2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 188
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 15
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 12
- Median mileage
- 5,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 79 of 188 complaints (42%).
- Lighting (16) and electrical system (15) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 5,500 mi.
- Owners reported 15 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries.
- The 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid has 2 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 4 Toyota Venza Hybrid model years we track.
2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid problems by category
- 79 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 2 crashes42 complaints
- Lighting16 complaints
- Electrical System · 2 crashes15 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion14 complaints
- Brakes · 6 crashes13 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 5 crashes12 complaints
- Engine · 1 crash11 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash9 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash8 complaints
- Body & Structure7 complaints
- Airbags · 6 crashes7 complaints
- Steering · 2 crashes5 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes4 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 74 |
| Unknown or other | 42 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 |
| Electrical system | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Service brakes | 11 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid recalls (2)
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 Venza Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear turn signal LED lights, allowing condensation to form on the circuit board, and causing a short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A short circuit can cause dimming or failure of the rear turn signals and hazard lights, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear turn signal LED bulbs and replace the rear turn signal light assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 18, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available by June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB01/22TA01.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota VENZA HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 7, 2026RIElectrical SystemLighting
low‑beam headlights/headlight assembly issues. Moisture getting in, corrosion of prongs that connect to the headlight assembly. Dimming lights once assembly was replaced. Condensation in the headlights. Some bulbs work while others don't.
NHTSA complaint #11755427 · source - Filed Jul 9, 2026TXOther / Unknown
Rear passenger side window exploded (shattered) while driving on the Hardy Toll Road in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11749273 · source - Filed Jul 9, 2026SCOther / Unknown
The center console has cracked and has sharp corners causing an increased risk of injury. Also may cause one to jerk the wheel if placing their elbow down and not expecting the sharp corner. No accident occurred as of yet, but could if someone else were to be driving my car and place their arm down on the center console. I have to place my arm down a certain way to avoid getting poked. Just wanted to report this as I am not sure if other owners have reported similar issue…
NHTSA complaint #11749249 · source - Filed May 1, 2026MOAirbags
My 2021 VENZA has had an issue with the airbag light coming on. The SRS Airbag Malfunction notification is on when starting the vehicle. Within the first year of having the car I paid to have the system checked and the tensioner and airbag replaced. Three months later the light came back on. I was told the seatbelt got twisted again. Other vehicles under Toyota have active recalls on Airbag issues currently with this manufacturer. I believe this make and model should be…
NHTSA complaint #11735141 · source - Filed Apr 7, 2026MNCrashBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
While driving under normal conditions and driving into my driveway on Thursday, March 19, I experienced a sudden and temporary loss of braking ability. When I applied the brake pedal, the vehicle did not decelerate as expected. This resulted in a collision with a residential fence at low speed. There were no warning lights or prior indications of a braking issue before the incident. The loss of braking appeared to be momentary, but significant enough to prevent me from…
NHTSA complaint #11729686 · source - Filed Apr 6, 2026VAOther / Unknown
While pulling up to a curb to park in residential community, my car suddenly accelerated. It came to a stop after 15’ when I hit the brakes. Fortunately nothing or no one was in front of me. No more incidents have occurred. No warning msgs or lights. No other symptoms. Having dealer diagnose this week.
NHTSA complaint #11729520 · source - Filed Apr 2, 2026ILVisibility & Wipers
Windshield suddenly cracked, making two large arcs several feet long. Driving on paved road at 20 mph, no gravel, no other traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11728858 · source - Filed Jan 26, 2026TNVisibility & Wipers
A large crack appeared on the windshield of my 2021 Toyota Venza. Due to this being a safety issue when driving the vehicle, so I looked into having it repaired by a local shop. When the Venza was taken to the repaired, the repair shop notified me that the issue didn't originate from a rock/chip. The issue was with the windshield or the windshield installation. After a quick Google search, it came to my attention that this is a frequent issue with this year and make. There…
NHTSA complaint #11713374 · source
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Other 2021 Toyota models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology