AI Damage2013 Toyota Venza: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Toyota Venza filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 59
- involving a crash
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 12% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 12 complaints (20% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (17% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 10 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 7 complaints (12% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 59 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving on a wet 50 degree night in january 12 t and lost total visability when entering lyndon vermon going around 20 mph and ran into a telephone pole and the airbags did not deploy.
On hwy vehicle wouldn't stop or steer, lost all power and control. Came to stop in the median, had to have towed, cause is listed as :173600410, c1201, c1241, c1441 toyota of irving called to inform me that they were not able to recreate the problem and that the vehicle is operating as designed by the manufacturer.
I was driving through an intersection on a green light and was struck by another car running a red light. Damaging the front and both sides of my car. I have injuries and my car was totaled by the insurance company. The airbags did not deploy.
Edmund's web site has hundreds of complaints of cars acting the same way and some people have their cars stall in intersections . Bottom line with this issue someone is or has going to be killed unless their is a recall or investigation.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the left and right arms which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was damaged and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
While coming to a stop to park with my foot on the brake the car suddenly lunged forward crashing into the wire cables in front of the parking spot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota venza. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a building. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The failure was not diagnosed by a mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,893 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Venza has 57 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 59, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Venza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 59. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), airbag warning light (8%), windows, sunroof (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Toyota Venza?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Toyota Venza from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.