2012 Toyota Venza: common problems and reliability
An average Venza year.
25 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Venza?The 2012 Toyota Venza has 25 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and visibility/wiper. Owners most often flag panoramic sunroof leaks: requires resealing of silicone, a known issue for models produced 2009 through mid-2012.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Toyota Venza vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Venza years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Venza?
Across the 11 Venza model years we track, complaint volume runs from 21 (2023) to 188 (2021). With 25 complaints, the 2012 Venza sits below the model's median of 42.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Venza
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 13V014000Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 13V123000Southeast 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."
electrical system
Campaign 13V442000Toyota 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.
air bags:side/window:curtain
Campaign 21V257000Toyota 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is strongly positive for both generations, though with distinct character and known issues.
- RecurrentPanoramic sunroof leaks
Requires resealing of silicone, a known issue for models produced 2009 through mid-2012.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Venza. See the full Venza owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Venza listings typically run $17,999–$32,487 across 2009 to 2024 model years.
Other Venza model years
Compare every Venza year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
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