Toyota Venza years to avoid (and the best years)
280 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 6 model years, 2010 to 2015. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 280complaints
- 11recalls
- 48reported crashes
- 6reported fires
- 40reported injuries
Which Toyota Venza years should you avoid?
No Toyota Venza model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Toyota Venza year has 45 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2010 (79).
What are the best Toyota Venza years?
The Toyota Venza years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2012 (25), 2015 (27) and 2014 (31). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 27 | 0.6× | 1 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2014 | 31 | 0.7× | 1 | 6 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 59 | 1.3× | 4 | 13 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2012 | 25 | 0.6× | 4 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 59 | 1.3× | 6 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2010 | 79 | 1.8× | 9 | 10 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 138 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain31 (22%)
- Electrical & infotainment26 (19%)
- Structure & body25 (18%)
- Brakes19 (14%)
- Other systems16 (12%)
Recalls (11)
Airbags · 21V257000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Damaged wires may cause the air bag sensor to become inoperable, preventing the deployment of the side and curtain air bags on the driver side and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2010
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Electrical system · 13V442000 · Oct 2013 · model years 2012, 2013
A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Exterior lighting · 12V091000 · Mar 2012 · model years 2010, 2011
INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Transmission · 11V306000 · Jun 2011 · model year 2011
SHOULD THE DRIVE SHAFT BREAK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V023000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.