2013 Toyota Venza — Known Issues & Recalls

Your 2013 Toyota Venza was hit on the driver's side at 20 mph by another vehicle, but the airbags did not deploy. You suffered serious injuries including head trauma, bruising on your left arm, lower back, and chest, along with internal bleeding that required hospitalization. The vehicle was totaled in the accident. Airbag deployment depends on the airbag system's sensors and electrical components working properly during impact.

Your airbag warning light turned on and a diagnostic scan revealed error code B1698. You tried swapping the left and right door sensors and disassembled the center console and door panels, but couldn't fix the problem. You've been driving without a functioning airbag system. The issue likely involves a faulty door sensor or wiring that will need professional diagnosis and repair.

Your SRS airbag system warning light came on while driving on the highway at 50 mph. When your mechanic ran a diagnostic scan, the computer showed this was the second time the light had activated (the first occurrence was in August 2014). The underlying cause of the warning needs to be diagnosed at the dealership to determine if there's an actual airbag system fault.

You may hear a creaking or clicking noise from the turn signal stalk when you use your turn signals and turn the steering wheel. This noise comes from the clock spring, a critical airbag component, and can lead to clock spring failure over time, which triggers the airbag warning light on your dashboard. Fixing this typically requires replacing the clock spring assembly.

Your 2013 Toyota Venza has an airbag warning light that turns on when you start the vehicle. Toyota issued a recall (Campaign 21V257000) to fix this problem, but the required parts weren't available when you tried to get the repair done. Both the dealer and manufacturer confirmed the parts are still unavailable, and you feel the delay has gone on too long.

You own a 2013 Toyota Venza and received a recall notice for the airbags (campaign 21V257000), but the replacement parts aren't available yet. You feel the manufacturer has taken too long to make these parts available for the recall repair. Your dealer and Toyota are aware of the delay, and you haven't experienced any airbag failure so far. The repair will likely involve replacing the affected airbag components once parts become available.

Your car's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) warning light sometimes comes on and cuts engine power while you're driving at highway speeds, even in traffic or on bridges. This sudden power loss creates a dangerous situation where you lose acceleration when you need it most. The issue likely involves the VSC system sensors or the engine control module needing diagnosis and repair.

Water leaks into your Venza on the passenger side and back, especially during heavy rain. This can cause water damage inside your vehicle and may lead to electrical or mold problems if not addressed. The fix will likely involve locating and sealing the source of the leak, which could be around windows, door seals, or the weatherstripping.

Your fuel pump failed while you were driving 75 mph on the highway, causing your car to stall out suddenly. This is a serious safety issue that needs immediate attention. The fuel pump will likely need to be replaced to restore normal engine operation.

Your fuel pump suddenly failed without any warning lights or performance issues, causing your engine to shut down while driving at 65 mph on an expressway. This left you without engine power and the vehicle had to be towed. The dealer confirmed the fuel pump had an internal failure with no prior symptoms.

Your engine is consuming about one quart of oil every 1,000 miles or less, despite having no visible oil leaks and regular dealer maintenance throughout its 166,000-mile life. The dealer acknowledges this is excessive oil consumption for a modern engine but says they can't help with a factory repair. This level of oil use is unusual and suggests internal engine wear or a design issue.

Your engine is consuming about one quart of oil every 1,200 miles, requiring frequent top-ups between oil changes. While your dealer says this is normal, excessive oil consumption like this may indicate internal engine wear or a leak that should be inspected. A mechanic should perform a compression test or leak check to determine if there's an underlying issue with piston rings, valve seals, or gaskets.

Your car's electronic throttle system intermittently loses connection between the gas pedal and engine for 3-5 seconds without warning, causing the engine to stop responding to pedal input and the car to coast. After a few seconds, the connection restores itself and the engine responds normally again. This issue has occurred since you purchased the car in 2013 and is happening more frequently, creating a serious safety concern. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the electronic throttle control system, which may require replacing the throttle body, accelerator pedal sensor, or related wiring and connectors.

Your front brakes are producing smoke and behaving erratically, with the brake pedal sometimes feeling like it locks up while also failing to stop the car properly. This problem started the day you bought the used car and has returned after a month. You suspect an internal leak in the brake master cylinder may be causing these issues, and replacing the master cylinder may resolve the problem.

Your rear-view camera shows a distorted or unviewable image when you shift into reverse, making it difficult to see what's behind your vehicle. This is a concern when backing up since you can't reliably see obstacles or objects in your path. The fix will likely involve replacing the rear-view camera or its wiring connections.

Your sunroof leaks heavily when it rains and makes a cracking sound when you drive over bumps. The dealer has refused to repair it under warranty and is asking for $4,600 to fix the problem. The repair will likely involve replacing or resealing the sunroof assembly and its drainage system.

Your air bag warning light stays on when you start the vehicle, and the passenger seat belt warning light remains illuminated even when someone is sitting there. Both the driver and passenger side air bag and seat belt warning lights have recently started staying on continuously. This could indicate a problem with your air bag system or seat belt sensors that needs professional diagnosis.

Both of your front lower control arms were found to be cracked during a routine inspection at the dealer. These parts are essential for directing your steering input to the wheels. The cracks were confirmed by the dealer, though there were no warning signs or dashboard alerts before the inspection. Replacing the cracked control arms will be necessary to restore proper steering control.

When you accelerate your 2013 Venza, the transmission stutters or hesitates. You've noticed that the same engine is involved in a recall for the Toyota Camry, but your Venza isn't covered by that recall. The problem is getting worse over time. This may require diagnostics to check the transmission control system, engine sensors, or internal transmission components.

Your driver's side sun visor won't stay clipped up—when you tried to secure it, the clip mechanism failed and the visor dropped. The internal holding mechanism appears to be pulling the fabric away from under the mirror. The visor now won't go back up into its stored position. Fixing this will likely require replacing the visor assembly or the clip mechanism that holds it in place.