Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Toyota C-HR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown messages were displayed with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. Out of precaution, the contact had the vehicle towed to his residence and replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact notified the dealer of the failure however, the dealer offered no assistance. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota C-HR. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,433 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 262,136.
The electric parking brake system on my vehicle has malfunctioned and is stuck in the engaged position, preventing my rear brake pads and rotors from being changed. The component is still in my possession and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This issue directly impacts vehicle safety, as I am unable to service or replace the rear brakes, which are a critical safety component. Additionally, the malfunction may cause the brake to engage or fail to disengage unexpectedly, creating a risk while driving or parking. Confirmed by a Professional: Yes, the problem has been confirmed by an independent service center, which attempted to service the brakes but could not proceed due to the failure of the electric parking brake actuator/module. …
Mi guagua tiene problemas con la transmisi n. El fallo se manifiesta con un sonido extra o y fuerte que aparece al conducir. La transmisi n defectuosa sigue instalada y est disponible para inspecci n si se solicita. Esta situaci n pone en riesgo mi seguridad y la de otros, ya que el da o podr a empeorar y dejarme sin control del veh culo o inmovilizarlo por completo. Se ha evaluado la guagua y las indicaciones son problemas en la transmisi n, los s ntomas son constantes y f ciles de reproducir. No hubo luces de advertencia ni mensajes antes de que apareciera el fallo; el nico s ntoma previo fue un ligero ruido que con el tiempo se volvi m s fuerte. La causa exacta es desconocida, pero sospecho que puede ser problemas en la transmisi n.
I have a blue/white 2018 C-HR made in Japan. I do regular maintenance on my car monthly with oil changes every 3k miles. I had this car for 3 years only. I bought it from a toyota dealership with only 25k miles with one owner. At 35k miles it was whining and shaking and I took it to toyota to be serviced they kept it for a day and they found nothing wrong. I thought nothing of it but since then my car had this low shake/rattle to it. I've changed sparks and coils thinking it was that. Finally, today at only 49,900 miles with no signs previously this cars transmission blows not allowing me to reverse or switch gears on me and the head gasket blew allowing water to mix with the oil basically totaling my car.
Unknown cause, went to turn on car and battery had died. Recent inspection shows battery power was great. No lights turned on when car was off. Found forums of other drivers describing the same issue stating their dealerships were unable to address the problem. Dash showed "EPB not available", "Abnormal Voltage" and "Power Steering Low" while driving. Difficult to turn the steerwhing wheel and radio was going in and out. https://www.toyotachrforum.com/threads/abnormal-voltage-steering-power-low-message.6191/ https://www.chrforums.uk/threads/abnormal-voltage-stearing-power-low.2308/ https://m.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/C-HR/2018/steering/steering.shtml
One day the climate control cluster was inoperable. The lights didn't come on with the vehicle and was unable to change temperature/AC or turn on the blower motor. Took vehicle into Larry H. Miller Toyota Dealership and they told me it was the ECM (wasn't communicating properly with the LAN system) and that the heated seats were affected as well. This is as 2018 with only 30k miles on it and says it's not covered under warranty and I will have to pay $1,500 out of pocket. This was a Manufacturer defect, why is the consumer having to pay for a manufacturers defect?
Electrical system malfunction. Abnormal voltage power steering low. These messages turned on after we felt the steering wheel become really heavy and making it hard to make the freeway entrance. The Toyota Ch-R shut down right before we merged onto the freeway. We were left on the blind spot of the freeway entrance in the night, so it left us quite vulnerable to an accident and possible death. The vehicle will be taken to Toyota dealership, since it still falls under the 60 month warranty.
While driving in June 2023 I was suddenly unable to turn my steering wheel and I had issues bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle warning notice was "abnormal voltage steering power low". Once I was able to stop the vehicle stopped altogether. I towed the vehicle to my Toyota dealership and the description on the repair is Learn Value Reset and R&R CV Valve Lift Con. I am still having this issue which presents a safety concern as I can't steer and stop the vehicle.
When I drive the car it just cuts off I took it to the dealer ship many times they claim that didn't know want the issue was but said something about replacing fuse so I replace the fuse the car drives maybe 5 to 10 miles then cuts off and the fuse is blown again. I constantly have to change fuses dealer can't help. It's an electrical or wire problem. I have two people that had. 2018 Toyota chr that does the same thing
Electrical complaints in other C-HR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Toyota C-HR?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Toyota C-HR, 9% of the model year's 326 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Toyota C-HR electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Toyota C-HR, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota C-HR electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.