2018 Toyota C-HR

The CVT transmission failed on my 2018 Toyota C-HR, which I purchased in 2022. The vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic on a day with elevated temperatures while my special needs child was a passenger, creating an immediately life-threatening situation. The car showed no signs of any issue prior to this failure. I attempted to have the vehicle inspected multiple times before the failure occurred, but this defect is not detectable without a deep diagnostic inspection and by the time that level of inspection is needed, the transmission is already in the process of failing. There are no warning lights or symptoms until complete failure occurs. When I contacted Toyota, the representative acted as though this was an isolated issue and not a known defect. This is false. This is a viral, widespread problem that the vast majority of 2018 Toyota C-HR owners are experiencing and actively reporting across forums, consumer complaint sites, and to NHTSA itself. Toyota is fully aware of this defect. Upon seeking an independent inspection, the mechanic showed me the same transmission from another vehicle of the same make and compared it to mine, explaining that the C-HR uses a larger CVT transmission, making a used replacement approximately $6,000 alone and advised that given the repair cost relative to the car’s value, purchasing a new vehicle may be the only realistic option. I am now completely without transportation due to what is clearly a premature manufacturing defect on a 7-year-old vehicle, causing severe financial hardship. Notably, Toyota Canada has already issued a recall and extended the warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles for this exact same defect on the same model. U.S. owners are being denied the same protection and quoted $10,000–$14,000 for a known manufacturing defect. I am requesting NHTSA investigate and issue a U.S. recall for all affected 2018 Toyota C-HR vehicles immediately.

The wheel bearings inside of the transmission of the 2018 CHR and newer models commonly fail and seize up causing the vehicle to lock up and create a dangerous situation while driving. In Canada the highway safety has recalled the Transmissions and had them repaired unlike in the United States. The wheel bearings in my 2018 CHR CVT transmission or seizing up and causing damage to the engine which could result in severe safety risks while driving possibly leading to accident or loss of life. Out of fear of safety after I was told by Toyota that this was the issue that was reported Nationwide and that the country of Canada recalled the transmission out of safety concerns for the public I decided to park the vehicle and not drive it anymore for fear of safety for my family.

Currently has a whine and grinding noise from transmission. Toyota dealers would not replace transmission and Toyota USA was contatacted. Transmission, but not the torque converter was replaced at ~53,000 miles. Noises returned ~10,000 miles after replacment and was advised sound is normal. Noises got increasingly worse over time, despite regular service. Vehicle is drivable, but is no longer driven to prevent total failure. Current mileage is ~123,000 miles. Transmission fluid changed every ~25,000 miles using Toyota genuine fluid. Vehicle was used for commuting, mostly highway, with no towing (no tow hitch installed).

On February 6, 2026 the transmission in my 2018 Toyota CHR began to malfunction while on interstate 90. IF the transmission had completely failed on a major highway it could have impacted my safety as well as anyone travelling in proximity to me. When I was able to get off the thru-way there was considerable screaming and clunking from the front end. Two auto repair businesses confirmed that it was the tranmission. The vehicle is available for inspection. No indication prior to the event. I had taken the vehicle to a local dealer in December to have the transmission serviced and was told by their service department that it was not necessary unless there were warning lights on or if the car was not operating in a normal manner.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota C-HR. While at a stop, the vehicle vibrated abnormally without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but no cause for the issue was found. While operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, with the message "Service Engine Soon" displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a diagnostic test revealed a failure with the ball bearings inside the CVT. The contact was informed that the transmission and the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to cover half of the cost of the repair. The transmission and torque converter were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact was provided with a case number from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.