2018 Toyota C-HR Complaint Log

At just under 83,000 miles my transmission began to make a whining sound which increased upon acceleration. I immediately had mechanic check it, then took it to my dealership where they diagnosed the problem as defective ball bearings within the transmission. I have contacted Toyota Corporate office and reported the problem with a request for no charge replacement. It's been crickets for 2 weeks. I did find that this is not just my vehicle as Toyota Canada did a recall on this and extended the warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles. There are many others in U.S. reporting same problem; and many YouTube videos documenting the same. This could be a danger when driving should the transmission stop functioning in heavy traffic; could cause a serious life threatening accident. Toyota must do the right thing and recall all affected vehicles. Customers should not have to pay $13,600.00 to replace transmission when Toyota is very aware if this defect.

I have a Toyota CHR 2018, bought it brand new in July 2018. I recently noticed a noise and when driving a difference when using the gas. I took it to 2 different mechanics and it is my Transmission. Is my car under warranty? It has less than 110K miles on it

CVT transmission failure after owning this vehicle for two years. I bought this vehicle in feb 2023 for my daughter in college and she has put only around 35k miles since the purchase. She took the car to the Toyota dealer oct 2025 reporting a whining noise and they stated the car now needs a complete replacement transmission costing $11,000. I am a single father and and still owe over $11000 on this car. Please consider a national recall on this transmission. I do not have financial resources to fix this car or purchase a new car for my daughter.

Bad transmission. Appears to be a widespread issue.

The transmission on my 2018 Toyota C-HR has been malfunctioning, and there is a noticeable grinding or rattling noise coming from the front end while driving. The issue occurs consistently during driving. This problem puts my safety at risk because the vehicle hesitates to accelerate properly, and the noise suggests a potential mechanical failure that could lead to loss of control while driving. The issue has not yet been officially confirmed by the Toyota dealer, but I plan to have it inspected. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem started around 67,000 mileages in October, and there were no warning lights or dashboard messages before the issue began. The noise has gradually worsened over time.

A barring in the CVT transmission went out and I was told by the dealer I need to replace the transmission. This is a common failure with this vehicle

Transmission internally failed. This has been confirmed through multiple sources. Dealership, mechanic. No warning lights, grinding noise. My safety is put at risk because A failing transmission creates multiple safety hazards while driving. The vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, hesitate, or fail to accelerate when needed, especially during turns, intersections, or highway merging. It can also shift unpredictably or refuse to shift, causing sudden jerking, surging, or deceleration that increases the risk of losing control. Transmission failure can lead to total loss of propulsion in traffic, leaving the vehicle stalled in dangerous locations. Additionally, fluid leaks and overheating pose fire risks. Overall, the unpredictable operation of a failing transmission significantly increases the likelihood of collisions and unsafe driving situations.

My vehicles CVT transmission went out after only 77k miles. Im reading online that this is a common problem and the costs to repair are 10k plus.

My car has been making high pitched whining sound from front end for the last 20,000 miles. I am currently at 101,500 mi and have been advised it is the transmission. I have done some research on the 2018 Toyota CHR's and found that Canada has extended the warranty of the CVT transmission to 193,000 miles [XXX] ). When I reached out to Toyota USA they acted as if they were unaware and could not assist now that my warranty has expired. Toyota's are known for their reliability and good quality. Now I am left with a car that isn't even paid off yet and relatively low on miles especially considering the issue started at about 90,000 miles. I want to bring this to your attention in hopes that if other countries recognize this as an issue and have made it right maybe something can be done here to rectify the situation. I also located class a class action lawsuit that has begun for Toyota on this issue [XXX] ). I am a single mother and can't afford to replace a transmission. Please help! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Not even 80k miles and the transmission is out. Come to find out this is a very common problem with these cars and you cannot even order the proper parts to fix it. So now we are out of a car that does not even have 80k miles on it.

transmission failures. Toyota experimented with a new transmission in the 2017-2020 CH-r models. No disclosures were attached. Replacements are the only option for this repair. Toyota is charging between $10,000-$14,000 for parts and labor.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the transmission. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied a claim from the owner. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Internal Bearing in transmission has a grinding sound, no shop is willing to fix it.

Just like everyone else with a 2018 CHR transmission making a loud whining sound then needs a new one

Transmission problems

I can hear a whirling sound coming from under the car. I took it to the mechanic and was told the transmission is failing and need replacement. I was told by At a Toyota dealership there is no maintenance on this transmission. It doesn’t even have a dipstick to check levels. The whole design is to replace rather than maintain. My car had 80k miles when it started

At approx 110K miles, I noticed the CVT transmission whining during acceleration - w/ the whining noise increasing/decreasing as I accelerated/decelerated. As the whining increased over the ensuing miles, during my 120K service, I asked the dealer to evaluate its cause - and was advised that my transmission is failing and that I need a new one. Estimated cost: $12K. Yes, trans is available for inspection upon request. Obviously, should the trans fail while the vehicle's being operated, it could leave the driver (me) stranded or worse. Trans has only been evaluated by the dealer's service tech(s). No warning lamps or other indicia that trans is failing has appeared. In addition, I've noticed no performance issues/differences - w/ the only symptom to this point being the loud whining as I accelerate.

