Is the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Venza Hybrid years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid are in line with other Venza Hybrid years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Venza Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 79 (42%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 16 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 15 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 188 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 9 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
13 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid: 2
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. Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Water may enter the rear turn signal LED lights, allowing condensation to form on the circuit board, and causing a short circuit. A short circuit can cause dimming or failure of the rear turn signals and hazard lights, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 81
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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)…
Some 2018 - 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an "Engine Maintenance…
Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Pedestrian alert sounds
Neighbouring years
2022 Venza Hybrid: 44 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Venza Hybrid year
2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · All Venza Hybrid years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Venza Hybrid years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: visibility and wipers (79), exterior lighting (16), electrical system (15), fuel system (14), brakes (13).
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Stability control (NHTSA 22V-239), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-033). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.