2018 Toyota C-HR: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Transmission · CA

am filing this complaint regarding a transmission failure in my 2018 Toyota C-HR that left me stranded on the freeway and created a serious safety hazard. The vehicle experienced a transmission-related failure that caused it to lose its ability to operate properly while I was driving. As a result, I was left stranded on the freeway, exposed to passing traffic and at risk of being involved in a collision. A vehicle losing its ability to maintain normal operation on a busy freeway can create a dangerous situation for both the driver and other motorists. I am concerned that this transmission failure may represent a safety-related defect that could affect other owners of 2018 Toyota C-HR vehicles. A transmission should not fail in a manner that leaves a driver unexpectedly stranded in an active traffic environment. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT) defects in the 2018 Toyota C-HR could cause sudden loss of power, loss of drive, or other dangerous failures while the vehicle is being operated. I believe this incident deserves attention because of the potential for serious injury or a collision. I am submitting this complaint so the incident can be documented and considered as part of any investigation into similar complaints involving this vehicle. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this incident and determine whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted. Thank you for your attention to this vehicle safety concern.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Transmission · OR

My 2018 Toyota CH-R started with a whining noise that sounded like a cat. I didn't get any lights on my dash that could pin point the problem. I took it to the dealership to get it diagnosed and they couldn't tell which part was making the noise. I asked the if they could do a transmission fluid change, and they told me that that type of transmission did not require service. Overtime the noise got worse and louder and a few times while driving in the freeway the car jerked and the RPM gauge drastically moved up and down. I took it to the dealership again and they quoted me $8,000 for a new transmission. At this point I am nervous I will lose power in the middle of the freeway during my daily commute which could cause an accident.

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Transmission · IL

The transmission (CVT) in my 2018 Toyota C-HR failed at 101,740 miles, approximately 5,000 miles and 2 months after I purchased the vehicle used. The vehicle began making a whining/rotary noise while driving. I took it to Toyota of Downtown Chicago (RO [XXX], 7/28/2026), where the technician test-drove the vehicle, confirmed the noise originates from the transmission, and recommended full CVT replacement. The quoted repair cost is $14,271.52. The vehicle is currently not being driven and is available for inspection upon request. Safety concern: a CVT that is failing internally can produce unpredictable loss of power, hesitation, or sudden changes in acceleration while driving, which creates a risk of being unable to safely merge, accelerate away from a hazard, or maintain consistent speed in traffic. I have stopped driving the vehicle to avoid this risk. The problem has been confirmed by a Toyota dealership (Toyota of Downtown Chicago), not by an independent shop. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer's field engineering, police, or insurance representatives. Prior symptoms: the whining/rotary noise was the only symptom I noticed, and it appeared shortly before I brought the vehicle in for inspection. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared at any point. I do not know how long the underlying defect was present before I purchased the vehicle, though vehicle history records show the previous owner's independent shop performed a CVT transmission fluid service approximately six weeks before the vehicle was sold at auction. I am aware that Toyota Canada has issued a Warranty Enhancement Program (10 years / 193,000 km) for 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles covering CVT failures caused by a known defective internal bearing. No equivalent program currently exists in the United States. I am filing this complaint because I believe this same defect affects U.S.-market vehicles and should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Transmission · GA

There was a loss of power while driving. As I pressed on the gas, the engine would rev, but the vehicle would not accelerate. This is a major safety risk.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I am experiencing a severe and hazardous failure of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) bearing. While driving, the vehicle produces a loud, persistent humming noise that increases in volume with higher RPMs. A failure of this nature leads to a complete loss of propulsion while in motion, creating a critical safety hazard and a high risk of high-speed rear-end collisions. The vehicle has been officially inspected twice confirming the CVT bearing failure. It’s being recall in Canada but not the USA Toyota has refused the usa market for any help. American drivers are left operating vehicles with a known, unaddressed safety defect that can cause sudden power loss at highway speeds.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Transmission · NC

I experienced a sudden transmission failure on roadway. This is a severe safety hazard. I lost all powertrain to my car while in motion. I had to coast the car onto side road at 4am on 6-15-26. Upon further investigation this car year 2018, make toyota and model ch-r, has premature K114 CVT transmission.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · FL

Vehicle: 2018 Toyota C-HR (Base Model) Issue: CVT Transmission Failure I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious defect in the CVT transmission of my 2018 Toyota C-HR. After owning it less than 2 years, the vehicle developed transmission problems that rendered it unsafe and ultimately undrivable. Multiple mechanics, including a dealership and a transmission specialist, confirmed the issue originates where the transmission meets the axle on the driver’s side. The recommended solution was a full transmission replacement, with repair costs quoted as high as $11,000, nearly equal to the car’s entire market value. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. There were no warning messages or lamps to indicate an issue prior to the incident that occurred. This situation raises serious safety concerns: The transmission failure occurred suddenly, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. I was on the way home during rush hour traffic. I approached a redlight and came to a stop. Once the light turned green, my car wouldn't accelerate and began rolling backwards any time I attempted to accelerate. A transmission defect can cause unexpected loss of power or drivability, putting myself, drivers nearby and passengers at risk on the road. The fact that this issue is widely reported among Toyota owners suggests a systemic defect that compromises public safety. Customers are forced to choose between paying exorbitant repair costs or continuing to make loan payments on a car they cannot drive. Toyota has long been viewed as a trusted brand known for reliability, yet this defect undermines that reputation and leaves loyal customers feeling misled. I respectfully urge the federal safety agency to investigate this issue and Toyota to issue a recall or extended warranty coverage for affected CVT transmissions. Customers should not be left with unsafe, undrivable vehicles and repair costs that exceed the cars value. This is not only a matter of fairness but of public safety.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Engine · GA

