IllustrationWhen the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) light comes on, it also cuts power to the engine even when the car is moving at full highway speed. This can pose a great danger when crossing bridges or anytime while driving the vehicle in traffic.
2013 Toyota Venza
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Venza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 59.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Venza years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
1125–50K
450–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
5150K+
37 reports with mileage · 22 unknown
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 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports1 fire reports12 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
9 reports2013 Venza pasenger side and back leak very bad when it rains
BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE VERY FIRST DAY AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE AREA. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE WEIRD, JUST SMOKE. NOW, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE BRAKES SOMETIMES FEEL AS IF THEY'RE LOCKING UP AND NOT LETTING GO, BUT ALSO NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. SMOKE IS ALSO COMING OUT OF TH…
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BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE VERY FIRST DAY AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE AREA. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE WEIRD, JUST SMOKE. NOW, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE BRAKES SOMETIMES FEEL AS IF THEY'RE LOCKING UP AND NOT LETTING GO, BUT ALSO NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. SMOKE IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKE AREA AGAIN. SEEING AS THIS IS 2019 AND IT'S A 2013 CAR, THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON THE CAR. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SOME INFORMATION ABOUT AN INTERNAL LEAK INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER. A PROBLEM THAT IS HARD TO REPLICATE FOR A DEALERSHIP, WARRANTY OR NOT. DECIDED TO LOOK FOR RECALL INFO ABOUT THE BRAKES FOR THIS CAR WHEN I CHOSE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA. I WILL ALSO NOTIFY TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I'M HOPING THAT BY REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED.
GLASS ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY ANY OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CLEAR DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND I BEGAN TO HEAR GLASS CRUMBLING AND FALLING INSIDE THE VEHICLES ROOF VISOR.
ON 03-27-2017 APPROXIMATELY 2:15P I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH SOUTH ON I94/I43 IN MY 2013 TOYOTA VENZA XLE JUST SOUTH OF THE BECHER/LAPHAM AVE EXIT IN MY WHEN I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH RESEMBLED A GUNSHOT SOUND AT THE SAME TIME FLYING GLASS COMING FROM OVER MY HEAD. MY SUNROOF IMPLODED ON TOP OF ME AND THERE WAS SHATTERED GL…
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ON 03-27-2017 APPROXIMATELY 2:15P I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH SOUTH ON I94/I43 IN MY 2013 TOYOTA VENZA XLE JUST SOUTH OF THE BECHER/LAPHAM AVE EXIT IN MY WHEN I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH RESEMBLED A GUNSHOT SOUND AT THE SAME TIME FLYING GLASS COMING FROM OVER MY HEAD. MY SUNROOF IMPLODED ON TOP OF ME AND THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE FLYING BEHIND ME AS I LOOKED INSIDE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I THOUGH I WAS SHOT AT OR EVEN A ROCK WAS THROWN. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE HAS NEVER HEARD OR SEEN THIS WITH ANY TOYOTAS. I CALLED THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND TAKE A REPORT FOR MY INSURANCE. THERE WAS NO ROCKS OR BULLETS FOUND IN OR AROUND THE SUNROOF TO HAVE CAUSED THE SHATTERING OF BOTH SECTIONS OF GLASS. ON 03-28-2017, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM (WILD TOYOTA HALES CORNERS WI) AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT HEADQUARTERS. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS 2K MILES OVER THE WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BUT I WOULD GET A CALL FROM THE REGIONAL TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY WOULD TRY TO WORK WITH ME?? I GOOGLED TOYOTA EXPLODING SUNROOFS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NOT JUST TOYOTA BUT MANY CAR MANUFACTURERS.. AT POINT DOES THE GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED AND SHUT DOWN THE MAKER OF THESES SUNROOFS. I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS INCIDENT AND FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO DISMISS THIS AS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY CONCERN IS RIDICULOUS!
WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WHEN APPROACHING A PARKING STALL AND PREPARING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD CAUSING US TO REAR END A VEHICLE AHEAD, WHICH HAD ALREADY PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AND WAS PULLED THROUGH THEIR PARKING STALL. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS SUCH A SURPRISE WITH LITTLE TIME TO REA…
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WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, WHEN APPROACHING A PARKING STALL AND PREPARING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD CAUSING US TO REAR END A VEHICLE AHEAD, WHICH HAD ALREADY PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AND WAS PULLED THROUGH THEIR PARKING STALL. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS SUCH A SURPRISE WITH LITTLE TIME TO REACT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATION WAS RAPID AND INTENSE AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT IS TO COMPARE IT TO IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND QUICKLY RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE POLICE RESPONDED, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE TOYOTA CAR DEALER WILL NOT EVALUATE OR RESPOND TO LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE, BUT PROVIDE AN 800 NUMBER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. BASED UPON OUR INCIDENT AND OTHER REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA, WE DON'T CONSIDER THE VENZA A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE HIGHWAYS. WE WILL BE PURCHASING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE, PROBABLY FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER.
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. DAMAGING THE FRONT AND BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. I HAVE INJURIES AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING I NOTICED A MILDEW TYPE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENT SYSTEM WHEN I CUT ON THE HEAT. I REPORTED DURING SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE FILTER WOULD BE CHANGED AND SOME TYPE OF ODOR REDUCER PLACED IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT'S WINTER AGAIN AND THE ODOR IS SO BAD THAT I AM GETTING CAR SICK WHENEVER THE HEAT IS…
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THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING I NOTICED A MILDEW TYPE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENT SYSTEM WHEN I CUT ON THE HEAT. I REPORTED DURING SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE FILTER WOULD BE CHANGED AND SOME TYPE OF ODOR REDUCER PLACED IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT'S WINTER AGAIN AND THE ODOR IS SO BAD THAT I AM GETTING CAR SICK WHENEVER THE HEAT IS ON, WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES. IS THERE ANY RECALLS IN PLACE FOR THIS, I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THIS COMPLAINT. BASED ON OTHER INTERNET COMPLAINTS, THIS MAY BE MOLD BUILD UP.
MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LURCH FORWARD (UINTENDED ACCELERATION). SHE HIT A POLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME 2 WEEKS EARLIER WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING BUT I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR. I WANT T…
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MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LURCH FORWARD (UINTENDED ACCELERATION). SHE HIT A POLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME 2 WEEKS EARLIER WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING BUT I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR. I WANT THEM TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS WHICH I DID AND GOT A CASE # 1509152873.
Official recalls
421V257000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.