YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota C-HR Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#4 most-complained of 5 C-HR years

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

The 2021 Toyota C-HR ranks 4th of 5 model years with a complaint index of 25 and a "Good" verdict, well below the 2018 (100) and 2019 (75) model years. NHTSA lists 34 complaints, 1 recall, and 3 crashes with no fires or deaths for this year.

Complaints
34
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
27 city / 31 hwy

Top 2021 Toyota C-HR problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain16 (47%)
  2. Other6 (18%)
  3. Electrical System5 (15%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (15%)
  5. Engine3 (9%)
  6. Seat Belts3 (9%)
  7. Airbags2 (6%)
  8. Brakes2 (6%)
  9. Fuel System2 (6%)
  10. Lane Departure2 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe the pre-collision system failing to detect obstacles, including one case where the car did not brake before hitting a deer.
  • Some report the forward collision warning triggering false alerts and sudden automatic braking with no obstacle present.
  • Several owners say the brake pedal did not stop the vehicle in time during low-speed driving, leading to a collision.
  • After windshield replacement, some owners found the LTA, RTA, and pre-collision systems failed to recalibrate and stayed illuminated.
  • A few owners report unexpected acceleration while parking at low speeds.
  • Owners mention excessive fuel consumption and unexplained warning lights, including a "Service Vehicle Now" message that a mechanic could not diagnose.
2021 Toyota C-HR complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2021Nov 2021Oct 2022Jun 2023Jan 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026May 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Sep 2026; peak May 2026 (6).

2021 Toyota C-HR recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V107000Feb 24, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras36,558 vehicles

    Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 C-HR vehicles. The radar sensor may not have been activated during production, making the pre-collision system (PCS) inoperative.

    Risk: An inoperative PCS that does not provide a malfunction indicator to the driver, or braking assist as expected, can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and activate the radar sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA02.

2021 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.

2021 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
2019Avoid75110329
2020Caution5062129
2021Good2534129
2022No verdict03029

All Toyota C-HR years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota C-HR reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 C-HR has a complaint index of 25, ranking 4th out of 5 model years, and carries a "Good" verdict relative to other C-HR years.
What problems does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have?
NHTSA complaints center on transmission and powertrain issues (47% of complaints), followed by electrical system problems (15%) and collision avoidance/camera faults (15%), including pre-collision system failures.
Does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V107000) covers a radar sensor that was not activated during production, making the pre-collision system inoperative. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 C-HR compare to other years?
The 2021 model year has a much lower complaint index (25) than the 2018 (100) and 2019 (75) years, which are rated "Avoid," and is close in ranking to the 2020 model (50, "Caution").
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 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.