BestCarRank
Toyota

2021 Toyota C-HR

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Toyota C-HR has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 127. The most common issue is transmission problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: 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. . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

6 crash reports 5 injuries

46

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

13 complaints
28%
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Transmission went out at 40 thousand miles.this car has been serviced and maintaned as directed. No rough use what so every.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

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.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Toyota C-HR

Based on 14 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 29K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
7
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR24/02/2022

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) inoperative.

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.

Fix: 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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA02.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Toyota C-HR

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,656
Per month
$138
Per mile
13.8¢
MPG
29
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$1,778/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Toyota C-HR

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,687
Full coverage / month
$141
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
+1%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.05x
= Full coverage estimate$1687

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota C-HR Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2021 C-HR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • TRANSMISSION: 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.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE 9TH OF APRIL 2021 AT 06:45AM ON OUR COMPANY'S CAR PARK, THIRD LEVEL. AS I WAS PARKING THE TOYOTA CHR, I'M FULLY AWARE THAT I'M JUST LIGHTLY STEPPING ON THE GAS LIKE WHAT I'M DOING WHEN I'M PARKING THE CAR EVERYTIME I GO TO WORK WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP. IT HAPPEN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED IN THE MID-DAY SUN, ALONG ENTIRE LENGTH OF BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN SEVERAL DAYS, AND WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. NO EVIDENCE OF DISTURBANCE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: I purchased the car in April of 2021 and by the end of the month it was in the shop because it was consuming way to much fuel I’ve been back to the dealer since for this matter many times as well as many time for other safety defects like the lane keeping assist taking over and forcing me into oppos

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Toyota C-HR — Year Comparison

How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
46
Recalls
1
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
6
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
127

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2021 Toyota C-HR