ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid, most frequently naming the visibility, electrical and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 151 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 5 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2025 | 3 | 9 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 12 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 13 |
| Aug 2025 | 2 | 15 |
| Sep 2025 | 4 | 19 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 21 |
| Nov 2025 | 3 | 24 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 25 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 26 |
| Apr 2026 | 4 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 31 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 33 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 34 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Visibility718.4%
- Electrical615.8%
- Driver assistance513.2%
- Fuel system410.5%
- Exterior lighting37.9%
- Engine37.9%
- Powertrain (other)25.3%
- Brakes25.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
low‑beam headlights/headlight assembly issues. Moisture getting in, corrosion of prongs that connect to the headlight assembly. Dimming lights once assembly was replaced. Condensation in the headlights. Some bulbs work while others don't.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755427
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2026
Rear passenger side window exploded (shattered) while driving on the Hardy Toll Road in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11749273
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2026
The center console has cracked and has sharp corners causing an increased risk of injury. Also may cause one to jerk the wheel if placing their elbow down and not expecting the sharp corner. No accident occurred as of yet, but could if someone else were to be driving my car and place their arm down on the center console. I have to place my arm down a certain way to avoid getting poked. Just wanted to report this as I am not sure if other owners have reported similar issue with their center console developing sharp edges. Would probably be similar to NHTSA campaign number 26V368000
- NHTSA ID
- 11749249
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2026
My 2021 VENZA has had an issue with the airbag light coming on. The SRS Airbag Malfunction notification is on when starting the vehicle. Within the first year of having the car I paid to have the system checked and the tensioner and airbag replaced. Three months later the light came back on. I was told the seatbelt got twisted again. Other vehicles under Toyota have active recalls on Airbag issues currently with this manufacturer. I believe this make and model should be included. I am currently having to pay another diagnostic fee in 2026 after only having the preowned vehicle two years to figure out why the SRS malfunction notification has come back on. Of course the light has come on when the vehicle is out of warranty. My safety is at risk if the airbag malfunctions so of course I am taking this notification very seriously. I don't ignore issues like this. Consistent failure in the airbag system is scary. I don't want to have an accident in which the airbag fails. This make and model is not longer being produced but it should be included in Toyota's current airbag recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735141
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
This just showed in my 2021 Toyota Venza. I heard that this is is common issue for all Toyota but was not corrected .
- NHTSA ID
- 11734838
- Incident
- Apr 18, 2026
While driving under normal conditions and driving into my driveway on Thursday, March 19, I experienced a sudden and temporary loss of braking ability. When I applied the brake pedal, the vehicle did not decelerate as expected. This resulted in a collision with a residential fence at low speed. There were no warning lights or prior indications of a braking issue before the incident. The loss of braking appeared to be momentary, but significant enough to prevent me from stopping the vehicle in time. The vehicle has been regularly maintained and had no known prior brake issues although there are times when the brakes skip when traction is involved. There are also sudden issues with the acceleration. Given the safety risk, I believe this incident may be related to a potential defect in the braking system or electronic control systems.
- NHTSA ID
- 11729686
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2026
While pulling up to a curb to park in residential community, my car suddenly accelerated. It came to a stop after 15’ when I hit the brakes. Fortunately nothing or no one was in front of me. No more incidents have occurred. No warning msgs or lights. No other symptoms. Having dealer diagnose this week.
- NHTSA ID
- 11729520
- Incident
- Mar 17, 2026
Windshield suddenly cracked, making two large arcs several feet long. Driving on paved road at 20 mph, no gravel, no other traffic.
- NHTSA ID
- 11728858
- Incident
- May 1, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
ENGINE
OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
ENGINE
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator. Excessive corrosion can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start.
ENGINE
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.