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2023 Toyota Venza Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ryan Davis

Complaint Summary

The 2023 Toyota Venza has 24 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking and exterior lighting.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.7/ 10

Based on 24 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

4 16.7%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 12.5%

SERVICE BRAKES

2 8.3%

AIR BAGS

2 8.3%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 8.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, accounting for 16.7% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 12 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2023 Toyota Venza has 24 owner complaints in this dataset. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING is the most common complaint category, representing about 17% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2023 Toyota Venza are FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (4), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3), SERVICE BRAKES (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 6 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2023 Toyota Venza?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2022 Venza complaints2024 Venza complaints2015 Venza complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 12 of 12 systems

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

4 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Complete brake failure when exiting freeway resulted in crashing into a concrete barrier and guardrail at a high rate of speed before impacting another vehicle. Vehicle has an electronic emergency brake that could not be engaged. Vehicle could not be put in reverse or park to slow impact. There were three prior issues with the vehicle regarding brakes and acceleration. The car had less than 250 miles on it. Issue was reported to the dealer from where it was purchased after the collision. Vehicle is likely totaled pending an assessment by the insurance company. As the driver I had the choice of a direct impact with a string of cars stopped at the end of the off-ramp at a high rate of speed or hitting the barrier wall to slow my momentum. I chose the barrier wall to reduce the risk of the collision upon others.

1/28/2023

My wife owns this Toyota Venza. On October 9, 2024, I took the vehicle to the dealership for maintenance and all regular checkups passed. No sensor lights nor problem lights were on during the incident. On October 16, 2024 my wife was parking in a spot to pick up the mail in our community's mailbox. She pressed the brake and tried to park the vehicle when suddenly the motor accelerated over the parking lines on its own to a small hill continuously. My wife tried to press the brake multiple times with no success and the motor continued accelerating on its own. My wife turned the steering wheel to the right to avoid running into the hill or flipping the vehicle over. Once turned, the vehicle continued accelerating crossing over a neighborhood street and finally crashing into a neighbor's wall. Once it crashed the wall, all air bags were deployed and the vehicle rebounded back into the street where my wife was eventually able to shift it into parking. Once parked, the vehicle wouldn't start or move at all. Thankfully, there were no fatalities but my wife crashed into a wall and had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for the bruises in her legs and body from the air bag impact. Additionally, our community is gated and thankfully there is little traffic but this problem in a main road or highway could easily injure or kill people. We reported the accident to the local police and filed a report with them. We also notified insurance of the crash and have started a repair claim but the vehicle has not been inspected for any damages or problems. We have video recording of the incident which we will use for insurance and can provide as part of this complaint.

10/18/2024

2 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

When using low beam lights there are two dark spots being projected

8/2/2023

When the headlights are on Low, not High beam, there is a dark horizontal round area and vertical streak (shadow) in the illuminated area in front of the vehicle. The dark area looks like an a large dark basket ball. It is only the left headlight. This shadow area prevents full illumination of the roadway on the left side of the of the vehicle. This also is a distraction and causes the driver's eyes to drift to the dark areas and further degrades nighttime driving safety. Per Toyota Forum, this problem is across the board for the Toyota vehicles, not just mine. When the lights are on Low and you hold a paper in front of the left light, the dark streak is easily seen.

10/15/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Complete brake failure when exiting freeway resulted in crashing into a concrete barrier and guardrail at a high rate of speed before impacting another vehicle. Vehicle has an electronic emergency brake that could not be engaged. Vehicle could not be put in reverse or park to slow impact. There were three prior issues with the vehicle regarding brakes and acceleration. The car had less than 250 miles on it. Issue was reported to the dealer from where it was purchased after the collision. Vehicle is likely totaled pending an assessment by the insurance company. As the driver I had the choice of a direct impact with a string of cars stopped at the end of the off-ramp at a high rate of speed or hitting the barrier wall to slow my momentum. I chose the barrier wall to reduce the risk of the collision upon others.

