceeding 25 MPH, the engine revved loudly to 4,000 RPM. The contact drove to the residence, where the vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile independent mechanic. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. Glen Burnie Transmissions was contacted, and the contact was informed that there were several similar vehicles at the location being repaired for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11648296

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2025
Engine

The transmission bearing has an internal failure making the vehicle jerk and noisy. When I drive the car it shakes / jerks A LOT. My safety is put at risk because the car can stall out. TOYOTA LET ME DRIVE MY CAR HOME FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER FAILING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I currently cannot drive my car because I can stall …

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The transmission bearing has an internal failure making the vehicle jerk and noisy. When I drive the car it shakes / jerks A LOT. My safety is put at risk because the car can stall out. TOYOTA LET ME DRIVE MY CAR HOME FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER FAILING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I currently cannot drive my car because I can stall out and crash! I had no warnings, no lights , no nothing telling me there was an issue ! It just started jerking when I was driving. I have been to the dealer I bought the car from and they did nothing to fix the issue. How can an issue like this not show up on my car dashboard!! ? I have video of the car jerking as well.

NHTSA ODI #11633776

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2024
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Power train failed on my 3 year old car. It could've been catastrophic if it failed on the road. The CVT transmission is a mess. It's also caused undue financial burden on every CHR owner since the power train had continued to fail uncontrollably. This car was traded in since the transmission had failed. There should be a recall…

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Power train failed on my 3 year old car. It could've been catastrophic if it failed on the road. The CVT transmission is a mess. It's also caused undue financial burden on every CHR owner since the power train had continued to fail uncontrollably. This car was traded in since the transmission had failed. There should be a recall on every CVT that was manufactured in 2018. Every owner and previous owner should be compensated for the loss. After market and rebuilt power trains weren't available since the car was 3 years old. Almost $10k to replace this transmission. This car was taken to a Toyota dealer who assured me that is was "cupped tires". I'm confident that they knew what the problem was. By the time the power train failure was detected, the car was out of warranty. Thanks

NHTSA ODI #11581395

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2023
EnginePower Train

General Defect with Transmission causing gear slippage at low RPMs from day one. Car can soft stutter to hard stutter going from idling position to soft press of accelerator. Hard transmission failure starting at 80K mi even with preventative maintenance. additional engine stalls randomly in middle of driving starting to appe…

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General Defect with Transmission causing gear slippage at low RPMs from day one. Car can soft stutter to hard stutter going from idling position to soft press of accelerator. Hard transmission failure starting at 80K mi even with preventative maintenance. additional engine stalls randomly in middle of driving starting to appear with no error codes.

NHTSA ODI #11544699

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2023
Engine

The transmission and torque converter both failed one morning. As soon as I️ realized I️ had a problem I️ took it to the mechanic. My car is available for inspection. I️ was lucky is happened while not driving. The issue has been confirmed by the mechanic as the problem and the NHTSA comments from others show it is a reoccurring…

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The transmission and torque converter both failed one morning. As soon as I️ realized I️ had a problem I️ took it to the mechanic. My car is available for inspection. I️ was lucky is happened while not driving. The issue has been confirmed by the mechanic as the problem and the NHTSA comments from others show it is a reoccurring problem with 2018 CHR Toyotas. The car has not been inspected by police or insurance representative. My car had a oil change a month prior at same mechanic and no lights or issues.

NHTSA ODI #11535058

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

This specific vehicle has a major issue with the transmission system that has not been addressed and ignored by dealer/seller. No warning lamps appeared notifying driver of issue.

NHTSA ODI #11486988

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2022
EnginePower Train

Powertrain transmission breakdown and failure. From my investigating it is clearly evident this is a common recurring safety malfunction. pertaining to 2018 Toyota Chr. I have read over 100 cases in online forums describing exactly what is now happening to my vehicle. Starts with a loud front end humming or whistling noise when …

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Powertrain transmission breakdown and failure. From my investigating it is clearly evident this is a common recurring safety malfunction. pertaining to 2018 Toyota Chr. I have read over 100 cases in online forums describing exactly what is now happening to my vehicle. Starts with a loud front end humming or whistling noise when the car is accelerating over 5mph. In a short time the problem worsen to shuttering, and ultimate transmission failure. Almost all the cases I have read the occurrence happens between 60,000 - 90,000 miles. Once brought in for diagnosis the outcome is the same for all vehicles the Transmission and torque converter are at fault and needs to be replaced. What I have further discovered is Toyota did a recall on the one vehicle that is identical to the 2018 Toyota Chr: Toyota recalls Corolla Hatchbacks The torque converter in the Continuously Variable Transmission could fail Read less Toyota is recalling about 3,400 model year 2019 Corolla Hatchbacks. The torque converter in the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) could fail, resulting in a loss of motive power increasing the risk of crash. What to do Toyota is currently obtaining parts to replace the Direct Shift-CVT with a new one containing a new torque converter not affected by this issue at no cost to customers. Owners of all recalled vehicles will will be notified by first-class mail. The recall is expected to begin in mid-February. Owners may contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331 Toyota is recalling about 3,400 model year 2019 Corolla Hatchbacks.The torque converter in the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) could fail, resulting in injury From what I read this was not a Government or Safety mandated recall and Toyota did this recall silently, letting the problem vehicles come to them first. Please see that something is done for this clear and present safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11473136

Official recalls

1

17V717000 · Parking Brake

Nov 15, 2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota CH-R vehicles. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not operate properly, possibly causing the parking brake not to disengage after it is applied or prevent it from being applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the EPB cannot be applied, there is an increased risk of a vehicle rollaway if the vehicle is parked on a hill without being placed into "Park."

Remedy: Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will update the programming of the skid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0W.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.