The Lemon Index
202020221st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Ford Bronco Sport 3612021 Honda Passport 1672021 Ford EcoSport 270
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 22V107000 (automatic emergency braking) 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?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Toyota sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and…”?
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 15 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 1K to 30K miles (2K to 48K km) on the car (6 of all 15 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
Improper programming. ECU vehicle is an LE trim but the computer states that it is an XLE Premium
2021 Toyota C-HR owner · NHTSA complaint 11455635
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 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and…
- When customers have a concern about a discharged battery, no start, or general battery concern
- Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2022
The radar sensor may not have been activated during production, making the pre-collision system (PCS) inoperative.
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 Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota C-HR 5 HB FWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-c-hr/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Toyota C-HR reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Toyota C-HR reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 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 2021 Toyota C-HR problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (27%), automatic emergency braking (20%) and seat belts (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have?
1 safety recall (latest: automatic emergency braking). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota C-HR get?
29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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.
Does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Toyota C-HR cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Toyota C-HR year is better than the 2021?
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