ToyotaVenza2021Overview/toyota/venza/2021/base/

2021 Toyota Venza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Venza.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2021 Toyota Venza is defined by its Automatic (AV-S6) transmission and an efficient powertrain delivering an EPA-rated 40 city, 37 highway, and 39 combined mpg. Despite this efficiency, the vehicle carries notable reliability concerns, logging 181 total owner complaints and one recall, with the Visibility/Wiper category serving as the top complaint area. Most significantly, 2021 stands as the highest complaint year across the Venza's entire 2009-2024 history—starkly contrasting with the lowest year of 2023 and its 20 complaints—meaning researchers must view this specific model year as the most problematic point in the vehicle's lifespan.

Model year202420232022202120162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy40/37/39 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 345 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 345 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780177050
Spark plug9091901289
Battery2880025033
Front wiper blades8522242180 alt 8521242190
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1603125011
Cabin air filter871390R030 alt 8713958010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.6 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3847 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined40 / 37 / 39 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Venza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2021 Hybrid XLE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Hybrid XLE 2.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh7.10 sec15.40 sec219 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited 2.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh7.50 sec15.70 sec219 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited 2.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh7.60 sec15.80 sec219 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited 2.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh7.80 sec16.00 sec219 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 76.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantHOAT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Type80
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance345 cca

Service checks

RPM43.0-121.0 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.039" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
128.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°28 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 66.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°66 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 200,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza marks the first year of the second-generation model, and its federal record shows a clear spike in complaints (181) compared to the subsequent years of the same generation: 2022 (39), 2023 (20), and 2024 (22). While recalls remain consistent at one per year across the generation, the number of technical service bulletins (TSBs) declines from 96 in 2021 to 47 in 2024, suggesting that early issues were addressed over time. The top complaint areas for 2021 are Visibility/Wiper (66 complaints) and Exterior Lighting (13), with 14 crash complaints and no fire complaints reported. This pattern indicates that the 2021 model experienced more initial teething problems than later model years, though the data does not specify root causes. Given the significantly higher complaint volume and the downward trend in TSBs, the 2021 Venza is a less reliable choice than the 2022–2024 versions, so it is not a recommended buy if you prioritize fewer reported issues.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
181
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 181 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper66
Unknown Or Other28
Exterior Lighting13
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Structure6
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper6
Air Bags5
Visibility4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V239000Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:SoftwareReported 13/04/2022

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022… Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
24TE042025-08-07EngineThe specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that…
22TD042025-07-01Electrical System22TD04 Expired on June 30, 2025 A Toyota Genuine Accessory Dash Camera was installed in…
22TD042025-07-01Electrical System22TD04 Expired on June 30, 2025 A Toyota Genuine Accessory Dash Camera was installed in…
22TD042025-07-01Electrical System22TD04 Expired on June 30, 2025 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN…
24TE042025-02-20EngineAlthough the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Venza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Venza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Venza get?

EPA figures are 40 city / 37 highway / 39 combined mpg.