2013 Toyota Venza recalls and problems

The 2013 Toyota Venza has 4 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
59
Crashes / fires
13 / 1
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Toyota Venza vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Toyota Venza recalls

Recall 21V-257: Air Bags

Reported Apr 13, 2021 · 279,040 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

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 the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-442: Equipment, Air Bags, Electrical System

Reported Oct 17, 2013 · 802,769 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-123: Equipment

Reported Apr 9, 2013 · 7,525 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-014: Seats, Air Bags

Reported Jan 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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 the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Fix: 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.

2013 Toyota Venza problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags12
Structure10
Service Brakes10
Electrical System10
Unknown or Other9
Vehicle Speed Control7
Engine7
Steering6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seats2
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2
Power Train1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate — 3
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical — 1
  • Steering › Electric Power Assist System — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 36,895 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Toyota Venza complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Apr 19, 2026
Upon approaching my vehicle and unlocking it, the drivers side mirror courtesy light wire caught on fire and started smoking. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because had I not been there my entire car could have caught on fire as well as any thing or anyone around or in my vehicle. No one has inspected the vehicle at this time. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. They first appeared the moment it happened.
Back Over Prevention · reported Dec 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. In addition, the contact stated that due to the failure, the contact was concerned about crashing into any objects behind the vehicle while reversing. The contact stated that the rear-view display was not viewable. The manufacturer…
Unknown or Other · reported Nov 15, 2025
When the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) light comes on, it also cuts power to the engine even when the car is moving at full highway speed. This can pose a great danger when crossing bridges or anytime while driving the vehicle in traffic.
Air Bags · reported Oct 6, 2023
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Potential Safety Issue - 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally report a potential safety concern related to the 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models. The issue pertains to a discernible creaking sound originating from the turn signal stalk when the turn signals are engaged and the steering wheel is turned. Upon thorough examination, it has been identified that the source of this noise is the clock spring, a crucial airbag component designated by its yellow color and distinguished by two…
Structure · reported Oct 4, 2023
Sunroof/moonroof assembly leaks heavily in rain, makes cracking sound over bumps Dealer/manufacturer will not fix, they want $4600 to repair

Other Toyota Venza years

Compare all Toyota Venza years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Venza have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Venza: 21V-257 (air bags), 13V-442 (equipment, air bags, electrical system), 13V-123 (equipment), 13V-014 (seats, air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Venza?

Owners report air bags problems most often (12 reports), followed by structure (10). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 36,895 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.