A dead or damaged Toyota Venza, sold whole

Toyota sold two quite different Venzas. The first, for 2009-2015, was a Kentucky-built crossover on Camry underpinnings. The second, for 2021-2024, was a hybrid-only model imported from Japan. Across both, NHTSA's files hold 729 complaints and 16 recall campaigns.

Two Venzas with a gap between them

2009-2015. Assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, where Toyota also built the Camry and Avalon. Toyota engineered it in Ann Arbor for North America only. It came with a 2.7-liter four (182 hp) or a 3.5-liter V6 (268 hp), a six-speed automatic either way, and front- or all-wheel drive. NHTSA counts 453 complaints and 11 recalls on these seven model years.

2021-2024. A rebadged version of the Japanese Harrier, built at Toyota's Takaoka plant. Every one is a hybrid: a 2.5-liter four with three electric motors, 219 hp combined, and electronic all-wheel drive. The lithium-ion battery fits under the rear seat. These four years have 276 complaints and 5 recalls. The Crown Signia took over for 2025.

First generation: air bag wiring, pedals, brake lights

Wiring in the driver's door

Recall 21V257, filed in April 2021, covers certain 2009-2015 Venzas: 279,040 cars. Years of opening and closing the driver's door can damage the air bag wiring inside it. The sensor on that side can then stop working, and the driver-side side and curtain air bags may not deploy. Dealers inspect the door harness and replace it free if needed. Owner letters went out October 19, 2021.

Set NHTSA's catch-all "unknown or other" bucket aside and air bags top the Venza's 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 complaints.

Water dripping on the air bag computer, 2012-2013

Recall 13V442 targets a clogged air conditioning drain that can leak water onto the air bag control module. The resulting short circuit can disable the bags or fire them with no crash, and it can upset power steering assist as well. The campaign also covers the 2012-2013 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, and its 802,769 count includes them. Dealers seal the condenser housing and fit a cover over the module.

Pedals and surging, 2009-2010

Speed control is the top complaint area on the 2009 (29 of 173) and the 2010 (12 of 79). In NHTSA's online listing for the 2009, owners describe the car surging forward, and others report failed wheel speed sensors. Recall 10V023 reworked accelerator pedals that could jam wide open under an unsecured or mismatched floor mat. It covers 2009-2010 Venzas along with the 2008-2010 Highlander and the 2009-2010 Corolla and Matrix: 1,126,915 vehicles in all.

Two smaller fixes

Recall 12V091 replaced brake light switches on 2009-2011 Venzas and some 2009 Camrys, 186,798 vehicles, because grease on the contacts could leave the brake lights dark. Recall 11V306 covered just 50 Venzas and Siennas built March 7-10, 2011, whose right front drive shaft may break.

The 2021-2024 hybrid: cracked windshields

The 2021 has more complaints than any other Venza year, 188, and 71 of them are filed under visibility and wipers. NHTSA's online listing holds 74 write-ups on the 2021 that mention a crack. Most describe the windshield, and several owners say nothing struck the glass. We found no Toyota recall, bulletin or warranty extension for it.

Five recall campaigns cover the 2021-2024 hybrid. Two are a mailed load label from distributor Gulf States Toyota (24V548) and a rearview camera software update for cars with the panoramic view monitor (25V744). The other three:

• 22V033, 41,544 cars from 2021. Water can seep into the rear turn signal LEDs and short the circuit board, dimming or killing the turn signals and hazard lights.
• 22V239, 2021-2022. If a driver turns stability control off, the software may fail to bring it back on at the next start. The campaign spans several Toyota and Lexus models, 458,110 vehicles in total.
• 25V595, 2023-2024. An instrument panel software error at startup can leave the display without key information. It covers many Toyota and Lexus models, 591,377 vehicles, and dealers fix it with an over-the-air update. Letters began December 5, 2025.

The hybrid battery has long coverage. For 2020 and newer Toyota hybrids, the battery warranty runs "10 years from date of first use/150,000 miles, whichever comes first." Toyota's release adds that "All other HV components will retain coverage under the Hybrid System Warranty at 8 years/100,000 miles."

Venza complaints and recalls, year by year

Venza totals: NHTSA's own databases, pulled for this page on October 10, 2026. "Busiest component" skips the unknown-or-other bucket, and a multi-year recall shows up under each year it covers.

There are no 2016-2020 rows: US sales stopped after the 2015 model year, and the hybrid arrived for 2021.

Repair it first, or sell it?

Hold the repair estimate up against the going price of a working Venza with similar miles. If the repair would cost nearly what the fixed car is worth, weigh selling the whole car as it sits. Before deciding:

• Air bag light on a 2009-2015? Have a dealer run the VIN. The door wiring recall is free if it was never done.
• Hybrid warning on a 2021-2024? Ask whether the battery is still inside the 10-year, 150,000-mile coverage before paying for anything.
• Engine gone on a first-generation car? Our blown engine guide covers how to weigh it.

Curious what moves the number on a car like this? See what a junk car is worth.

Selling your Venza whole

1. Find the VIN and mileage, and list what's wrong in a sentence or two.
2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where the car is: in a garage, at a body shop, on the street. Say whether it rolls and whether the wheels turn, so the right equipment is sent. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Don't pull the hybrid battery, the converter or the wheels to sell on the side. If something is already gone, tell us; missing parts move the offer.
5. When the tow truck pulls up, you'll need the title, the keys and a photo ID. For plates and insurance afterward, see after you sell.

Also on our list: the Camry, the Highlander and every other Toyota.