2020 Toyota C-HR: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (75% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 6 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2026
“Transmission bearing is going out. I hear a whine noise while driving. And took it to a Transmission shop and was told the Transmission bearing goes out alot on these types vehicle. And i just bought this car used 1 month ago.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
“Had the car brand new since 2020 just started to hear noises took it to the dealership and they said the transmission needs to be replaced”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Transmission bearing failure. Whining noise started about 2 months ago and continually got worse before complete transmission failure.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
“Started hearing a whining noise shortly after buying this car and found out it is an internal bearing failure inside the CVT transmission that is widely known in these vehicles to fail but there has been no recalls to correct the problem and could cost me money I don't have to get it fixed.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
“My transmission is whining and the mechanic shop is stating that I need a new transmission. A common issue they are seeing within vehicles with the CVT transmission”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2026
“The contact's customer owns a 2020 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding and whining sounds coming from the transmission. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the CVT transmission was failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 76,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“2020 CHR transmission failure. There were no lights no notice nothing appeared to warn me. The car started making a faint winding sound. Bought car brand new 2020 and Toyota Fred Anderson Raleigh diagnosed with internal transmission failure 2/28/26. The car is 20000 miles over warranty so they are telling me there's no coverage for me and billed me 12000$ for a new transmission”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2026
“Cvt transmission fails for no reason on a new car could be very dangerous for us and other on the road i think toyota should be responsible and resolve this issue”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2026
“The front of the car started making a high pitched whining noise at around 115000 miles. I had the breakpads and the rotors replaced but the sound kept on. Then the dealership said that the transmission is causing the noise. There were no warnings prior to the sound.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2020 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact C-HR by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Toyota C-HR reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2020 Toyota C-HR. The most complained-about area is power train (75% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2020 Toyota C-HR problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 14,750 miles or less.
Does the 2020 Toyota C-HR have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:rear/other. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.