YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota C-HR Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Toyota C-HR has a complaint index of 50, ranking 3rd worst out of 5 model years, with a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues dominate, making up 76% of its 62 complaints, alongside one seat belt recall.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#3 of 5 C-HR years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
62
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2021
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
27 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2020 Toyota C-HR problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain47 (76%)
  2. Engine7 (11%)
  3. Electrical System5 (8%)
  4. Other5 (8%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (8%)
  6. Steering3 (5%)
  7. Brakes2 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts2 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Fuel System1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • CVT transmission develops a grinding or whining noise that intensifies with speed and can lead to loss of power or complete failure.
  • Some owners report the transmission failing outright, requiring full replacement, in vehicles only a few years old.
  • Front and rear tires experience blowouts, sidewall slits, or uneven tread wear, sometimes recurring after replacement.
  • Rear seat belts intermittently fail to fasten properly, sometimes paired with a flickering warning light.
  • Liquid spilled into the console cup holder has shorted out the vehicle's communication computer, preventing it from starting.
2020 Toyota C-HR complaints: complaints filed per month9Nov 2020Jan 2022Apr 2025Aug 2025Dec 2025Apr 2026Aug 2026
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2026 (9).

2020 Toyota C-HR recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V877000Dec 11, 2019Seat Belts9,468 vehicles

    Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 C-HR and 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.

    Risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 19TB22 and 19TA22.

2020 Toyota C-HR fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other C-HR years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020182019202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid100320129
2019Avoid75110329
2020Caution5062129
2021Good2534129
2022No verdict03029

All Toyota C-HR years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota C-HR reliable?
It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, with a complaint index of 50 that ranks 3rd worst among the 5 model years with data.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Toyota C-HR?
Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 76% of the 62 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 80,000 miles for that category.
Does the 2020 Toyota C-HR have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (19V877000) covering rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism that Toyota will inspect and replace as needed.
How does the 2020 C-HR compare to other model years?
The 2020 model's complaint index of 50 is better than 2018 (100, Avoid) and 2019 (75, Avoid) but worse than 2021 (25, Good).
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota C-HR?
EPA rates it at 29 mpg combined (27 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.