2010 Toyota Venza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Toyota Venza carries a complaint index of 83, ranking 2nd worst out of 7 model years, and earns an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 79 complaints, 9 recall campaigns, and a top problem area of Engine with a median failure mileage of 13,350 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #2 of 7 Venza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 79
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2010 Toyota Venza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine19 (24%)
- Structure & Body19 (24%)
- Electrical System17 (22%)
- Other15 (19%)
- Brakes10 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (8%)
- Airbags5 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (6%)
- Steering3 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the front airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including a rollover crash on a highway.
- Some vehicles reportedly caught fire in the engine compartment shortly after being parked, with smoke and intense flames destroying the radiator and front tire area.
- Drivers describe brakes not engaging when applied at a traffic stop or from 35 mph, sometimes with a pulsation feeling as if the ABS was working but not stopping the car.
- Several owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or pulling into a spot, resulting in a crash into a wall or barrier.
- A driver's seat heater reportedly produced a burning odor and shorted out, requiring replacement of the heating element.
2010 Toyota Venza recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V257000Apr 13, 2021Airbags279,040 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
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.
Risk: Damaged wires may cause the air bag sensor to become inoperable, preventing the deployment of the side and curtain air bags on the driver side and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver-side front door wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB01/21TA01.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
2010 Toyota Venza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Venza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Toyota Venza reliable?
- Compared to other Venza model years, the 2010 ranks 2nd worst out of 7 years tracked, with a complaint index of 83 and 79 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Toyota Venza?
- Engine issues are the top complaint area, accounting for 19 complaints (24% share), with a median failure mileage of 13,350 miles, including reports of fires and unintended acceleration.
- Does the 2010 Toyota Venza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2010 Venza, covering airbags, structure and body components, electrical systems, and other issues, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2010 Venza compare to other Venza years?
- The 2010 Venza has a complaint index of 83, worse than 2011 (50), 2012 (17), 2013 (67), 2014 (0), and 2015 (33), all of which carry better verdicts.
- Did the 2010 Toyota Venza have airbag deployment problems?
- Yes, multiple NHTSA complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including a rear-end collision and a rollover, with airbags accounting for 5 complaints.