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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Toyota VenzaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Venza. Most complaints involve air bags (9) and visibility/wiper (6). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
25
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 13, 2021NHTSA 21V257000

Electrical system

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 17, 2013NHTSA 13V442000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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."

EquipmentReported Apr 9, 2013NHTSA 13V123000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

25 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2013 – Aug 2025
  1. Air bags9
  2. Visibility/wiper6
  3. Structure5
  4. Steering1
  5. Engine1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Venza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009173
201079
201159
201225
201359
201431
201528
20240
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

9 reports4 crashes
“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 dealer for the recall repair. The dealer advised the contact that the recalls repair had been completed; however, upon picking up the vehicle, the contact noticed that the airbags warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The dealer advised the contact that they would need to remove the driver’s and passenger’s side front door panels, and the carpet to repair the vehicle. The contact was also informed that the repair would be completed at her expense. The contact declined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2022Air bagsODI 11446013

Visibility/wiper

6 reports
“SUN VISORS, (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES) HAVE BROKEN AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VISORS IN PLACE.THEY BOTH FALL AT RANDOM CAUSING DISTRACTIONS. THE VISORS HAVE NOT BEEN ABUSED IN ANY WAY AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2021Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11413886

Structure

5 reports1 crash
“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS HIY AT A HIGH SPEED ON DRIVERS DIDE FRONT WHEEL. I WAS IN MOYION WHIL A TRUCK HIT ME GOING AT A HIGH SPEED AND WAS DRAGGED WHEN WHEELS GOT STUCK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2018Air bags, Seat belts, StructureCrash reportedODI 11072513
All 2012 Venza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Venza
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800386
Venza AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
Venza
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
Venza AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
  • Venza
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Venza AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Venza
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Venza AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Venza SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Venza SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6572Vehicle 6285
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Venza questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Venza have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Toyota Venza problems?

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (9), visibility/wiper (6), structure (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Toyota Venza get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Venza at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Toyota Venza?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Toyota Venza 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026