1/28/2023

My wife owns this Toyota Venza. On October 9, 2024, I took the vehicle to the dealership for maintenance and all regular checkups passed. No sensor lights nor problem lights were on during the incident. On October 16, 2024 my wife was parking in a spot to pick up the mail in our community's mailbox. She pressed the brake and tried to park the vehicle when suddenly the motor accelerated over the parking lines on its own to a small hill continuously. My wife tried to press the brake multiple times with no success and the motor continued accelerating on its own. My wife turned the steering wheel to the right to avoid running into the hill or flipping the vehicle over. Once turned, the vehicle continued accelerating crossing over a neighborhood street and finally crashing into a neighbor's wall. Once it crashed the wall, all air bags were deployed and the vehicle rebounded back into the street where my wife was eventually able to shift it into parking. Once parked, the vehicle wouldn't start or move at all. Thankfully, there were no fatalities but my wife crashed into a wall and had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for the bruises in her legs and body from the air bag impact. Additionally, our community is gated and thankfully there is little traffic but this problem in a main road or highway could easily injure or kill people. We reported the accident to the local police and filed a report with them. We also notified insurance of the crash and have started a repair claim but the vehicle has not been inspected for any damages or problems. We have video recording of the incident which we will use for insurance and can provide as part of this complaint.

10/18/2024

AIR BAGS

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bags deployed

9/10/2023

My name is [XXX] . I own a 2023 Toyota Venza Limited with about 36,000 miles. On [XXX], while driving, we heard a loud popping sound, and the passenger airbag indicator light came on with a red/orange warning symbol. There was no accident — this appears to be a defective or faulty airbag mechanism. This is a serious safety issue. Please log this report and provide a case number. I can be reached at [XXX] and will also follow up with my local dealer, Team Toyota in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

9/1/2025

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bags deployed

9/10/2023

Purchased used from Metro Ford on 12-31-2024 with 16,689 miles. Was out of town until March 1 so I did not insure or drive the car until March. I had only driven it a few times before the accident happened. At first I started noticing that the car did not respond immediately when the gas pedal was pressed. I thought it was me being unfamiliar with how the new car worked. On 3-26-2025 I had pulled into a parking space in front of a building and all of a sudden the car surged forward unexpectedly even without me pressing the pedal leading to me crashing through the glass windows into the building. No warning lights were on. The car had two known issue with Unintended Acceleration and throttle delay yet no recall has been issued. My safety and the safety of 15 others was a risk and the crash did result in injuries. The building was full of students and clients and they were hurt along with major property damage to the building. State Farm declared the car was a total loss due to all the damage to my car and we have no idea the amount of damage done to the building. The business had to be closed for repairs and they are still closed. I have filed a product liability claim with Toyota case number 250407002330. Toyota will get with State Farm to see if an inspection can be made of the car as I have transferred ownership to State Farm as of April 4, 2025. The car was picked up by State Farm on April 5, 2025. I just discovered the known issue with the car this weekend so I do not think an inspection was done other than the body shop estimate.

4/7/2025

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Head on collision driving 40-45 MPH - a Mercedes pulled out in front of me and I slammed into their vehicle. My air bags did not deploy nor was there auto braking system. The crash indicator also did not call the police. My car is totaled. There is no way this vehicle is not part of your recent recalls. I was injured by the seat belt and have chest pain- this could have been avoided had my air bags deployed

9/10/2023

Purchased used from Metro Ford on 12-31-2024 with 16,689 miles. Was out of town until March 1 so I did not insure or drive the car until March. I had only driven it a few times before the accident happened. At first I started noticing that the car did not respond immediately when the gas pedal was pressed. I thought it was me being unfamiliar with how the new car worked. On 3-26-2025 I had pulled into a parking space in front of a building and all of a sudden the car surged forward unexpectedly even without me pressing the pedal leading to me crashing through the glass windows into the building. No warning lights were on. The car had two known issue with Unintended Acceleration and throttle delay yet no recall has been issued. My safety and the safety of 15 others was a risk and the crash did result in injuries. The building was full of students and clients and they were hurt along with major property damage to the building. State Farm declared the car was a total loss due to all the damage to my car and we have no idea the amount of damage done to the building. The business had to be closed for repairs and they are still closed. I have filed a product liability claim with Toyota case number 250407002330. Toyota will get with State Farm to see if an inspection can be made of the car as I have transferred ownership to State Farm as of April 4, 2025. The car was picked up by State Farm on April 5, 2025. I just discovered the known issue with the car this weekend so I do not think an inspection was done other than the body shop estimate.

