Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2021 Toyota C-hr

The Verdict

91 Smooth Ride

The 2021 Toyota C-hr has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (17 complaints) and body (9 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 91/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota C-hr, consider the 2022 model year which has 91% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2022 has 91% fewer complaints

View the 2022 Toyota C-hr dashboard →

91

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

22V107000 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 C-HR vehicles. The radar sensor may not have been activated during production, making the pre-collision system (PCS) ino...

Risk

An inoperative PCS that does not provide a malfunction indicator to the driver, or braking assist as expected, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and activate the radar sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-433...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2021 Toyota C-hr. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
201836232143204
20193136965
2020812648
2021924417
202200003

By Category

Transmission
17
Body
9
Electrical
4
Engine
4
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
18
2
15
4
3

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 1

I have a very loud whine coming from the front of my 2021 Toyota CHR with 93,000 miles. At first I thought it was a wheel bearing so I replaced it but the noise did not change. Over the last few days it has become louder and louder. Now every once in a while the car feels like it almost slips then catches traction. The noise has been confirmed by an independent shop, who said there is a new TSB (T-SB-0048-26) for the transmission which they said matches everything they noticed with my vehicle but it was only for 2018-2019. No warning lights or anything has appeared.

5d ago
Body 1

My vehicle began making a grinding noise. I immediately called the issue in to Toyota of Dallas. I scheduled to have all my tires replaced and to inspect the noise. I was informed that my CVT needed to be replaced. The dealership is unwilling to replace the CVT despite prior recalls on CVTs in 2018 and 2019 for Toyota CHR. My 2021 vehicle is paid off, has little to no wear and tear (I only drive locally), and has been taken to the dealership consistently when service is needed. I should not have a bad transmission. This vehicle is not safe for the road and I don't feel safe with myself nor my family to travel in this vehicle. I have to drive at very low speed to get to work, get the kids to school, etc and this is the only vehicle I possess. I cannot think of any reason of what would cause the CVT to go bad other than the dealership not properly maintaining the transmission OR simply a faulty transmission.

11d ago
Transmission 1

There was a sound that the car was making. Took in to the Toyota of Ashland dealership they could not repair it. The CVT bearing needs replaced.

1mo ago
Transmission 1

Driving to [XXX] from [XXX] to visit my [XXX] mother. Stopped in [XXX] called my brother to come fallow me the rest of the way because a noise that started under the car was very disturbing. My brother fallowed. Me the rest of the way to [XXX] to my sisters house. This was XXX the following day my sister had me take it into a local shop in town. They said it was the transmission and I knew I couldn’t afford a new transmission I just bought the car a week ago for 17,000. I asked the dealer to help nothing asked Toyota for help nothing . Decided to get a second opinion and took it to AAMCO same diagnosis. This powertrain if it would have seized up while driving I could have been killed or hurt or even worse I could have hurt a child or killed a child. This is unexceptionable. Why is it that they are doing something for people in [XXX] but not the [XXX]. Are we less important? I know they are under investigation but allmost all the companies that are having problems with there cvt transmissions are at least trying to do something. I have multiple sclerosis and this stressed me out so much I went to the emergency room to get care. Please make them take accountability. We are important too. This happened XXX and today is XXX and I might have my car back XXX to go home. I had to get a 5,000 signature loan on top of the 17,000 loan i just got to get the car borrowed 1,300 from my husband boss and a 1,000 from my sister. I would have got it all from the bank but that’s all they could give me with the one loan. I hadn’t enven had time to make one payment. The loan I had to get is a high cost loan but none of this should be happening. I’m grateful no one got hurt but this does hurt me. Especially if I end up not being able to pay for it in the end on 1010 a month. Please seriously look into this INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Transmission 1

It will not drive forward and only in reverse. There is a known bearing issue but unfortunately this is past the 60k and no recall.

3mo ago
Body 1

On May 26, 2026 I was driving on the highway at around 50mph and the vehicle swerved to the right on its own causing me to swerve back and forth between two lanes for about 10 seconds. The wheel moved on its own causing me to use force to try to get the car back in control. Thankfully no one was next to me but if that had not been the case, it would have a caused a serious and life threatening accident. Had I been going any faster or on the regular streets, I am certain the vehicle would have flipped or ran off the road. It was EXTREMELY scary, especially as I am a mother and my baby is frequently in the car. I have contacted two separate Toyota dealerships neither one of them giving any concern to my safety or well-being and are charging me $100+ to run a diagnostics. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, I no longer believe that Toyota cares about their clients and will no longer be recommending Toyota for their lack of concern of their drivers safety. There were no warning messages or notifications before, during, or after the incident.

5mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota CH-R. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound that progressively became louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for routine maintenance since the whining sound started, but the dealer had not advised the contact of a transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a goodwill assistance offer, which the contact declined. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

5mo ago
Transmission 2

The car has developed a growl/whine from the transmission. A trip to the mechanic determined that it sounded as if a bearing inside the transmission is failing. A check online showed multiple complaints regarding the transmission failing with the same issues as my car, and what appeared to be a possible class action lawsuit being filed regarding this transmission issue. No recall is showing for the transmission from Toyota. Recommendation from the mechanic was to replace the transmission rather than repair it.

5mo ago
Transmission 1

unusual noises, unexpected slipping, deacceleration. According to mechanics is a CVT bearing failure

5mo ago
Transmission 2

The transmission has failed. Started making a whirring noise at 60000 and got worse from there. Toyota wants to charge 13k to fix issue.

6mo ago
Transmission 2

My transmission went out on my 2021 C-HR. The problem is, Toyota continued making and selling the car after they knew there was an issue. The 2018 and 19 models had transmission recalls, but they failed to fix the issue and continued to let others purchase a vehicle that was going to fail.

7mo ago
Transmission 2

I was told that the bearing was going out in the transmission. Toyota is charging $11,000 to replace it. Seems to be a common occurrence amongst these vehicles.

8mo ago
Transmission 2

The transmission all of a sudden started making a whistling noise. Took it to the shop for them to tell me the transmission is bad and needs replaced.

9mo ago
Body 2

Our family vehicle is barely 5 years old with a little over 100k miles driven and is already in need of a transmission. We invested in a Toyota because they are known for being reliable and efficient cars but now are expected to either pay 8-10k or use the C-HR as a paltry down payment of $2k for another car we would once again start paying down. This is not the product or experience we expect especially since the car was properly maintained at every step.

9mo ago
Engine 1

My 2021 CHR, that I purchased in March 2021 with 11 miles on it, started making a noise when driving in December 2025 so I took it in to Street Toyota in Amarillo, TX on 12-27-2025. It was confirmed that the automatic transaxle needed to be replaced and it would cost $15,653.58 to replace. The cost of my car brand new was $21,000.

10mo ago
Transmission 2

Electrical failure of the transmission. No inciting incident. Confirmed by the dealership who has done all maintenance on the vehicle. Vehicle suddenly cannot go above 25mph and will not shift gears. Vehicle has approx 60k miles on it.

10mo ago
Transmission 1

Bought car December 2024 with 54,557 miles and had it inspected at time of purchase; inspection was fine. Car started making odd noise last week, so I took it in for an oil change and they ran diagnostics and determined it needs the transmission replaced, having 67,764 miles. Mechanic told me this is a "known issue" that Toyota is aware of this and won't recall the affected cars. It's going to cost me $12k to fix. Toyota Canada has already acknowledged there is a problem with the cars.

12mo ago
Transmission 2

Transmission went out at 40 thousand miles.this car has been serviced and maintaned as directed. No rough use what so every.

12mo ago
Transmission 1

Original owner. Vehicle has internal failure of transaxle at exactly 60,000 miles. All routine services for the life of the car has been completed by a Toyota dealer.

13mo ago
Transmission 1

Transmission failure. Required service visits always on time with no indication of any problems. After a noticeable change in the vehicle drive and noise from the engine, the vehicle was immediately brought to the dealer service center for inspection. The dealer confirmed transmission malfunction. The dealer refused to extend the warranty which would cover a good portion of the cost. Instead they suggested full out of pocket replacement or trade and buy. Despite all this, the monthly car payment is still my responsibility. Unfortunately being a one income household, I am unable to replace or buy a replacement vehicle. After some online investigation, the transmission issue is common and documented issues in the US and CAN. In my opinion, Toyota has done nothing to remedy the known transmission issues and has total disregard for the customer. At this point, all I need is a reliable car before I return to my job as a teacher's assistance..... before school is back in session. Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to hearing from you!

16mo ago

36 total

1/ 2
Report a Klunk