2021 Toyota C-HR Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Electrical system & windshield issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

The concept of the Toyota C-HR was introduced to the public way back in 2014 at the Paris Motor Show. While it was sold in Europe from 2016, it was only the 2018 model that was launched in the U.S. in 2017.

Lemberg Law highlighted the problems and top complaints of the 2018 model in an article about lemon law legal rights. By the end of 2018, there were 14 complaints on file with the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Now, this number has risen to 58. Powertrain issues top the list with 19 complaints, while electrical system problems total 15.

Click on other model year to view more problems:  2018   2020

Don’t be stuck with a lemon. You have legal rights to cash, return or buyback.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Toyota C-HR

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Electrical System
4
Unknown Or Other
3
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar
1
Seat Belts
1
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
Power Train
1
Fuel/propulsion System
1
Lane Departure: Assist
1
Air Bags
1

And every model since has attracted official NHTSA complaints.

So far, there are 6 complaints about the 2021 Toyota C-HR lodged with NHTSA. There has also been one recall related to forward-collision avoidance. In total there have been 52 manufacturer “early warning” communications that notify dealers of problems and faults.

Most Common Problems with the 2021 Toyota C-HR

There are several components that consumers have mentioned in complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota C-HR. Although there are only 6 complaints, these highlight double the number of component and/or system problems.

Issues reported are filed in categories that relate to airbags, back-over prevention, the electrical system, forward-collision avoidance, the fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, the powertrain, and vehicle speed control. Because most have dual issues, we have created categories that match the problems

2021 Toyota C-HR Safety Issues

Half of the complaints involve safety issues. One involving back-over prevention and vehicle speed control resulted in a series of crashes that wrecked two cars.

The incident happened early one morning on the third level of a company car park. The owner of the C-HR was parking the car when it revved up suddenly. The complaint states it happened so fast, and within such a short distance, the car crashed into a wall.

“I tried to back up and it revved up backward again and hit the rear of another car. I tried to move forward by stepping lightly on the gas.” But the car accelerated and again hit the wall. “My car was totaled and so was the car that was hit when it backed up.”

Another complaint describes a series of issues, including safety. It states that the car was in the shop within a month of purchase because it was consuming too much fuel. “I’ve been back to the dealer since for this matter many times.”

A major safety problem described in this same complaint is that the “lane-keeping assist” takes over and forces the car into opposite lanes of traffic.

“I have been back for the above-mentioned issues and safety concerns and the only response I have gotten so far is that the vehicle is operating as designed – and a final do not come back, you are causing unnecessary problems and issues.”

The third safety-related complaint describes how an incident almost caused a rear-end accident. The complainant was driving the car with small children as passengers. The vehicle suddenly forced its brakes, giving a forward-collision warning even though there was nothing in front of the car.

Ever since then, the driver keeps getting forward-collision warnings where there isn’t an issue.

2021 Toyota C-HR Electrical System/ECU Problems

Two complaints refer to electronic control unit (ECU) problems. One categorized as an “unknown” problem, simply states “incorrect programming – ECU.”

The other, said to be an electrical system problem, indicates that the ECU is identifying the wrong trim. “Improper programming. ECU vehicle is an LE trim but the computer states that it is an XLE Premium.”

The XLE Premium trim is, of course, a little more upscale with its steering wheel trimmed in leather. It also has seatback pockets, which the LE doesn’t have.

There is no indication in these complaints whether this issue was resolved or not.

2021 Toyota C-HR Windshield Problems

A complaint filed in the category Unknown or Other describes how the windshield “spontaneously shattered in the midday sun.” The car had not been driven for several days and was stationary in the driveway at the time. There was “no evidence of disturbance in the surrounding area.”

What to do if your 2021 Toyota C-HR is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights

If you experience safety issues or any other problems that keep recurring, you may have bought a lemon. It can be traumatic when your safety is threatened or when problems impact the use of your car.

But you don’t have to tackle unhelpful dealers or the manufacturer of the Toyota C-HR on your own. A good lemon law firm will do it for you.

We have negotiated all kinds of settlements for clients who have bought lemons. So, if you think your car is a lemon, call our Helpline and we will evaluate your case.

Remember, the law says Toyota must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases.

Complaint Data

CategoryElectrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar
DateJan 24, 2023
StateNM
Description
The contact owns a 2021 toyota c-hr. The contact stated that upon having the windshield replaced, the technician was unable to connect the lta, rta, and the pre-collision system. The contact stated that the lta, rta, and pre-collision system intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be recalibrated. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was repaired; however, after the contact retrieved the vehicle, the warning lights failed to operate as designed. The dealer was then notified, and the contact was informed that the failure could potentially be due to the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,529.
CategorySeat Belts, Unknown Or Other
DateOct 16, 2022
StateNJ
Description
Hood latch keeps coming unlocked and is only noticeableat highway speed. Drivers seat belt lockes up when tension feature is not necessary. Both problems may cause an accident wich may cause serious injuryor death apon impact.
CategoryVisibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
DateMay 04, 2022
StateCA
Description
The contact owns a 2021 toyota c-hr. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in inclement weather, the driver's and passenger's side front and rear windows became foggy. The contact activated the defroster; however, she was not able to see through the windows. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the vehicle performed as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
CategoryElectrical System
DateMar 07, 2022
StateNJ
Description
Improper programming. Ecu vehicle is an le trim but the computer states that it is an xle premium
CategoryElectrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
DateNov 20, 2021
StateNJ
Description
While driving my vehicle and with small children present on 11/18/21 the vehicle suddenly force brakes with the forward collision warning there was nothing forward of me and this incident nearly causes a rear end accident since this incident I keep getting forwarded warnings where there are none
CategoryPower Train, Unknown Or Other
DateNov 14, 2021
StateAZ
Description
Incorrect programming - ecu
CategoryElectrical System, Fuel/propulsion System, Lane Departure: Assist
DateJun 12, 2021
StateNJ
Description
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 opposite lanes of traffic and my finance manager noticed that the vehicle was mile jumping. I have been back for the above mentioned issues and safety concerns and the only response I have gotten so far is that the vehicle is operating as designed and final do not come back you are causing unnecessary problems and issues
CategoryAir Bags, Back Over Prevention: Warnings, Vehicle Speed Control
DateApr 16, 2021
StateFL
Description
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 so fast and within a short distance I crashed on the wall. I tried to back up and it revved up backward again and hit the rear of another car. I tried to move forward by stepping lightly on the gas and it accelerates so fast forward again until I hit the wall and somebody ran over and help me out of the car. Everything happen quickly that's why I was in shock. I know very well something wrong with the car, because I park the same way everytime I go to work and nothing happen. My car was totaled and so was the car that was hit when it backed up.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateMar 29, 2021
StateTX
Description
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.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

See more posts from Brian Jones
1 COMMENT
  • Brianna M

    I brought brand new off lot 2021 been having problems since I brought it, need new battery need new brake lines 2x Windshield crack, revs up, on top of this I’m leasing the this vehicle and they pay for nothing

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