Last updated: 2026-03-04
2021 Toyota Venza Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 Toyota Venza scores 79/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 7 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2021 is the first model year of the Second generation (XU80).
Recalls
1
Complaints
7
Complaint Rate
1.1
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$444
Below avgMajor Repair Risk
10%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
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.
Second generation (XU80)
Should You Buy the 2021 Toyota Venza?
The 2021 Toyota Venza scores 79/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. As a first-year redesign, early-adopter issues are common.
With 7 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to exterior lighting (2). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
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 Hyundai Santa-FE
Score: 69/100
2021 Lexus RX
Score: 86/100
2021 Ford Explorer
Score: 62/100
2021 Kia Telluride
Score: 63/100
2021 Honda Passport
Score: 68/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
- VISIBILITY (1)
- SEAT BELTS (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2021 Toyota Venza has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1.1
per 10k soldSegment avg: 17
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0
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.
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.
2021 Toyota Venza NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.5%
Safety Technologies
Toyota Venza Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based 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
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2021 Toyota Venza
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- 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
Check Any 2021 Toyota Venza's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 Venza in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Toyota Venza with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 Toyota Venza Common Problems by Component
7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsOwners 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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintI 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 complaintThe 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-relatedOUR 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.
Best & Worst Toyota Venza Years
Best Toyota Venza Years to Buy
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).
Toyota Venza Years to Avoid
No Toyota Venza years are statistical outliers in our data — all years score consistently.
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.
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Venza reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Venza?
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Venza have?
Is the 2021 Toyota Venza expensive to maintain?
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.
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