repaired · 2023 Q3
Side/window: curtain
Risk. 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…
2012 Toyota VenzaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 25 owner complaints about the 2012 Toyota Venza, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-257 the manufacturer reports only 43% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 31, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: BuickCentury04, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Toyota Venza has problems
25 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
9Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
6Visibility/wiper
5Structure1 crash/fire/injury
1Seat belts
1Service brakes
1Steering
1Engine
1Vehicle speed control
1Visibility
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2012 Toyota Venza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Air bags
Risk. A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Venza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Venza median. How we score
'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Toyota Venza safety ratings
2012 Toyota Venza SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Venza owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the airbags warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Venza. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
The contact owned a 2012 TOYOTA VENZA. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle traveling in front of them came to an abrupt stop. In an effort to avoid the vehicle, the contact's husband jumped a curb and hit a light post. The front driver and passenger airbags…
Own a 2012 Venza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.