2019 Toyota C-HR: complete transmission failure

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · IN

We purchased this vehicle from a local dealer brand new. It was titled in my father in-laws name but now ours (hence 2 owners on vin). at 108,XXX miles, we began to experience loud grumbling. We took it to a Toyota Dealer and it was diagnosed as "catastrophic transmission failure". They wanted $11k for a transmission replaced for a car worth maybe $14k. We did not perform the repair. After a few weeks, the noise got better. People online were having the same issue. At 129,XXX miles, we got a notice in the mail from Toyota Corporate with our name and VIN number on it. It stated extended warranty service coverage for up to September 2027 with no miles limitation. I took the car in to the dealer we purchased the vehicle from and they could not get the symptoms to replicate. After 1 week without the vehicle, we picked it up and went home. The symptoms have came and went, but at the end of October 2026, they were very bad. I dropped off the vehicle on 11/2/2026 and it was diagnosed again with a transmission replacement needed. After informing me and getting my hopes up again, they left me with a lemon that is unsafe to drive and worth $0 resale. The dealership followed the steps for Toyota's extended service, but the serial number on the transmission did not match the programs' needs. Neither Toyota or the local dealer will do anything for me even though the symptoms, model, make, year, and VIN all are recorded to have these same symptoms and issues. Toyota is aware of these issues but not willing to acknowledge certain serial numbers at this time..... Needs investigation.

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The CVT had castrophic failure on the highway. Yes you may inspect it. Thankfully myself and my daughter were not injured, but it stalled out going 70 mph on the freeway and cars were speeding around us to avoid impaling us from behind. I was able to get it off the road and tow it home. There were no warning lights or indications that the transmission was failing it simply made a low whining noise that grew louder over time and then quiter at higher speeds. On the freeway it was imperceptable. It began making the noise in July and the CVT failed in August. I took it to a transmission shop as the dealership is outrageously over priced and I couldn't get it all the way to the dealership anyway. The transmission shop sent me photos of the pan dropped with huge pieces of metal debris inside it along with small glitter sized pieces filling the entire pan. Toyota issued customer support program 26TE06 in July 2026 but they capped the VINs included in September 2019 my CHR was made in the 3 months after September 2019 so it is not included in their program which replaces the CVT awknowledging the internal bearing failure leading to premature transmission failure and exhibiting the exact symptoms my car gave as it is the exact model of CVT (K114) that is in my CHR. Nothing else would have caused total breakdown of the internal bearings and belt as the car has never even been in a small accident and I have had it for over 5 years. Toyota still refuses to take responsibility however they put my life and my daughters at risk putting us on the road in a brand new car that had a faulty transmission when we purchased it, we could have been hit by another car on the highway and died. I bought a brand new toyota expecting to drive safely in a good car and that the car would last for at least 300,000 miles.

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Failure transmission verify by Toyota, and Toyota has a program for this issues with this certain cars and it's called Toyota Customer Support Program (20T006) but they said that my car isn't not covered under this program not giving any reason why. Transmission failure puts your safety and the safety of others at risk primarily by causing a sudden loss of vehicle control or propulsion in traffic etc etc Yes, and i will be adding the diagnosis (invoice) from Toyota dealership stating my car's problem. Its been only inspected by the manufacturer. My car has never showed up any warning lights or messages etc etc.

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Subject: Formal Vehicle Safety Complaint — Premature CVT Transmission Failure in 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Vehicle: 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited Component: Power Train — Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Mileage at Diagnosis: Approximately 105,000 miles Diagnosing Dealership: Lodi Toyota, California Reported Symptom: Abnormal whining noise from the transmission I am submitting this formal vehicle safety complaint to the federal safety agency concerning a suspected premature failure of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) installed in my 2019 Toyota C-HR Limited. At approximately 105,000 miles, my vehicle was experiencing an abnormal whining noise originating from the transmission. I took the vehicle to Lodi Toyota in California for a professional diagnosis. The dealership confirmed a transmission-related problem and determined that the transmission assembly required replacement. This diagnosis raises serious concerns regarding the durability and potential safety implications of the CVT transmission installed in certain 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. After receiving the dealership's diagnosis, I became aware of Toyota Customer Support Program 26TE06, which addresses certain abnormal CVT whining-noise conditions in eligible Toyota C-HR vehicles. Despite my vehicle exhibiting a similar symptom, Toyota informed me that my vehicle identification number (VIN) was excluded from the program. I contacted Toyota Corporate repeatedly to request an explanation and reconsideration of its decision. Toyota declined to provide assistance and ultimately informed me that my case had been reviewed, its position would remain unchanged, and no additional department was available for further escalation. My concern extends beyond Toyota's refusal to provide financial assistance. I believe the premature transmission failure diagnosed in my vehicle warrants examination alongside similar complaints involving Toyota C-HR CVT transmissions.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Transmission failure that toyota has already recognized in some vehicles. They have not covered all vehicles that are showing the same issues as the ones covered in the service program.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving my 2019 Toyota C-HR normally on [XXX] in [XXX] at approximately 8:00 PM, traffic began slowing due to congestion. When traffic began moving again, the vehicle accelerated very slowly and did not respond normally to the accelerator. Shortly afterward, the dashboard displayed a “Pull Over Safely” warning. The vehicle then completely lost its ability to move under its own power. It would not move normally in either Drive or Reverse and had to be towed off the freeway. Condition of the car when we check it ourselves: Vehicle goes into Drive/Reverse Engine revs Vehicle doesn't move Vehicle rolls in Neutral Vehicle stops in Park EPB-related warnings occurred The vehicle was subsequently taken to a mechanic and then to Toyota of [XXX] for diagnosis. Toyota has issued Customer Support Program 26TE06 and T-SB-0048-26 concerning premature CVT wear and abnormal whining/grinding conditions on certain 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. I subsequently learned that Toyota corporate denied the dealer's request for assistance with my vehicle because the vehicle is no longer operable and the dealership cannot perform the road test/video required to reproduce the whining noise described in the TSB. The vehicle's inability to produce the specified whining noise during a road test is because the CVT has progressed to a complete loss of propulsion. The vehicle currently remains at Toyota of [XXX]. I am reporting this because the vehicle experienced a complete loss of propulsion while being driven on a major freeway, creating a potentially serious safety situation. I was fortunate that the vehicle could be safely moved off the freeway and that no collision or injury occurred. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and review this incident as a potential safety-related CVT/transmission failure and consider whether similar failures are occurring in 2018–2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Transmission · VA