I have a CVT transmission and it has failed. Out of no where I use the top notch oil etc and this has occurred. Nobody wants to touch this to fix it but those that do all are quoting me over $13k to put in a used replacement. There should be a recall on these- this topic is all over Reddit and car forums for premature transmission failure

My 2018 Toyota CHR started making a whining noise which I initially thought was a wheel bearing but was later confirmed to be a transmission problem. The mileage was 62, 871, but as I stated earlier it could have been earlier because I thought the initial noise was a wheel bearing. I took the Toyota CHR to the Toyota dealership on 10/14/25 at which time they determine the transmission was bad and had a cost of $12,369.64 to replace. The car did not have any indication or any warning lamps of the problem.

The transmission has failed at 135K miles. The dealer has confirmed. Cost to repair around $10,000. The vehicle periodically loses power/acceleration without warning - no lamps/lights/messages. Seems to be a common issue with this make and model.

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.

Transmission is making a humming sound while taking off then you can’t hear it anymore until you slow down was told by a transmission shop that it’s the bearing that goes inside the transmission and it’s a very costly fix up to $15,000 dollars transmission and labor

My transmission is going out at 60 thousand miles

My car started making a loud noise several months ago so I took it to a mechanic. When he looked at it, he informed me that the bearing in my transmission failed and could not be repaired because it would all need replaced. I couldn’t afford it so I called 3 other places who told me it needed fully replaced also since it’s CVT. I’ve been trying to trade it in with issues for months and nobody will take it and I can’t afford to fix it or pay it down. I fear for my safety every time I drive it because it now shakes pretty hard and the noise is much louder. At any time it could fully die while I’m on the road or freeway. I don’t have a choice to drive it because I can’t afford it. When I called Toyota at 108k miles they said it was over 100k and therefore the would not help me. That is when it first occcurred but it obviously still is an issue. I am happy for others to look at it but I really just need help because I’m very scared and overwhelmed

Car making a whining noise Took it to the mechanic and they diagnosed it as a transmission issue Looked online and noticed that this is a common issue that multiple people with this model are experiencing

My transmission went in my 2018 Toyota car and the dealer wants to charge me more than the cars worth. It only lasted until 83000 miles. Many others had the same complaint online and Toyota will not do anything about it. Took it in to the dealer when I was supposed to for maintenance. So frustrating that now I will have to get another car and can't afford it.

My front camera sensor light came on stating it was unavailable, then turned back on after a few minutes. About a week later on several occasions, the emergency brake notification came on when I was on the freeway with no vehicles in front of me to cause this. There has been an excessive whirring sound coming from the engine also. With these issues there have been no warning signs including check engine lights or other vehicle maintenance lights on. Reading complaints from other Toyota, CHR owners with similar issues, and stating they’ve had costly transmission failure brings a great deal of concern for my safety and those on the road.

CVT Transmission needs replacement at 120,000. Making a whining noise. Took it for service and it was confirmed. Same issues is being talked about in this Toyota CH-R Forum [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I noticed a high pitch whine that increased in volume with acceleration. I took the car to the local Toyota dealership to diagnose the issue and the CVT transmission is failing and needs to be replaced. I received a verbal quote of $10,000 which is greater than 70 % of the cars value.

Transmission shot after 100k miles. Dealer sold us on a lifetime transmission system, never to be serviced. There are thousands of people having the same problem on Reddit

At 85,000 miles the car began making a loud humming sound. When inspected by Toyota dealership they said I need a new transmission for $13,000. Upon researching the issues I came across numerous other people with the same make and model car with the same issues and outcomes.

the transmission has all of a sudden blown and no longer works. vehicle is no longer driveable and costs about $12,000 to repair.

Transmission failed even after vehicle being strictly maintained according to each and every Toyota recommended prepaid maintenance visit for the entire life of the vehicle. No warning signs of a serious failure.

I am writing to report a serious and potentially dangerous defect with my 2018 Toyota C-HR. Shortly after purchasing this vehicle, I began experiencing multiple issues related to the transmission. The car makes a persistent whining noise while accelerating, which was immediately concerning for a new vehicle. More alarmingly, the vehicle sometimes suddenly stops accelerating and begins to jerk unexpectedly while driving. This has happened on the road and creates a hazardous situation for myself and other drivers, as it can be difficult to maintain control of the vehicle, especially in traffic or at higher speeds. Despite owning the car for only a short period, I have been told that repairing these transmission issues will cost thousands of dollars, which is not normal for a relatively new vehicle. These problems are not only inconvenient but also pose a significant safety risk. I believe this may be a manufacturing defect affecting the transmission system. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter promptly to protect other consumers and ensure road safety. Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

I am having issues with the transmission bearings the vehicle is right at 80k miles and the transmission is giving an awful noise

CVT Transmission experienced a "catastrophic" failure without any prior warnings such as service lights, noises, or other signs of trouble. After driving for about 1 mile, I was attempting to accelerate to merge onto a highway, and the vehicle "rumbled" for a moment and then lost all acceleration. Luckily, there was a shoulder I could drift to, but otherwise I would have been stuck in traffic, potentially causing an accident. The vehicle has 48k original miles, a clean title, no accidents, and no other mechanical issues have ever occurred.

Unknown, all started 3 month ago car wasnt turning on, mechanic said was the battery, battery installed but kept reading same malfunctions, ebs , collision malfunction, steering wheel, speeding problems, Autozone has checked engine light on no specifics on warning lights.

I am currently at 75,000 miles on my Toyota CHR and starting to experience transmission failure related issues like shuttering, whinning and burnt smell. I have been unable to afford repairs for this vehicle. According to Toyota this is a problem with multiple Toyota CHR owners. There is a recall for this in Canada but has yet to be recalled in the USA.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "EPB and traction control fault detected" was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V717000 (Parking Brake), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.

Vehicle feels clunky and check engine light turned on and many other lights. Mechanic says there’s a problem with the transmission.

My Toyota chr 2018 transmission died on me and left me and my family stranded as it’s our only car and can’t afford anything else. Toyota in Salinas California told me 4 months ago it was the transmission making weird noises they’ve quoted $13,000 with no warning lights popping up. There is a lot people complaining about the same issue on the cvt transmission for Toyota

Transmission suddenly started to fail and compounded other major issues prrtaining to transmissikn failure.

The component that failed is the CVT transmission. Toyota dealership in kansas city replaced transmission and the faulty transmission is no longer available for inspection. The faulty transmission could have placed me at risk by failing without notice and causing a loss of control while driving. the componenet has been inspected by a toyota dealership named Molle toyota in kansas city and they have deemed that the transmission needed to be replaced as well as the torque converter. there were no warning lamps or messages, a faint whining noise was the only symptom.

Transmission failure at 102,000 miles. Purchased used at 70,000 miles. Dealership quoted almost $12,000 to replace transmission. No warning lights or warning messages. No issue(s) ever noted at routine maintenance at dealership. Took car to dealership because car was making a grumbling noise when driven. This is a known issue with 2018 Toyota CH-Rs. Should be a class action lawsuit. Toyota aware of issue as "there are now updates in place". Simple google search confirms that this is a known, widespread issue.

Vehicle: 2018 Toyota C-HR (Base Model) Issue: CVT Transmission Failure I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious defect in the CVT transmission of my 2018 Toyota C-HR. After owning it less than 2 years, the vehicle developed transmission problems that rendered it unsafe and ultimately undrivable. Multiple mechanics, including a dealership and a transmission specialist, confirmed the issue originates where the transmission meets the axle on the driver’s side. The recommended solution was a full transmission replacement, with repair costs quoted as high as $11,000, nearly equal to the car’s entire market value. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. There were no warning messages or lamps to indicate an issue prior to the incident that occurred. This situation raises serious safety concerns: The transmission failure occurred suddenly, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. I was on the way home during rush hour traffic. I approached a redlight and came to a stop. Once the light turned green, my car wouldn't accelerate and began rolling backwards any time I attempted to accelerate. A transmission defect can cause unexpected loss of power or drivability, putting myself, drivers nearby and passengers at risk on the road. The fact that this issue is widely reported among Toyota owners suggests a systemic defect that compromises public safety. Customers are forced to choose between paying exorbitant repair costs or continuing to make loan payments on a car they cannot drive. Toyota has long been viewed as a trusted brand known for reliability, yet this defect undermines that reputation and leaves loyal customers feeling misled. I respectfully urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and Toyota to issue a recall or extended warranty coverage for affected CVT transmissions. Customers should not be left with unsafe, undrivable vehicles and repair costs that exceed the cars value. This is not only a matter of fairness but of public safety.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure, and advised the contact that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.

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 failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

My Toyota CH-R 2018, has an horrible noise due to CVT transmission problems. Because the bearing is the cause of the failure, and that the failure is a result of a manufacturer’s defect in the transmission. warranty expired, but why the noise was not diagnosed as a pending failure during one of the regular service appointments. I also have learned that they are many vehicles with this same issue.

I have a 2018 chr and the transmission start make a noise so i bring the car to the Toyota dealer and the transmission shift fine is making noise like some baring or gear is going bad so they told me the transmission needs to be replaced and the cost is $9000 plus labor total $11000 so a cost more than the car so I don’t know why Toyota use this type of transmission if the cost so much is not getting reliable anymore that is insane they need to open a recall for this is totally ripping off what they do hopefully they will get a solution for that is not fair are several complaints for the same problems if they use the cvt transmission they supposed to have at least a fair price to replace it to be affordable to the consumer

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud pitch whining sound while attempting to shift gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle vibrated when the contact came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.