My vehicle began making a grinding noise. I immediately called the issue in to Toyota of Dallas. I scheduled to have all my tires replaced and to inspect the noise. I was informed that my CVT needed to be replaced. The dealership is unwilling to replace the CVT despite prior recalls on CVTs in 2018 and 2019 for Toyota CHR. My 2021 vehicle is paid off, has little to no wear and tear (I only drive locally), and has been taken to the dealership consistently when service is needed. I should not have a bad transmission. This vehicle is not safe for the road and I don't feel safe with myself nor my family to travel in this vehicle. I have to drive at very low speed to get to work, get the kids to school, etc and this is the only vehicle I possess. I cannot think of any reason of what would cause the CVT to go bad other than the dealership not properly maintaining the transmission OR simply a faulty transmission.
Toyota C-HR grinding brakes problems
38 of the 559 owner complaints about the Toyota C-HR describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 38
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $12,000
- typical mileage
- 76,000
By model year
Often reported together
CVT failure 16Transmission failure 12Whining noise 10Loss of power 4Hesitation 4Stalling 3Slipping 2Jerking 2
What owners say
Car began making a grinding sound while driving on an expressway. From that point on, could no longer reach a speed above 30 MPH. Independent Mechanic diagnosed an issue with CVT. Car was inoperable and sat in my driveway for 8+ months as we tried getting Toyota to respond to calls and email. Received a CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 26TE06 letter from Toyota on 12Sep2026 explaining that they would provide coverage for the repair. Had the car towed to O'Brien Toyota in Indianapolis. Dealer said that the car would not be covered because they had received a REVISED letter from Toyota that only covered a specific range of CVT serial numbers and while the CVT malfunction, model and year of my car qualified.....my car did not have a CVT serial number in that range and NO REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE! Called the Toyota Brand engagement number and they confirmed that Toyota would not cover the CVT in that range and provided me with a case#: 260922002588.
Driving home from work on the freeway, the loud droning and whining sound was already present. Same issue that I thought had been previously resolved by replacing the transmission from the dealership it was purchased from. Though this time it was accompanied by a horrible grinding sound coming from the bearings in the transmission. After much research into this issue, iI found that it is a very common issue wtih this particular vehicle. Specifically the K1114 transmissions used in them. Toyota has since used different transmissions in newer models, but has not issued a recall for the ones that are so commonly breaking and keep replacing but not fixing the issue.
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)
CVT bearing disintegrating. Expected repair cost is $10k-$12k. Purchased about a year ago and still owe almost 20k on the loan. This is the car that was intended to be used by my daughter but cannot trust this to make the drive. There have been no warning lamps or system messages just a metal on metal grinding sound. This is a known issue with this model of vehicle and there is already a warranty enhancement for this issue on 2018 and 2019 models. Mine is a 2020 so they clearly did not fix this known issue. This started about a month ago as a slight high pitched whine and has quickly progressed to the point that we cannot use the vehicle.
While driving, my 2020 Toyota C-HR suddenly lost acceleration in the middle of the road, with the vehicle failing to respond to throttle input. This has now happened twice. There was no warning noise (no whining or grinding) beforehand, and the loss of power occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion, creating a dangerous driving condition due to inability to maintain speed or safely merge/clear traffic.
CVT transmission total failure. Clunking and grinding.
The transmissions on these vehicles have well issues. The only reason I bought the one I did was because the Carfax report falsely started that the transmission had been replaced. Toyota knows it's a safety hazard and can fail at highway speed but will not take responsibility. I bought the car and within 5 days it is making a grinding noise. The Toyota dealership states the car needs an entire transmission replacement for $12,000.
Recently my car started making a grinding metallic noise while trying to accelerate from a stop this was the first real indicator to start doing research. I found that Toyota CH-R 2018 has known issues with premature CVT transmission bearing failure, with recalls in Canada but not in the US even though they are exactly the same. I also discovered the class action lawsuit due to Toyotas blind eye and several complaints. Before this metallic grinding and slippage I had noticed gear noises but at the time thought it was just the gears shifting. As of now, my dash lights are on. I am a mother of a [XXX] with multiple Dr and pediatrician appts and I'm terrified to drive with my baby. I'll also add that I've recently paid my car off, replaced tires, rotors and brakes as a safety measure but due to Toyota's lack of issuing a recall on a known default I may not only be subjected to a safety hazard but also a complete loss financially after over 45k in finance fees and repairs that should've ensured peace of mind. I bought a Toyota because they are supposed to be safe, reliable and back their product. I'm finding out now that US Toyota is not to be trusted due to their complete lack of responsibility with this known issue. In addition, I purchased the platinum warranty and am just 10,000 over which would covered the 10,000 - 15,000 repair to the CVT but now, due to no recall on a known faulty part I have to submit a good will claim and pray they make it right. I'm absolutely devastated! This is a massive safety issue with a brand that considers themselves as the most safety oriented and reliable car company out there. PLEASE ISSUE THE RECALL and hold Toyota accountable INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have a K114 CVT internal bearing defect. It is available for inspection upon request. Transmission issues are unsafe because it can cause sudden loss of acceleration, unexpected vehicle stalling in traffic, and delayed shifting or gear slippage. These sudden changes make my car behave unpredictably; risking rear-end collisions or loss of control. This puts myself, my passengers, and others at risk. I am unsure if the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle and/or component have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. However, the vehicle received Service in December 2025 for a transmission fluid replacement for maintenance and no issues were reported at the time. There were not any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The issues first appeared in mid-June, around June 15, 2026, where I could hear a grinding noise when I drove. On July 1, I was driving home and experienced stalling while turning right at a stoplight. I took the car in for a diagnostic inquiry on 7/18/2026 and was notified I had a transmission issue. I took it for a second opinion, where it was confirmed it was transmission. I took it to Toyota and on 7/22/2026, they confirmed it was transmission issues requiring a full replacement with no financial assistance citing my warranty has ended and my service history is not thorough enough. Toyota has already extended the warranty for Canadian drivers due to this exact safety hazard.
Related recalls
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota CH-R vehicles. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not operate properly, possibly causing the parking brake not to disengage after it is applied or prevent it from being applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- If the EPB cannot be applied, there is an increased risk of a vehicle rollaway if the vehicle is parked on a hill without being placed into "Park."
- Remedy
- Toyota has notified owners, and dealers will update the programming of the skid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0W.
Recall number 17V717000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota C-HR grinding brakes
Which Toyota C-HR years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (20 complaints), 2019 (10 complaints) and 2020 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix grinding or squealing brakes on the Toyota C-HR?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $12,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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