4/7/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

While driving on the interstate the volume on the radio went to full max volume, blasting in our ears, scaring us and in a frantic mode tried to shut it off with no avail almost could have caused an accident. None of the controls on the panel or steering wheel would turn it off. Finally after numerous attempts in a frantic manner was able to power off the audio. Controls wouldn’t respond until I did a reboot the next day.

10/23/2023

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated without warning as the accelerator pedal was released. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle resumed normal operation after the failure. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was initially informed that the event data recorder did not record the accident. The contact was later informed that the vehicle control history showed that the vehicle's brake pedal was released and that the accelerator pedal was applied before the accident, the contact disputed the finding. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,600.

4/10/2024

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Traveling interstate 64 Hampton Virginia with 2023 Venza (9/27/2024) a stone hit the windshield and immediately spidered across the window.

9/30/2024

Purchased a 2023 Toyota Venza in November of 2023 and had to replace the windshield less than a year later in October 2024. Now in March of 2025 the windshield is cracked again.

3/13/2025

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My wife owns this Toyota Venza. On October 9, 2024, I took the vehicle to the dealership for maintenance and all regular checkups passed. No sensor lights nor problem lights were on during the incident. On October 16, 2024 my wife was parking in a spot to pick up the mail in our community's mailbox. She pressed the brake and tried to park the vehicle when suddenly the motor accelerated over the parking lines on its own to a small hill continuously. My wife tried to press the brake multiple times with no success and the motor continued accelerating on its own. My wife turned the steering wheel to the right to avoid running into the hill or flipping the vehicle over. Once turned, the vehicle continued accelerating crossing over a neighborhood street and finally crashing into a neighbor's wall. Once it crashed the wall, all air bags were deployed and the vehicle rebounded back into the street where my wife was eventually able to shift it into parking. Once parked, the vehicle wouldn't start or move at all. Thankfully, there were no fatalities but my wife crashed into a wall and had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for the bruises in her legs and body from the air bag impact. Additionally, our community is gated and thankfully there is little traffic but this problem in a main road or highway could easily injure or kill people. We reported the accident to the local police and filed a report with them. We also notified insurance of the crash and have started a repair claim but the vehicle has not been inspected for any damages or problems. We have video recording of the incident which we will use for insurance and can provide as part of this complaint.

10/18/2024

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the rear of another parked vehicle. No injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. A manufacturer's investigator came to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the Black Box information did not indicate that a vehicle malfunction had occurred during the crash. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced a second similar failure while driving 5 MPH, the accelerator pedal erroneously extended to the floor, and the vehicle began to unintentionally accelerate. The contact was able to press the brake pedal and safely stop the vehicle. The cause of the failures was not determined. The failure mileage was 15,000.

9/15/2025

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while his wife was driving out of the garage at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifted into drive (D); however, his wife's foot slipped off the brake pedal and the vehicle crashed into their residence. The contact stated that the forward collision sensing system failed to operate. No injury was sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and dispatched a third-party engineer to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 86.

4/25/2023

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to park the vehicle and with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the driver collided with another parked vehicle ahead, lightly damaging the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 1,000.

4/25/2024

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Vehicle loses center display repeatedly Screen and system keep rebooting while driving Dealer refused to fix saying “no recall” Problem reduces visibility of backup camera and safety information

11/15/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota Venza?

The most reported complaint category for the 2023 Toyota Venza is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, with 4 owner reports. That is about 17% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES.

Are complaints about the 2023 Toyota Venza a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 6 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2023 Toyota Venza?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2023 Toyota Venza severe?

6 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Toyota Venza: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
24
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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