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2021 Toyota C-hr
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
32 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 15, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Transmission & drivetrain problems dominate (44% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
Varies 4–5 stars by trim; shown conservatively.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2021 Toyota C-HR 5 HB FWD Later Release
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 14%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Toyota C-hr, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (14) · Electrical system (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Transmission & drivetrain
44%14 complaints · 13 in the last 2 years
“It will not drive forward and only in reverse. There is a known bearing issue but unfortunately this is past the 60k and no recall.”
Electrical system
16%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Improper programming. ECU vehicle is an LE trim but the computer states that it is an XLE Premium”
Driver assistance
13%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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-collis…”
Seat belts
9%3 complaints
“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 …”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Forward Collision Avoidance · 22V107000
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.
Fix: 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.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Toyota C-HR beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every C-hr model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Toyota C-hr against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.