While driving my vehicle, it is a consistent clicking loud noise. I had the vehicle checked out twice and both places said the same thing as it is explained down below: Transmission Replacement (Automatic): SEVERE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION NOISE- NOISE LOUDER W/ SPEED. NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY- DO NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING VEHICLE MAY BE CATASTROPHIC AND COME APART This statement is from the Toyota dealership.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Noise from front left axel began on XXX. Taken to local garage for diagnostic on XXX at approximately 149,000 miles. Was informed that it likely was the transmission. This was confirmed when taken to Toyota dealership on XXX. National recall was issued in [XXX] by Toyota for the known transmission failure that occurs in the CH-r CVT transmission. No other issues or alerts had occurred prior to the transmission failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Transmission · MA

2019 C-HR is experiencing transmission failure due to a faulty joint. Metal shavings flow into the fluid. Am being told I will need to replace the entire transmission. Toyota is fully aware of the issue with the failures occurring between 75,000 & 120,000 miles. My vehicle is at 107,000. Perfect maintenance record, never missed a service & all work done at the dealership where it was purchased. Research shows Toyota Canada acknowledged the issue & extended the warranty to cover it's customers. Toyota USA refuses to do the same. Estimate out of pocket for this known defect is $9900.00

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

The CVT transmission failed at approximately 60,000 miles. The vehicle was fully maintained by Toyota dealerships. The failure of the transmission bearing will cause the car to lose power and could fail while driving, creating a risk of being stranded in traffic or being unable to accelerate to avoid a collision. Toyota Canada has extended the warranty for this same transmission issue up to 119,924 Miles (193,000 KM) and 10 years on comparable Toyota C-HR vehicles, but Toyota USA has refused to provide the same coverage.” See comments at Toyota Forum [XXX] Please see below Toyota Canada announcement: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic internal failure of its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) at 139,000 miles. While driving, a heavy grinding noise began coming from the vehicle during acceleration. A certified technician at a Toyota dealership inspected the vehicle and officially diagnosed it with an internal center differential grind and noted that the transmission fluid was burnt and filled with metal flakes. The dealership stated the entire transmission must be replaced at a cost of over $10,000. Toyota explicitly markets and describes this CVT transmission fluid as 'lifetime' fluid with no standard required maintenance, leading consumers to believe the unit is sealed and durable. However, this internal bearing/differential disintegration is a known material manufacturing defect affecting 2018-2022 Toyota C-HR models. This is a severe safety hazard as a sudden internal transmission failure can cause an immediate loss of vehicle propulsion while driving at high speeds in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash. This should not be happening at all at this mileage

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The vehicle's CVT transmission has failed, confirmed by Dublin Toyota (Dublin, CA) on June 9, 2026. The dealership has quoted $12,477 to replace the transmission, bringing the total repair estimate to over $15,000 — exceeding the vehicle's current market value. The dealership documented the following diagnostic trouble codes: P075B, P0741, and P2757. These codes are listed together in Toyota's own C-HR service manual as indicators of Torque Converter Clutch Circuit failure within the CVT system, confirming internal mechanical failure of the transmission. These are not minor or maintenance-related codes — they indicate a fundamental failure of the CVT's internal components. This is a known, widespread defect affecting 2018–2020 Toyota C-HR vehicles. Hundreds of owners have reported identical CVT bearing failures, often with no warning lights or prior symptoms, at mileages ranging from 38,000 to 140,000 miles. Toyota has acknowledged CVT issues on this model previously — issuing a software service campaign (Special Service Campaign J0D) for CVT programming defects — yet has refused to issue a recall or extended warranty for the underlying mechanical bearing failures now presenting across the fleet. Notably, Toyota Canada has extended warranty coverage for identical CVT failures on the same model years, while Toyota USA has declined to offer comparable relief to American owners facing the same defect. This defect represents a significant safety hazard, as CVT failure can result in sudden loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds. Requested Action: Formal the federal safety agency investigation into CVT transmission bearing failures in 2018–2020 Toyota C-HR vehicles, and consideration of a recall or extended warranty campaign consistent with what Toyota Canada has already provided.