Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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. …
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally loud humming sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the transmission was hesitating while shifting into gear. The contact stated that RPM was extremely elevated before upshifting to the next gear. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced due to a failed bearing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,321.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the bearings were damaged and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been driven since. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a squeaking sound coming from the rear suspension of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V710000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change. The contact made the dealer aware of the failure and the recall. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
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 contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound that became louder during acceleration. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the bearings in the transmission had failed, causing the transmission failure. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the vehicle had been recalled in Canada due to the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,960.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Axle hubs
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. The rear axle hub bearing bolts may have been insufficiently tightened, causing the bolts to loosen and damage the rear brake components or cause a rear wheel to detach.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle hub bearing bolts. If a bolt is found to be loose or detached, the dealer will replace the rear axle hub bearing assembly and rear axle carrier…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota C-HR years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (216), 2019 (65), 2020 (50) and 2021 (16) model years. Transmission complaints make up 66% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Toyota C-HR transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 18V-710 (axle hubs, Oct 11, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota C-HR transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 13% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (2 mentions), followed by the axle hubs (1).
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.