2013 Toyota VENZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
36,895 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 59 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 18.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Steering | 5 |
Air Bags: 12; Service Brakes: 10; Electrical System: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Engine: 7; Structure:Body: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Steering: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 7; 2014: 10; 2015: 7; 2016: 3; 2017: 6; 2018: 6; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 8; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10491322 · 2013-01-07 (January 7, 2013)
2013 TOYOTA VENZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FINGERS BEING CRUSHED IN REAR HATCH INCIDENT. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS WIFE WERE LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. WHEN HIS WIFE USED BOTH HANDS TO SLOWLY CLOSE THE HATCH, THE AUTOMATED FEATURE GRABBED THE HATCH BRINGING IT TO FULL CLOSURE ON HIS WIFE'S FINGERS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10491322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500554 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
PARK THE CAR GOT OUT TOOK THE KEYS OUT,WENT TO THE BACK OF CAR TO OPEN TRUNK CAR RUN BACK ON ME HIT ME AND RAN INTO A FENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10500554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500935 · 2013-03-01 (March 1, 2013)
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH MOON ROOF/SUN ROOF OPEN, THE MOON ROOF/SUN ROOF SHATTERED INTO A GAZILLION PIECES. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF A ROCK OR OTHER PROJECTILE HITTING THE MOON ROOF/SUN ROOF. IT JUST RAINED GLASS DOWN ON US WITHOUT WARNING. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS WEARING A BALL CAP THAT PROTECTED HIS EYES, BUT IT COULD HAVE BLINDED SOMEONE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I CUT STAINED GLASS SO AM FAMILIAR WITH HOW GLASS BREAKS. I BELIEVE THE PANORAMIC MOON ROOF/SUN ROOF IS A DESIGN DEFECT, WHICH RESULTED IN A STRESS FRACTURE. I HAVE PICTURES TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505377 · 2013-04-02 (April 2, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MANUALLY CLOSING THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE AUTOMATIC POWER FEATURE ACTIVATED AND INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED ON HIS LEFT MIDDLE FINGER. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AND HAD TO RECEIVE STITCHES TO THE FINGER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,900. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509225 · 2013-04-23 (April 23, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED A STRONG FLOW OF AIR EMITTING THROUGH THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PLANNED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543279 · 2013-09-12 (September 12, 2013)
DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON ENGINE SPEED FOR UP TO 3 OR MORE SECONDS. THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MAY 2013. IT NOW HAS 1200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS REASON WITHOUT RESULT. THE LAST DEALER VISIT IN SEPTEMBER 2013, I WAS ADVISED THE "DRIVE BY WIRE" SYSTEM WAS OPERATING TO SPECIFICATION AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM PRESENTLY. FURTHER, IT IS A PROBLEM COMMON TO THE VENZA MODEL AS WELL AS CERTAIN OTHER TOYOTA MO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10543279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555417 · 2013-12-10 (December 10, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564778 · 2014-02-18 (February 18, 2014)
TL -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT) HAD A EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT A SMALL QUANTITY OF PARTS WERE PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLES THAT WERE PURCHASED AT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE REPAIRED FIRST; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. RK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10564778 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V014000 · Seats | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V123000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2013-04-09 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V442000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | Air Bags | Electrical System
Reported: 2013-10-17 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V257000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
Reported: 2021-04-13 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