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2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid: headlights failing or too dim

12 of the 188 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
6%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

  • 2024
    3
  • 2023
    3
  • 2022
    8
  • 2021
    12

What owners say

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · RI

low‑beam headlights/headlight assembly issues. Moisture getting in, corrosion of prongs that connect to the headlight assembly. Dimming lights once assembly was replaced. Condensation in the headlights. Some bulbs work while others don't.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Lights · MN

I just purchased as 2021 Toyota Venza Limited. The headlight on low beam cast a odd shaped shadow. It is very distracting and often makes you think something is in front of the car. The issue dissappears when headlight are switched to high beam. This is very unsafe and deserves a recall.

Filed Jun 29, 2024 · Lights · TX

Head lights! Dangerous. They have blind-spots due to equipment blocking full light vision. This is my 2nd report to you. I have not gotten a response. I think this should be looked into immediately. I don't care to drive at night because of this blind-spot. Yes, I have reported this to Toyota and they could not do anything about it because they it from the new type of light bulbs. Please review, research and respond. Thank you.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Lights · NY

HELP! I just purchased a pre-owned Toyota Venza 2021 Limited. I like the car but I went out tonight for the first time at dark and used the head lamps. Something's wrong! The low beams don't shine far enough down the road, there is a distinct cut off between dark and light, like you are looking under a shade. Plus there are dark spots in the light near the edge, especially on the left side and they follow the headlights while you are driving. It is so distracting and dangerous. I swerved a couple of times because I thought there was an animal in the road. The stark cut off between light and dark is like a straight line and the shadows are ridiculous! How could this design have passed safety tests! This makes me sea sick and scared bc I can't see more than 15 - 20' ahead of me! Very very dangerous! Please recall this stupid design!

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Lights · CA

You just cannot see with these headlights. I cannot drive the car at night. No crashes but we live in the country with no added light and these light don’t work. This is a proble since we bought the car a year ago.

Filed Dec 1, 2022 · Lights · UT

Both left and right headlights on this car cast a dark "shadow" on the road in front of the car when driving at night. It only occurs when the headlights are on low beam, the high beam headlights are normal. Each headlight casts 2 shadows, for a total of 4, which can be seen about 100 feet in front of the car. They are very distracting at all times, but especially when the car is driven around a corner; it appears something is running across the road in front of the car. When I have pointed it out to passengers in the car, everyone remarks that it is very distracting and odd. I told the folks in the service department at the dealership I bought the car from about it, and they turned the headlights on and pulled the car up to a blank wall. I was with them and we could all clearly see the black shadows on the wall. It's like there are pieces of tape on the headlight lenses, but there isn't anything visible that would make these shadows. The service folks at the dealership just scratched their heads and said there was nothing they could do, and so the problem remains. This car is available for inspection at any time. There are no warning lamps or messages about the headlights. I bought this car new in May 2021 and noticed the problem right away. The dealership looked at it when we took it in for it's first oil change in February 2022, but they did not note it on the service receipt.

Filed Dec 26, 2021 · Lights · TX

Headlights: They have a shadow blocking full view. They are not shining equally on both sides. Instead the beam drops off the field of vision abruptly and you now faced with a blind spot of darkness. Basically, if something or someone came out in front of you, you would not see them until it was too late. For instance, driving in the neighbor alley without lighting, if a child, animal or ball came out in front of you, you would have no shadow or warning that you were about to come into contact with them. With other vehicles the light sprays off into the distance so you can see a wider field of vision. I find this extremely dangerous, unsafe for me and others! If I use my high beams the problem is solved but that is not a proper solution. I have spoken to Toyota dealer x2 and their answer is... That's the new LEDs. I have called Toyota Corp and they have registered my call. I truly believe this is a matter of urgency for the safety of human life.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Lights · ID

Low beam LED headlights have shadows and dark spots projecting on to the road. Very distracting and looks very similar to animals or people as they come into view in the dark. Have had to swerve several times only to realize it’s the shadows in the headlight units. I have read many other owners complaining of identical issue on Toyotanation Venza forum. Really need a fix for this. It is not an issue that appears over time, this is happening straight from the factory with 0 miles on the car.

Filed Jul 25, 2021 · Lights · IL

The headlights when they are in low beam have shadows. They are a distraction and sometimes it seems like something is in front. They decrease visibility. No No

Filed Jun 8, 2021 · Lights · IL

The venzas headlights, while on low beam only, have 2 shadows or blobs in the drivers view. It is very distracting especially while turning or cornering. It appears as if things are running out in front of the car. The issue is discussed by Venza owners on the Toyota nation blog. https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/shadows-in-2021-venza-xle-headlamps.1695536/

Filed May 3, 2021 · Lights · 3,000 miles · CA

Left and right headlights, in 'low beam' setting, have a visible 'dark shadow' that projects slightly off to the left of the field of view. When driving on dark freeways, you are constantly distracted, thinking there is a moving object approaching from the left. High beam setting does not have this situation.

Filed May 3, 2021 · Lights · 40 miles · NH

Just purchased new 2021 toyota venza hybrid. With low beam headlights on, have black "shadows" in top portion of illuminated field on both sides. Very distracting esp. On dark, curvy road. These shadows do not appear with high beams on...nothing on headlight lens to cause these black areas. Low beam shadows apparent when vehicle is stationary as well as moving. Previously had a 2019 toyota rav4 hybrid without this issue.

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lightsReported January 26, 2022 · 41,544 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 Venza Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear turn signal LED lights, allowing condensation to form on the circuit board, and causing a short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
A short circuit can cause dimming or failure of the rear turn signals and hazard lights, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both rear turn signal LED bulbs and replace the rear turn signal light assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 18, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available by June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB01/22TA01.

Recall number 22V033000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid?

12 of 188 owner complaints about the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid (6%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid?

There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid

Windshield crack 60Sudden acceleration 9No deployment 7

All model years of the Toyota Venza Hybrid

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