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Toyota VenzaModel year report

2011 Toyota Venza Problems

Compared with other Toyota Venza years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012, 2014

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
59filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,300miles, 45 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.7L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Toyota Venza (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Venza most often describe brake concerns, heated front seat wiring problems, and clusters of dashboard warning lights that appear together. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to well past 100,000 miles, with several reports filed years after purchase.

  1. Brakes

    Brake pedal goes to the floor or brakes fail to engage

    • 8 complaints (14%)
    • median 22,616 mi at 4.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2018

    Owners describe pressing the pedal and having it travel all the way down with little or no braking effect, sometimes at highway speed, and describe pumping the pedal or using the parking brake to slow the vehicle. Several report the condition cleared after restarting the car and could not be reproduced on a test drive. According to complaints, dealers diagnosed a failed master cylinder or an open circuit in the stop lamp switch on some vehicles, while others were told nothing could be found. Reported from a few hundred miles up to roughly 87,000 miles, appearing at stops and at highway speed alike.

    Recall 12V091000

    What to check: Ask for brake service records and whether the master cylinder or stop lamp switch has been replaced. During a test drive, press and hold the pedal at a stop and note whether it stays firm or sinks toward the floor.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was unable to stop my car by depressing my brake pedal as I approached a red light in tulsa oklahoma. I took the vehicle to a certified mechanic for a vehicle inspection and was informed that the master cylinder was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10934823, filed 2016-12, 87,000 miles

    “This may or may not be a safety issue. However, when I make a stop and release the brake pedal a loud noise (thump) occurs. This happens at every stop I make. I have taken the car to two local dealers. One made an inspection the other did not and both responded with the same comment we don't know . One mechanic told me he thought a recall had been issued on the break pedal support assembly . I have been unable to locate the recall if it exist. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10525653, filed 2013-07, 17,232 miles
  2. Seats

    Heated seat stops working or smells of burning

    • 8 complaints (14%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2023

    Owners report that the driver-side heated seat stops warming, and some describe a strong electrical burning smell when the heater is switched on. Complaints mention melted or charred connectors and heater modules found after inspection. Some say a dealer disconnected the heater wiring or quoted a repair, and several owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered even though it was a Venza of the years named in a related recall. Mostly reported between roughly 59,000 and 101,000 miles, often noticed after a used purchase.

    Recall 14V743000

    What to check: Check whether the seat heater recall work was completed for the specific vehicle, and switch on both heated seats during the test drive, watching for uneven warmth or any burning odor.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Seats rubbed on console. Strong electrical burning smell. Drivers side heated seats no longer operate. When in reverse and turning steering wheel loud squealing noise and thumping until placed in drive. Went to several dealerships who said they could find nothing wrong. Drivers side sun visor fell down and blocked ability to see when driving.”

    NHTSA complaint #11096950, filed 2018-05, 20 miles

    “The driver seat heater when turned on overheated with a strong electrical burn smell. Toyota repair service said the heater element has gone bad, but no recall for our VIN# under NHTSA campain id#14v743000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10786323, filed 2015-10, 59,500 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Several dashboard warning lights come on together

    • 6 complaints (10%)
    • median 31,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2017

    Owners describe the ABS, traction control, stability control, steering and all-wheel-drive lights illuminating at the same time, sometimes with a message about the restraint system. Some report accompanying symptoms such as heavy steering, loss of air conditioning, or the engine shutting down at low speed. In one case a dealer traced the light pattern to an open circuit in the stop lamp switch; in others the cause was not identified. Spans a very wide range, from about 1,500 to 87,000 miles, and some reports link it to hot cabin temperatures or wet weather.

    Recall 12V091000

    What to check: With the engine running, confirm no warning lights stay lit on the cluster, and ask whether the stop lamp switch or any steering ECU work has been done. Note whether the lights return after the car sits in heat or rain.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On friday, april 17, 2015, a clear, sun shiny day, I experienced a sudden, violent deceleration with loud noises while driving at about 40 MPH on smooth pavement about three miles from my home. The slip indicator icon light was flashing on my dashboard indicating the vsc/trac had been engaged, cutting down the throttle and engaging the ABS,intermittently, as I limped home. On monday, april 21, 2015, I had the car towed to Toyota of northwest arkansas. The diagnosis was open circuit failure of the stop lamp switch. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10717570, filed 2015-05, 38,877 miles

    “The Toyota Venza 2011 has problems when the temperature inside the car is at high. The ABS light turn on making it hard to steer. The traction lost control light also turns on. A red steering wheel light turns on. Once all these lights are on, then the AC does not work and the heat doesn't work either. In the winter when the temperature is at high, the same problem occurs. In the summer the same problem occurs only the sun heats up the car causing the same warning light come on and then I can't get any air conditioning again. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11019780, filed 2017-08, 1,500 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Sun visor breaks or will not stay up

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • median 26,240 mi at 6.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2018

    Owners describe the sun visor dropping out of its mount or hanging loose, obstructing the view through the windshield. In other reports the visor is simply too short to block low sun. Complaints say dealers declined to cover the repair as a warranty item and that newer versions of the part appear to use a different design. Reported from around 20 miles to about 31,000 miles, including vehicles with very low mileage for their age.

