Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 79/100 (GOOD)

2021 Toyota Venza Reliability Report

Name: 2021 Toyota Venza
Brand: Toyota

The 2021 Toyota Venza scores 79/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 7 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

1.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$444

Annual Fuel Cost

$1,550

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity74/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity75/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues to Watch

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)
VISIBILITY (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Redesign Year

2021 is the first model year of the Second generation (XU80).

First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
Redesigned for the 2021 model year.
Refreshed in 2023, 2024.
2nd generation Venza (US).

What this means for buyers

First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.

Compare 2021 pricing and recall counts against 2022+ before deciding.

2021: Second generation (XU80) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2021 Toyota Venza?

At 79/100, the 2021 Toyota Venza lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. As a first-year redesign, early-adopter issues are common.

Owners log 7 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.

Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to exterior lighting (2). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

Compared to the 2022 Toyota Venza, which scored 1 points higher.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+$129 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
+Low major repair risk (10%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−EXTERIOR LIGHTING issues reported (2 complaints)
−FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2021 Toyota Venza With

2021 Lexus RX

Reliability: 86/100

Excellent

2021 Hyundai Santa-FE

Reliability: 69/100

Good

2021 Ford Explorer

Reliability: 62/100

Good

2021 KIA Telluride

Reliability: 63/100

Good

2021 Honda Passport

Reliability: 68/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2021 Toyota Venza carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 17.5

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Toyota Venza Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Toyota Venza. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

22V0330002022-01-26

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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."

Consequence

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Toyota Venza? Check its history first

Every 2021 Toyota Venza has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Toyota Venza NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

HEV Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 15.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Seat Pan Airbag)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Toyota VenzaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$444

vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.5

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

10%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Venza

$444

Category Avg

$573

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Hybrid

39 MPG

Running cost: $2,000/yr

Fuel + repair

40 city / 37 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Venza AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S6)	40	37	39	$1,550

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Toyota Venza.

Verify fuel gauge accuracy by filling the tank and checking the gauge reading
Test fuel tank capacity by filling from empty to ensure it holds close to 14.5 gallons
Inspect low beam headlights for dark shadows in the illuminated field
Check passenger side seatbelt for proper tension and retraction
Test acceleration from a stop to ensure no loss of power occurs

2021 Toyota Venza Common Problems by Component

7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)VISIBILITY (1)SEAT BELTS (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Venza frequently report experiencing dark shadows in the illuminated field when using low beam headlights. These shadows are described as appearing in the top portion of the light field and can be distracting, especially on dark or curvy roads. The issue is noted by owners to be absent when high beams are activated. The complaints do not specify any particular mileage range, suggesting the issue may occur regardless of vehicle age or use. While no crashes or safety incidents are reported, the distraction caused by these shadows could be a consideration for potential buyers.

2 complaints total

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Toyota Venza report issues with the fuel system, particularly concerning the fuel gauge and tank capacity. Complaints frequently mention that the fuel gauge does not accurately reflect the amount of fuel in the tank, with instances of the gauge displaying a higher fuel level than what is actually in the tank. Additionally, multiple owners describe the vehicle's inability to fill beyond approximately 11 gallons, despite an advertised capacity of 14.5 gallons. This discrepancy leads to inaccurate range estimates, potentially leaving drivers stranded. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control, but the potential for running out of fuel unexpectedly poses a safety risk. These issues are noted in vehicles shortly after purchase, suggesting they may be present from the outset.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2025-10-30

I was stopped at an intersection. When I pressed the accelerator to try to pull across the intersection, the vehicle initially began to move forward but almost immediately all acceleration power was lost. The accelerator pedal could be pushed to the floor with no response from the vehicle. It took several seconds of feathering the accelerator for the vehicle to regain the ability to move forward and I was able to clear the intersection. This is the fourth time that I have experienced the same issue with this vehicle over the past two years. The problem cannot be replicated by the dealer. There are no warning lights on in the vehicle. I don’t know if warnings appear during this few seconds of power failure because it happens very quickly and my focus is trying to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. This is a serious safety concern because it has occurred while trying to move through an intersection or pull onto the road. The vehicle losing power and stopping in these moments could result in a collision with an oncoming vehicle.

VISIBILITY (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

2023-10-26

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid. The contact stated that the windshield had developed a crack that formed from the front passenger’s side corner to approximately 2-feet towards the front driver’s side. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaintSafety-related

2021-04-01Crash reported1 injury

OUR CAR IMPACTED WITH ANOTHER AS WE TRIED TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM A SHORT MERGE LANE. THE OTHER CAR ENTERED IN FRONT OF US FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER WE PASSED A STOP SIGN IN THE MERGE LANE; THE OTHER CAR THEN STOPPED SHORT BEFORE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, JUST AS WE WERE SPEEDING UP THE ENTER THE HIGHWAY. A SENSOR SOUNDED IN OUR CAR, WE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, AND THE TWO CARES COLLIDED. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED; THE REAR DRIVE SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR WAS DAMAGED. DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT IN OUR CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT IN OUR CAR LOOSENED INSTEAD OF TIGHTENED; PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON DASHBOARD AS BRAKES WERE HIT OR IMPACT HAPPENED (WE WERE GOING APPROX. 15 MPH. UPON IMPACT). SAID PASSENGER OBSERVED UPON IMPACT OF HEAD ON DASH THAT HER SEAT BELT WAS HANGING SLACK AWAY FROM HER CHEST BY APPROX. SIX TO EIGHT INCHES. TOYOTA PRODUCT LIABILITY DEPT. WAS INFORMED (CASE NUMBER 210409002008) BETWEEN 6:15 AND 7:30 PM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2021. THEY SAY THEY WILL DOWNLOAD THE "BLACK BOX" INFORMATION, BUT THEY HAVEN'T COMMITTED TO A PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF THE SEATBELT, WHICH SEEMS CRITICAL (I.E., THAT A SEATBELT ENGINEER PHYSICALLY INVESTIGATE).*DT

When Do 2021 Toyota Venza Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

18,000 milesWindshield cracks

Best & Worst Toyota Venza Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Toyota Venza Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Toyota Venza year is 2024 with a reliability score of 80/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2023 (80/100) and 2022 (80/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Toyota Venza Years to Avoid

No Toyota Venza years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Toyota Venza maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Toyota Venza years-to-avoid analysis

Toyota Venza Reliability Score Trend

Toyota Venza reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 80/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Toyota Venza reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2021	79/100	Good
2022	80/100	Excellent
2023	80/100	Excellent
2024	80/100	Excellent

Toyota Venza Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2024	80/100	0	Excellent	2	0
2023	80/100	0	Excellent	2	0
2022	80/100	+1	Excellent	0	2
2021(selected)	79/100	—	Good	1	7

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Venza reliable?

The 2021 Toyota Venza has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 79/100. It is reasonably reliable with 1 recall and 7 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Venza?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 Toyota Venza include: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), VISIBILITY (1 complaints), SEAT BELTS (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Venza have?

The 2021 Toyota Venza has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

Is the 2021 Toyota Venza expensive to maintain?

The 2021 Toyota Venza has estimated annual repair costs of $444/year, which is $129 less than the midsize SUVs average of $573. With a reliability score of 79/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Venza without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Toyota Venza.

No spam. Only data updates for this model.