The night of the incident November 16th, 2025, the transmission in my daughter's 2018 Toyota C-HR failed suddenly while the vehicle was in motion. The car lost the ability to accelerate and then became completely immobile. The failure occurred without warning and with no prior symptoms. She could not shift into drive or reverse. My daughter, a [XXX] college student was driving at the time, and the breakdown left her stranded in the dark on a roadway with limited visibility and no safe shoulder. She was in a semi-safe neighborhood. I called AAA as I am a premier member and it took 4 hours to get her car towed. This created a significant safety risk—both the danger of being struck by approaching vehicles and personal safety concerns associated with being stranded alone at night until almost midnight. I am several hours away (Canton, GA) and could not get to her safely. We specifically picked a reliable Toyota model to take to college so that this would not happen. The transmission and related components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request at my home. The car is not drivable and we are stuck with a costly repair. This appears to be a very common problem with this specific Toyota model even with low milage but no recall has been issues. After the vehicle was towed to Group 1 Toyota in Columbus, GA an inspection by the dealership was performed at a $200 cost to diagnose a transmission failure. A faulty CVT transmission that is not covered under any warranty and is $11,000 to repair. Attached is a report showing excellent condition of other car components. There were no warning lamps, messages, noises, or other symptoms leading up to the failure. The transmission malfunction occurred suddenly, with the first and only indication being the loss of power and inability to move the vehicle. Toyota addressed the issue by no longer using this type of transmission and discontinuing this model but will NOT offer a solution. Please help!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Transmission · KY

Transmission internally failed. This has been confirmed through multiple sources. Dealership, mechanic. No warning lights, grinding noise. My safety is put at risk because A failing transmission creates multiple safety hazards while driving. The vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, hesitate, or fail to accelerate when needed, especially during turns, intersections, or highway merging. It can also shift unpredictably or refuse to shift, causing sudden jerking, surging, or deceleration that increases the risk of losing control. Transmission failure can lead to total loss of propulsion in traffic, leaving the vehicle stalled in dangerous locations. Additionally, fluid leaks and overheating pose fire risks. Overall, the unpredictable operation of a failing transmission significantly increases the likelihood of collisions and unsafe driving situations.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · CA

The CVT transmission in my 2018 Toyota C-HR failed suddenly while driving. There were no warning lights, check engine indicators, or dashboard messages before the issue occurred. The only symptom was a sudden whining/whirring noise from the transmission area. The vehicle has been regularly maintained and serviced through ToyotaCare until the coverage expired in 2023. The failure happened on 11/02, and the car is currently available for inspection upon request. This failure created a potential safety risk because the car unexpectedly lost power and could not accelerate properly in traffic. The problem has been confirmed by a Toyota dealer (Toyota of Anaheim), who diagnosed it as an internal CVT transmission failure. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Toyota corporate, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps or messages before the failure , only the noise that began a month ago and it when i accelerate, I decided to take it in to the dealership to take a look at.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

My 2018 Toyota, which has around 96,000 miles, is experiencing transmission failure. I recently had it inspected by an independent repair shop, and they confirmed the issue is caused by a bad bearing inside the transmission—a problem they mentioned is common for this model. The transmission makes a loud whining noise and could fail at any time, which puts my safety and the safety of others at risk since it could cause the car to lose power or stall in the middle of the road. There were no warning lights, messages, or signs before the issue started. I contacted Toyota about the problem, but they refused to cover the repair because the vehicle is out of warranty. However, given how new the car still is and that this issue is known to occur in similar models, I believe this is a safety hazard that Toyota should take responsibility for.

Filed Oct 19, 2025 · Transmission · ME

I am reporting repeated transmission failures and unsafe driving behavior in my 2018 Toyota C-HR. The transmission was first replaced at approximately 89,000 miles under an extended warranty due to whining noises and slipping. Since then, I have returned to the dealership three separate times with the same symptoms. The dealer acknowledges the issue but has not performed any corrective repairs. The vehicle now exhibits the same failure symptoms again at 124,000 miles. These include whining noises when accelerating, hesitation to engage, and intermittent loss of power. This creates unsafe driving conditions, especially when merging or crossing intersections. Details and Pattern: Toyota Canada has publicly acknowledged a faulty bearing inside the CVT transmission for the 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR and extended the warranty to 10 years / 193,000 km. My vehicle has the same CVT transmission (K114) and was built in the same factory (Turkey). Toyota USA has not offered any comparable warranty extension or recall, despite identical vehicles experiencing the same failures. Numerous other U.S. owners have reported similar CVT failures to the federal safety agency and CarComplaints.com. This appears to be a widespread safety defect related to the transmission’s internal bearing or CVT assembly, which can cause loss of power and control while driving. Requested Action: I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 2018 Toyota C-HR CVT transmission for design or manufacturing defects, including bearing failure, and determine whether a U.S. recall or extended warranty campaign should be issued as Toyota Canada has already done.