IllustrationAIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS HIY AT A HIGH SPEED ON DRIVERS DIDE FRONT WHEEL. I WAS IN MOYION WHIL A TRUCK HIT ME GOING AT A HIGH SPEED AND WAS DRAGGED WHEN WHEELS GOT STUCK
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 →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
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
Structure complaints
5 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED, WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,272.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HATCHBACK FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN USING THE REMOTE ACCESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK NEEDED TO BE MANUALLY CLOSED. INITIALLY, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE HATCHBACK FAILING TO OPEN USING THE REMOTE ACCESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HATCHBACK FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN USING THE REMOTE ACCESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK NEEDED TO BE MANUALLY CLOSED. INITIALLY, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE HATCHBACK FAILING TO OPEN USING THE REMOTE ACCESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND A GRINDING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
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. …
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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
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.