Is the 2021 Toyota VENZA reliable?

The 2021 Toyota VENZA has 234 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Toyota VENZA?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (79 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (39 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Toyota VENZA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Toyota VENZA?

The 2021 Toyota VENZA gets 39 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1231. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Toyota VENZA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Toyota VENZA is approximately $1,687/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Toyota VENZA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Toyota VENZA has 234 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.2x the segment average of 73. The most common issue is visibility problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: very small rock hit front windshield, which cracked soon after purchase. i might be willing to rack this up to bad luck, but there are several others that have posted online about the exact same scenario, see toyotanation forum https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/windshield-repair.1695878/ as well . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

16 crash reports 12 injuries

234

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

79 complaints

34%

• Very small rock hit front windshield, which cracked soon after purchase. I might be willing to rack this up to bad luck, but there are several others that have posted online about the exact same scenario, see ToyotaNation forum https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/windshield-repair.1695878/ as well
• Vehicle 2 weeks old; small pebble (pea size) hit windshield centered on passenger vision (approx 80% from left to right) ; crack starts to form in windshield to left of driver vision (approx 10% from left to right) starting at the bottom in the black trim section - nowhere near pebble impact; over
• Faulty front windshield cracked without any known damage.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Very small rock hit front windshield, which cracked soon after purchase. I might be willing to rack this up to bad luck, but there are several others that have posted online about the exact same scenario, see ToyotaNation forum https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/windshield-repair.1695878/ as well ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Toyota VENZA

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE13/04/2022

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Toyota VENZA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,231

Per month

$103

Per mile

10.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,200/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Toyota VENZA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,687

Full coverage / month

$141

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

+1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1687

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota VENZA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2021 VENZA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 234 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: Very small rock hit front windshield, which cracked soon after purchase. I might be willing to rack this up to bad luck, but there are several others that have posted online about the exact same scenario, see ToyotaNation forum https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/windshield-repair.1695878/ as well
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Small rock hit windshield causing it to immediately crack 12” long and in an arc. In 55 years driving never had this occurrence. Checked website and apparently there are quite a few incidents of the same size of crack and arc happening in 2021 Venza. Wondered if there is a manufacturers defect with
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Venza. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to open or start. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle with some assistance and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: The venzas headlights, while on low beam only, have 2 shadows or blobs in the drivers view. It is very distracting especially while turning or cornering. It appears as if things are running out in front of the car. The issue is discussed by Venza owners on the Toyota nation blog. https://www.toyotan
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)