TOYOTA C-HR · model year

2020 TOYOTA C-HR

51 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020TOYOTAC-HR carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 C-HR is power train with 28 filings, followed by electrical system (4) and unknown or other (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2020 C-HR, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

51
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 TOYOTA C-HR — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

51 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN28
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STEERING2
WHEELS2
TIRES2
SEAT BELTS2
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
SUSPENSION1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ENGINE1

Recalls (1)

19V87700011/12/2019

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Recent Complaints

20260128POWER TRAIN

ONLY AFTER 5YRS THE TRANS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE THERE SHOULD BE A WARRANTY FOR THIS TRANS THERE IS ONE FOR 2018 2019

20260116POWER TRAIN

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

20260116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20260109POWER TRAIN

My transmission started making whining noises about 100000 miles I brought it in to get diagnosed and was confirmed that my transmission is going out and will cost 10000 dollars to replace the car made it to about 130000 miles and the transmission fully went out the car is sitting behind my house currently waiting for me to raise the money to fix it the car was used for daily commute to work and had regular maintenance and I don't beat on my vehicles so there was nothing done on my half to cause any damage to the transmission

20260108POWER TRAIN

Car is making a clunking/whirring noise that speeds up with acceleration and slows with deceleration. Also beginning to have a vibration. No warning lights on the dashboard. Dealer states an entire new transmission is needed, more than $11,000. This is a large financial burden. I see reports online that there is a known issue with the CVT transmissions in C-HRs causing failure, and Toyota Canada has extended warranties to cover the problem. Toyota USA has not yet. As this is a known problem with this part, please initiate a recall or encourage a warranty extension, something to address this so that transmissions are not failing on the road - most owners do not have this amount of money to cover a sudden, expensive repair/replacement like this.

20260108POWER TRAIN

Trans is shot bearing went in it I understand they had problems with 2018-2019

20260108POWER TRAIN

Transmission failed days of buying the car used. Had less than 90,000 miles on it.

20260107POWER TRAIN

Transmission appears to be shifting hard at times.

20260107UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Transmission issues before 120000 miles told by TOYOTA technician at maintenance.

20260102POWER TRAIN

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.

20251225POWER TRAIN

I bought the car about 3 years ago. Car had 19,000 and today has 118,000. Transmission is completely failing. Back left seat belt does not work.

20251225SEAT BELTS

I bought the car about 3 years ago. Car had 19,000 and today has 118,000. Transmission is completely failing. Back left seat belt does not work.

20251213POWER TRAIN

Purchased a used 2020 Toyota CH-R at Fairless Motors in the Philadelphia, PA area. As I was driving homw, noise at front right began. Took to mechanic as per dealer's request and was diagnosed with a transmission failure that required a complete replacement at $11,500. I purchased the car for $20,000, only drove it for one day and am now stuck making $500 per month payments for a car that does not run

20251211POWER TRAIN

Transmission went out dropping daughter off at school.

20251210POWER TRAIN

The bearing in the transmission has failed at 92384k miles. This is a known issue and Toyota has not issued a recall. My car is currently at the dealership I am waiting to hear if it's to be repaired or replaced.

20251209ENGINE

I was driving on the highway, roughly going 70-75 miles an hour, and as i began to exit the highway the check engine lights on the dashboard came on and the vehicle seized up. Upon inspection at the Toyota Dealership, they said that the transmission has been broken, as well as shrapnel metal being in the axles of the front wheel drive, stopping the car from moving. As i was stuck on the exit of the highway, NTTA was forced to block the exit as well as tow my car to the nearest parking lot, causing traffic jams on the highway. Upon research I found that issues with the transmission is not uncommon in this vehicle.

20251209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was driving on the highway, roughly going 70-75 miles an hour, and as i began to exit the highway the check engine lights on the dashboard came on and the vehicle seized up. Upon inspection at the Toyota Dealership, they said that the transmission has been broken, as well as shrapnel metal being in the axles of the front wheel drive, stopping the car from moving. As i was stuck on the exit of the highway, NTTA was forced to block the exit as well as tow my car to the nearest parking lot, causing traffic jams on the highway. Upon research I found that issues with the transmission is not uncommon in this vehicle.

20251113POWER TRAIN

CAR STARTED MAKING A HUMMING, WHINING TYPE NOISE. I WORK OUT OF TOWN SO WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. AND THE COST WAS OVER $10000 TO FIX. THIS IS A 5 YEAR OLD CAR!!! I STILL OWE $7000 ON THE CAR!!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT TO KEEP MY CAR GOING!!! I STARTED TO LOOK THINGS UP AND WE TOOK CAR TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE. THEY LOOKED IN TO IT AND STATED YES THE TRANISMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. THEY COULD ONLY FIND 1 OF THE PIECES NEEDED TO FIX TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE CHARGING $9000 ON IT. I CANT AFFORD TO BE DOING ALL OF THIS! HARD PART IS 5 YEARS AGO I WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT BEING HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK. I HAD A CHR AT THE TIME. IT IS UNKOWN HOW I LIVED THROUGH EVERYTHING. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. ODDLY ENOUGH THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP GETTING A CHR THE WAS THE SAME AS MINE JUST NEWER. IT WAS MEANT FOR US TO GET THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR SAVED MY LIFE. SO WE BUY THE NEW CHR AND NOW THIS!!! I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR MONTHS, AND ME

20251101POWER TRAIN

The CVT transmission has a faulty bearing and it will fail within the next 30,000 miles. Toyota refuses to replace my transmission to the newer, better variant.

20251022POWER TRAIN

Good evening, My 2020 Toyota C-HR’s transmission broke down today while I was driving my kids to school. The car was last serviced on September 27, 2025, and at that time, no issues were mentioned regarding the transmission. I paid $269.19 for the service and $597.65 for the brake pad replacement. I was not expecting such a serious issue, especially with a relatively new car. The repair estimate I received is over $11,000, which I cannot afford. I’m a single mother living alone with my children, and this situation has put me in a very difficult position. I kindly ask that Toyota review my case for possible goodwill assistance or partial coverage, given that the car has been regularly maintained and is only slightly past the warranty limit. Thank you for your time and understanding. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Compare 2020TOYOTAC-HR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR have?
The 2020 TOYOTA C-HR has 51 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR?
The 2020 TOYOTA C-HR received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR?
Yes, the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR?
The most-complained component for the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR is POWER TRAIN with 28 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2020 TOYOTA C-HR safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 TOYOTA C-HR has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.