2011 Toyota Venza
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD 2.7/3.5, 4dr SUV FWD 2.7/3.5
- Engines
- 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 21 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 3,759–3,946 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Toyota Venza is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.7L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,946 lb (4dr SUV AWD 2.7/3.5).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 27 highway), 10% better than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Venza — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Venza →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD 2.7/3.5 | 189 in | 75.2 in | 63.4 in | 109.4 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 3,946 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD 2.7/3.5 | 189 in | 75.2 in | 63.4 in | 109.4 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 3,759 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venza | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +10% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Venza AWD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | +16% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Venza | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Venza AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | +11% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Toyota Venza.
Similar 2011 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Toyota Venza (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2011 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2011 Ford Explorer | 20 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 16 |
| 2011 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (6)
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain · Apr 13, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V257000 · 279,040 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 19, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 3,233 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 9, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast 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."
- Risk
- An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
- Fix
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast 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.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Fix
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Mar 7, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V091000 · 186,798 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 CAMRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2009, AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 VENZA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE CONTACT-TYPE STOP LAMP SWITCH, SILICONE GREASE MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE SWITCH WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTACT RESISTANCE. IF THIS OCCURS, WARNING LAMPS COULD ILLUMINATE, A NO START CONDITION COULD RESULT, THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT FROM THE ÂPARKÂ POSITION, OR THE VEHICLEÂS BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Risk
- INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jun 1, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V306000 · 50 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VENZA AND SIENNA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, THROUGH MARCH 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FRONT, RIGHT, DRIVE SHAFT MAY BREAK DUE TO INSUFFICIENT HEAT TREATMENT.
- Risk
- SHOULD THE DRIVE SHAFT BREAK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVE SHAFT, AND, IF THE DRIVE SHAFT IS IDENTIFIED AS ONE THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Not every 2011 Toyota Venza is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Toyota Venza buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 6 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Air Bags — 5 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 72,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Venza. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Venza years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Venza | 39 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 25 |
| 2023 Venza | 39 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 21 |
| 2022 Venza | 39 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 42 |
| 2021 Venza | 39 | 186.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 188 |
| 2015 Venza | 23 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2014 Venza | 23 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 25 |
| 2013 Venza | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 42 |
| 2012 Venza | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 20 |
| 2010 Venza | 24 | 189 in | Not rated | 9 | 43 |
| 2009 Venza | 24 | 189 in | Not rated | 8 | 76 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →