The Lemon Index
20191st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
51 owner complaints, first 3 years 29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Ford Flex 762018 Ford EcoSport 622018 Mitsubishi Outlander 102
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,100 and 42,000 miles (8,200–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 37 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 17V717000 (parking brake) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any shudder, whine or slipping from the CVT? Ask for CVT fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Toyota sent dealers 160 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Dealer Letter: Momentary activation of the electronic parking brake (EPB) can occur in limited…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 51 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 42K miles (8K to 68K km) on the car (37 of all 51 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Slow parasitic drain on the new battery. At first signs show when starting the vehicle the display dash resets back to the default screen and then eventually you have to jump start the vehicle every time for use.
2018 Toyota C-HR owner · NHTSA complaint 11353396
More owner reports
Transmission fail replacement malfunction, and a third transmission again needs to be replaced the car has 80,000. Repair tech noted he has had many issues with the cvt transmissions.
NHTSA complaint 11329367
All of dashboard lights pop on randomly, car then slows down on its on randomly(middle of traffic etc) it isn't safe. Took to get a diagnostic reading done and there isn't any issues, they said that it was electrical issues
NHTSA complaint 11354508
Fixes owners look up most.
From 198 YouTube videos · 33.7M views · 2018–2022 Toyota C-HR
- Oil changes & service302K views
Reset Oil Life on Your 2018-2025 Toyota C-HR in SECONDS!Axtuo Ax · 130K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring202K views
Reset The Maintenance Required Light 2017-2020 Toyota C-HRJimthecarguy · 202K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical151K views
Check Charging System And Install Battery 2018 Toyota CHRJimthecarguy · 61K views · 4 videos - Brakes & ABS130K views
How To Enter & Exit Service Brake Mode 2018 Toyota C-HRJimthecarguy · 110K views · 2 videos
Show 2 more
- Transmission & shifter127K views
CHR Transmission Fluid | Part 1 | Toyota 2021 How to replace | 30,000 milesCHR MAINTENANCE · 55K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors34K views
2020 Toyota CHR Front Door Trim RemovalTintopia Window Tinting · 34K views
Before you buy, watch
Should you BUY the updated 2020 Toyota C-HR?Raiti's Rides · 400K views
2021 Nissan Kicks vs 2021 Toyota CHR Which One Should You Buy?Cars Unlocked · 75K views
2021 Toyota C-HR Video Review: MotorTrend Buyer's GuideMotorTrend Channel · 55K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 160 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dealer Letter: Momentary activation of the electronic parking brake (EPB) can occur in limited…
- Region Letter: Momentary activation of the electronic parking brake (EPB) can occur in limited…
- Dealer Email: Momentary activation of the electronic parking brake (EPB) can occur in limited…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Parking brake · recall issued 2017
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not operate properly, possibly causing the parking brake not to disengage after it is applied or prevent it from being applied.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota C-HR 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,050 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota C-HR year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Toyota C-HR years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-c-hr/?y=2018" title="Toyota C-HR reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-c-hr/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Toyota C-HR reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Toyota C-HR reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota C-HR year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2020.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota C-HR problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), transmission & drivetrain (29%) and brakes (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota C-HR have?
1 safety recall (latest: parking brake). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota C-HR get?
29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Toyota C-HR safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota C-HR problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,100 and 42,000 miles (8,200–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 37 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2018 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2018 Toyota C-HR have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Toyota C-HR cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Toyota C-HR have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Toyota C-HR year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2020 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works