Used Toyota C-HR 2016-2023 reliability
Category: Family SUV
The C-HR is boldly styled, handsomely equipped and very well made. It's good value used, too.
What should I look for in a used Toyota C-HR hatchback?
The C-HR's rather small rear window, thick roof pillars and high rear windowline are enough to hide a bus in your over-the-shoulder view. It makes the standard fit parking sensors and reversing camera necessary. Even so, check for parking damage to the car's bumpers.
There aren’t any crazy oversized alloy wheel options on the C-HR, so this will help prevent kerb damage, but make sure there aren’t any blemishes to the wheels on Dynamic cars, whose wheels have a machine-polished finish. If this lacquer has been marred and the metal is exposed to road salt, corrosion can set in.
Good quality materials are used on the majority of surfaces you touch. On top-spec C-HRs, the centre console has a lot of piano black plastic (with metallic flecks in it which catch the interior lights at night) but this can be scratched if you like to store your keys near the gearlever.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota C-HR hatchback?
Windscreen
Some owners have complained of cracked windscreens. The crack usually forms from the top of the windscreen and then spreads downwards. If you come across this, you will need to get the screen replaced. This will require a trip to a Toyota dealer because the camera and laser used by the C-HR's safety systems are mounted to the inside of the screen and will require reprogramming in order to work correctly.
Although generally a reliable car, the C-HR has been subject to several recalls, listed below. Make sure all remedial work has been carried out with your local dealer.
Affected vehicles are fitted with a high-pressure fuel pump which over time could develop a crack which could lead to a fuel leak and a risk of a vehicle fire.?
A possibility that a bolt of the brake pedal bracket may not have been torqued correctly.
The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly.
On affected vehicles, there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable. As a result, the vehicles do not comply with relevant regulations.
Is a used Toyota C-HR hatchback reliable?
In our most recent 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Toyota C-HR ranked eighth out of 34 cars in the family SUV class with an overall score of 97.4%. An excellent result. Check out the full list of family SUVs here.
Reliability rating 97.4%
What went wrong? Battery 7%, non-engine electrics 4%, bodywork 2%, brakes 2%
The 2016-2023 Toyota C-HR may not be the most exciting family SUV to drive, but it is one of the most dependable. Issues with the 12-volt battery were the most common complaint of the 15% of owners who said their car had gone wrong. Four out of five cars remained driveable, and were fixed in less than a week. Toyota covered the cost of 90% of repairs, leaving 10% of owners with bills of less than £100 per fault.
Toyota as a brand came second out of 32 manufacturers with an excellent overall score of 97.4%. The only brand that finished higher was its upmarket sister brand, Lexus. Check out the full list here.
Used Toyota C-HR reliability: the owners' view
As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers have reported mixed experiences regarding the reliability of the Toyota C-HR, specifically the petrol models from 2017-2023. Several owners appreciate the C-HR's general dependability, with few reports of severe mechanical failures. However, there are notable grievances concerning minor electrical issues, such as faulty warning lights and sensor malfunctions, which seem to be a recurring theme.
Feedback on dealer service is varied. Positive reviews highlight efficient and helpful interactions at some dealerships, with quick resolutions to issues. Conversely, a segment of respondents expressed frustration over delays in repair services and a perceived lack of transparency in dealing with faults. Some readers also mentioned that repairs, particularly those not covered by warranty, could be costly.
Overall, while the Toyota C-HR maintains a reasonable reliability record, the quality of dealer service appears to significantly impact owner satisfaction.
To see the full reliability list for family SUVs, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
