Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 9 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

9 total · 9 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V257000 · Apr 2021

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.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver-side front door wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB01/21TA01.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V396000 · Jun 2016

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V743000 · Nov 2014

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.

Remedy
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V123000 · Apr 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.

Remedy
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V014000 · Jan 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.

Remedy
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 12V091000 · Mar 2012

INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V036000 · Feb 2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V035000 · Feb 2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V023000 · Jan 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.

Remedy
TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

79 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
23

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 9fluid leaks 3software faults 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. An…
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The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, an independent mechanic arrived at the residence to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved a fault code related to the ECM. The mechanic also informed the contact to call a locksmith regarding the key fob. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The engine control module and the purge valve were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11692554 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
11

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 5software faults 2
A recent report: I AM HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND SO ARE MY NEIGHBORS AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING FOR MY CO-WORKERS AND THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IN OUR PARKING GARAGE OF 1000 PLUS CARS, TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY TOYOTA…
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I AM HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND SO ARE MY NEIGHBORS AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING FOR MY CO-WORKERS AND THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IN OUR PARKING GARAGE OF 1000 PLUS CARS, TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY TOYOTA VENZA 2010'S ALARM SYSTEM TO KEEP GOING OFF EVEN WHEN NO ONE HAS TOUCHED THE PANIC BUTTON OR ALARM. THERE IS NO BREEZE, MOVEMENT NOR ANIMALS AROUND MY CAR AND IT GOES OFF DAY AND NIGHT. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WAKE UP AND PRESS MY ALARM OFF TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I AM NOT SURE HOW I COULD KEEP PAYING A CAR NOTE ON A CAR THAT DOES THIS AND HOW THIS IS MY FAULT OR THAT OF ANY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. IT IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BECOME A RECALLED ITEM THAT IS FIXED BY TOYOTA. YOU FOLKS NEED TO GET THIS RECALLED. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS MAJOR INCONVENIENCE, I HAVE SEEN 1000S OF COMPLAINTS ON IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. THEY SAY ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11256886 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

loss of braking 7unintended acceleration 2software faults 2
A recent report: Since I bought the Venza, the brake has not been working well, so I am trembling with fear and the risk of an accident countless times. I didn't know how to claim this, so I endured it and drove this…
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Since I bought the Venza, the brake has not been working well, so I am trembling with fear and the risk of an accident countless times. I didn't know how to claim this, so I endured it and drove this car until now. Today, after reading an article about Fisker's break issue investigation. I decided to report it to NHTSA. Please investigate this and resolve this issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11566021 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: THERE IS A RATTLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING IT ON UNEVEN ROADS. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SEAT SMELLS LIKE IT'S BURNING WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS ON.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11307539 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the horn failed to…
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The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the horn failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failures were related. However, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11684426 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
16

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2
A recent report: while driving, the sunroof made a loud explosion and shattered everywhere.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731288 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
9

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

electrical shorts 5unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: On or around March 10, 2023, as my wife and daughter were driving the driver's side heated seat started burning/smoking. Immediately, my wife turned off the seat and returned home. I found there was…
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On or around March 10, 2023, as my wife and daughter were driving the driver's side heated seat started burning/smoking. Immediately, my wife turned off the seat and returned home. I found there was an existing recall for this issue but only for the Southeast Toyota Distributors, I purchased my car in Missouri. I took the vehicle to the local dealership in Clarksville, Tennessee. Not only would they not honor the recall, but charged me $115.88 to confirm the burning of the seat. I contacted Toyota 7 times thus far and they are refusing to help because the recall only affected the Southeast Distributor group. I find this ludicrous as all the vehicles were made at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant. I simply want the remedy that Southeast Toyota Distributors gave their customers: Removal of bad heating unit, return of $115.88 charge of confirmation, and a return of the accessory charge I paid in December 2009. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11514537 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 79 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 5 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 79 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (59). That is the most of the 6 model years of the Toyota Venza we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.