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2012 Toyota Venza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Venza are lower than the model-year median of 59.

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 59

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
173
200979
201059
201125
201259
201331
201427
2015
Compare all Venza years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
9Unknown Or Other
6Visibility/wiper
6Structure
5Engine
1
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
1Power Train
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Steering
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

25 reports
30,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Structure

ON A BRAND NEW 2012 TOYOTA VENZA, PURCHASED NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT, IN MARCH OF 2012, THERE IS COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RUST ON TOP OF THE PAINT ON THE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING SIDE PANELS, DOORS, HATCH, AND BACK BUMPER. NOTE, THE MAJORITY OF THE RUST IS EVOLVING ON TOP OF THE PAINT, WHERE NO BARE METAL IS EXPOSED. …

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ON A BRAND NEW 2012 TOYOTA VENZA, PURCHASED NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT, IN MARCH OF 2012, THERE IS COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RUST ON TOP OF THE PAINT ON THE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, AND SURROUNDING SIDE PANELS, DOORS, HATCH, AND BACK BUMPER. NOTE, THE MAJORITY OF THE RUST IS EVOLVING ON TOP OF THE PAINT, WHERE NO BARE METAL IS EXPOSED. IT CAN BE BUFFED OFF, BUT THIS ONLY TEMPORARILY SOLVES THE PROBLEM, AS THE RUST CONTINUES TO GROW, EVEN AFTER REMOVAL. ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD, THERE ARE LARGE RUSTING SPOTS WHERE SMALL CHIPS EXPOSING METAL, LESS THAN 1CM (CONSIDERED TO BE FROM GRAVEL) EXIST. FOR VISUAL AFFECT, IT LOOKS AT THOUGH SOMEONE DIPPED A LARGE PAINT BRUSH IN ORANGE PAINT AND SPLATTERED/SPECKLED IT OVER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593641

26,000 miles · Jan 2, 2014
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

NO INCIDENT, JUST A SAFETY QUESTION. I PURCHASED THIS 2012 VENZA A FEW DAYS AGO AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER CRASH TEST WAS 2 STARS (OUT OF 5). FOR 2013 IT WAS 4 STARS FOR THE SAME TEST. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS CAR (VIN NUMBER) WAS MADE BEFORE OR AFTER TOYOTA MADE SAFETY MODIFICATIONS THA…

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NO INCIDENT, JUST A SAFETY QUESTION. I PURCHASED THIS 2012 VENZA A FEW DAYS AGO AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER CRASH TEST WAS 2 STARS (OUT OF 5). FOR 2013 IT WAS 4 STARS FOR THE SAME TEST. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS CAR (VIN NUMBER) WAS MADE BEFORE OR AFTER TOYOTA MADE SAFETY MODIFICATIONS THAT LED TO THE 4 STAR FRONTAL PASSENGER RATING. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT HELPFUL AND SUGGESTED CONTACTING NHTSA. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ME AS I CARRY MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND IF THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN IT WILL HAVE TO BE RETURNED. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. PS - I SENT THIS NOTE YESTERDAY BUT INCLUDED THE WRONG VIN. THE VIN ENTERED ABOVE IS NOW CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558158

26,000 miles · Jan 1, 2014
StructureUnknown Or Other

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT; JUST A QUESTION. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I PURCHASED THIS 2012 TOYOTA VENZA FROM A DEALER WHO CLAIMED EXCELLENT SAFETY RATINGS. BUT I SEE THAT THE 2012 VENZA PASSENGER FRONTAL CRASH RATING IS ONLY 2 STAR. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS MADE AFTER T…

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THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT; JUST A QUESTION. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I PURCHASED THIS 2012 TOYOTA VENZA FROM A DEALER WHO CLAIMED EXCELLENT SAFETY RATINGS. BUT I SEE THAT THE 2012 VENZA PASSENGER FRONTAL CRASH RATING IS ONLY 2 STAR. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS MADE AFTER THE SAFETY WAS IMPROVED (IT IS LISTED AS 4 STAR FOR THE 2013 MODEL), BUT COULD NOT SUPPORT HIS CLAIM THAT MY CAR WAS 4 STAR RATHER THAN 2 STAR. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME AS I CARRY MY GRANDCHILDREN AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT A 2 STAR RATING. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT IF THIS VIN WAS BEFORE OR AFTER THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE AND THEY COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, AND WOULD NOT REFER ME ON TO SOMEONE WHO COULD. CAN YOU DETERMINE IF THIS CAR HAS A 2 STAR OR A 4 STAR FRONTAL PASSENGER SIDE CRASH RATING (OR REFER ME TO SOMEONE WHO COULD FIND OUT)? I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS HELP - OTHERWISE I WILL BE FORCED TO SELL THIS CAR. MY THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558089

11,000 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY CAR WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, PUSHING CAR INTO CONCRETE BARRIER, DID A 360 AND BOUNCED BACK TO OTHER CONCRETE BARRIER. PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. DRIVERS AIR BAG OPENED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. NO OTHER AIR BAGS OPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547409

25,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Visibility

I PURCHASED THE 2012 VENZA IN JUNE OF 2012 WITH HIGH HOPES. THE OPTIONS AND LOOK WERE PHENOMENAL. HOWEVER, THERE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IN OCT. OF 2012 THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW BURST WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. TODAY, 05/13/13, I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. MY…

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I PURCHASED THE 2012 VENZA IN JUNE OF 2012 WITH HIGH HOPES. THE OPTIONS AND LOOK WERE PHENOMENAL. HOWEVER, THERE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IN OCT. OF 2012 THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW BURST WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. TODAY, 05/13/13, I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. MY CONCERN NOW - I HAVE A SUNROOF AND PANORAMIC WINDOW WHICH I AM CONCERNED WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. TOYOTA NEEDS TO UP THEIR EXPECTATIONS - JUST BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED GM DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN LOWER THE STANDARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511626

Official recalls

4

21V257000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

Apr 13, 2021

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2009-2015 Venza vehicles. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) wiring may become damaged with regular use of the driver-side door.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

13V442000 · Air Bags; Electrical System; Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Oct 17, 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Air Bags

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Electrical System

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

13V123000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 9, 2013

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 16, 2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.