    What to check: Flip both visors down and back up several times and check that they hold position and stay attached at the pivot.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a Toyota Venza of year 2011. I have it for last two years or so. The passenger side sun visor failed fell off its support unexpectedly during last week. I think this sun visor has prematurely. I understand that Toyota has recalled some of its vehicles for replacement. On my inquiry to one of the dealers, I was told that Toyota has recalled some of the camry models but not Venza models. Why not Venza models? Is that alright let to Venza users suffer?”

    NHTSA complaint #10730380, filed 2015-06, 25,480 miles

    “The sun visor in my Venza broke and will not stay in the up position creating a visibility issue. Upon an internet search, I found this was a common issue with several Toyota models. In fact, the camry was recalled for this issue. Toyota has changed the design of the visors in more recent model confirming that they are aware of a design flaw. I contacted the Toyota corporation but they said car was out of warranty and they would not discuss history of flawed visors. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11100417, filed 2018-06, 27,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on brake feel, the heated seat function and any stored warning-light codes is worthwhile on this model year, and it is worth confirming which of its open recalls were actually completed on the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota Venza. 45 of the complaints include a mileage, and 51% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,300 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 231 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 6 Toyota Venza model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (4), Engine (3), Equipment (3), Fuel system (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I have posted the most recent incident because this has happened multiple times since the time I purchased this car used in 2017. Something is causing the power to drain from the battery I have replaced the battery 3 times since 2017 I was told that I wasn't driving the car enough to keep it charged if I left it sit for 3 days without starting it.”

NHTSA complaint #11277290, filed 2019-10, 85,000 miles

Brakes: “Car was slowly pulling into a parking spot, when all of a sudden it revved its engine and accelarated. My foot was on the brake and it would not stop. The revving noise was loud. I hit a large tree that was luckily at the end of the parking spot. The tree is what stopped the car. When the car stopped, I looked and saw was in drive. I was able to put in reverse and back up and park safely. I shut the car off immediately.”

NHTSA complaint #11011417, filed 2017-07, 65,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Takata recall while car in motion at around 50mph on a highway, under normal road conditions and excellent car maintenance, a mysterious loud explosion burst occurred in the car. Then I noticed that the hood suddenly popped-up without any type of alert of flash light on the instrument panel, no hood vibration that would suggest it was opened. Although, I did a panic stop the airbag was not deployed at a potential collision. The burst broke the front glass, hood latches, bumpers were moved out of place. …”

NHTSA complaint #10854818, filed 2016-04, 31,000 miles

Seats: “The head rest for the front seats on the Venza makes these seats the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in, let alone drive. I am only 5' 4 tall and the way the head rest lands, it pushes my head forward when I drive. I end up with both a head ache and a neck ache whenever I drive. It appears this vehicle was designed for someone taller, perhaps a man. The head rest needs to be redesigned for someone of my stature. I would gladly pay for another headrest if one was available. But the bottom line here is that once again the needs of women (shorter than men) are not what is driving the design. …”

NHTSA complaint #10435080, filed 2011-11

Mileage when problems were reported

51% of the 45 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,232 and 85,200 miles.

18%0–109%10–2524%25–5016%50–7518%75–10016%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (45 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’12’148’16’188’20’23’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Toyota Venza. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Venza · SUV AWD★★★★☆4 / 2554 · 14.3% risk
Venza · SUV FWD★★★★☆4 / 2554 · 15.5% risk

Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Toyota Venza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Venza FWD2.7L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212723$2,900
Venza FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192621$3,200
Venza AWD2.7L 4-cyl6-speed automatic202522$3,050
Venza AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182521$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Toyota Venza → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 231 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 231 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Venza

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20152823,50015236 · FewerFalling
2014318,00015239 · FewerRising
20135936,895452354 · TypicalFalling
20122547,00044235 · FewerFalling
20115945,300642350 · TypicalRising
20107937,0009—2475 · MoreFalling
200917340,0008—24100 · MoreFalling

All Toyota Venza model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Venza?

Owners of the 2011 Venza most often describe brake concerns, heated front seat wiring problems, and clusters of dashboard warning lights that appear together. The issues reported most often: Brake pedal goes to the floor or brakes fail to engage; Heated seat stops working or smells of burning; Several dashboard warning lights come on together.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Toyota Venza have?

NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota Venza as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Toyota Venza is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 15 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 9.

Has the 2011 Toyota Venza been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2011 Toyota Venza do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Toyota Venza 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota Venza get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Venza (Venza, 2.7L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Toyota Venza reported?

Among the 45 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,300 miles and the middle half falls between 17,232 and 85,200 miles; 51% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.