Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2009 Toyota Venza — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2015 to Dec 2014
The most reported issue is vehicle speed control problems (22 complaints). 18 complaints involved crashes. 3 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (8)
NHTSA Campaign: 21V257000
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V743000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V396000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
NHTSA Campaign: 12V091000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 PARK POSITION, OR THE VEHICLES 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V014000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V035000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V023000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 171)
Air Bags →3 issues
You received a recall notice about your 2009 Toyota Venza's airbags (NHTSA Campaign 21V257000) and want to be removed from the recall mailing list. You haven't contacted the dealer or Toyota about this issue yet. Getting your airbags inspected and repaired if needed is important for your safety in a crash.
Parts you may need:
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Your Venza's airbag warning light (SRS light) turned on and stayed on after you opened and closed the driver's side door. This happened even though your vehicle was previously inspected for a known airbag recall and passed. The underlying cause hasn't been identified yet, and the dealer hasn't been able to help resolve it.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2009 Toyota Venza is subject to recall 21TB01 for airbags, but the required replacement part has been unavailable for an unreasonable amount of time. You contacted AutoNation Toyota Hayward to schedule the repair, but they confirmed the part is not in stock. The fix will require Toyota to supply and install the recalled airbag component once it becomes available.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags,unknown Or Other →3 issues
Water is leaking into your vehicle from the top of the driver's side, where the soft headliner material meets the hard plastic structure that houses the curtain airbag. You're noticing water dripping from the ceiling near the pull-down mirror on the driver's side. This water intrusion could potentially damage the airbag system or electrical components and should be inspected and sealed as soon as possible.
Parts you may need:
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Your airbag warning light on the dashboard keeps turning on and off even though you haven't been in a collision. When you have the car scanned, it repeatedly shows an ignition coil B error code even after you've had it repaired. This suggests there may be an electrical issue causing false airbag warnings.
Parts you may need:
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Your sunroof leaks water onto both the right and left sides near the airbags whenever it rains. This happens consistently during wet weather. The repair will likely involve inspecting and resealing the sunroof drain channels or replacing damaged weatherstripping around the sunroof frame.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,service Brakes →2 issues
Your vehicle became stuck in reverse gear and wouldn't shift out, even when you selected Drive or Neutral. The brakes appeared to lock up when you put it in reverse, and the car continued moving backward regardless of what gear you selected. Your husband couldn't move the vehicle by hand while it was in Neutral, indicating the transmission was still engaged in reverse. This likely involves a transmission control issue or internal transmission failure that will require professional diagnosis and possible transmission repair or replacement.
Parts you may need:
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When you stop on an incline and release the brake pedal, your car rolls backward instead of staying in place. This has happened multiple times when stopped on hills, creating a safety concern since you nearly hit another vehicle. The issue likely involves your transmission's hill-hold feature or brake system not engaging properly on slopes. A mechanic will need to inspect your transmission control system and brake components to diagnose why the car isn't staying in place when stopped uphill.
Parts you may need:
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Steering →2 issues
Your steering column makes a rattling noise when you hit small bumps or cracks in the road, or when you turn the steering wheel. The noise appears to come from inside the steering column rather than from a loose external part. A mechanic will need to inspect the internal components of the steering column to identify and fix the source of the rattle.
Parts you may need:
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Your steering column is making loud noise that sounds like metal parts are contacting each other. This noise occurs when you use the steering wheel. The issue may require inspection and repair of the steering column assembly components.
Parts you may need:
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Service Brakes →1 issue
Your brake pedal feels soft and may need to be pumped repeatedly to get stopping power, especially after the car sits overnight. When you first start the car, the pedal may go all the way to the floor with no resistance until you pump it several times. You've had a close call where you nearly couldn't stop the car, creating a real safety risk. Multiple repair shops and Toyota dealers have tried and failed to fix this issue even after replacing the master cylinder and addressing an ABS sensor warning light.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →1 issue
Your car's dashboard display went blank while driving, and all gauges stopped working. You also lost power steering and power brakes, making the car difficult to control until you could pull over safely. After turning the car off, it wouldn't restart and wouldn't recognize when your foot was on the brake pedal. The problem may be intermittent — it started fine at the shop once but failed to start again the next day, and now it's not happening consistently, making diagnosis difficult. The shop found no error codes to help identify the issue. This could involve checking the electrical ground connections, looking for a short circuit, or diagnosing a faulty body control module or display unit.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags,engine →1 issue
While driving at 65 MPH, your vehicle hydroplaned and you lost steering control, causing it to crash into a concrete median. The front end was damaged, but the airbags did not deploy despite the impact. You also noted that your maintenance light had been on before the crash. The airbag system may need diagnostic testing to determine why the bags didn't activate during the collision.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,seats,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your 2009 Venza is leaking water on both sides of the front and through the panoramic roof, especially during rainy weather. Water is getting inside your vehicle and could damage the electrical systems, computer, and wiring. The repairs will likely involve identifying and sealing the leak sources, then inspecting electrical components for water damage.
Parts you may need:
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Structure →1 issue
Your sunroof leaks water into the front and back of your car whenever it rains, damaging the upholstery and potentially causing electrical problems or rust damage to the vehicle's structure. This is a persistent issue that occurs with each rainstorm. Fixing this will likely require inspecting and resealing the sunroof drain system or replacing damaged weatherstripping around the sunroof frame.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,suspension,electrical System →1 issue
Your steering rack and pinion is making noise and your steering feels unstable. Your brakes are also making similar sounds, and your suspension is producing unusual noises. Additionally, you're experiencing electrical issues with your lights that may be related to fuse problems.
Parts you may need:
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Engine →1 issue
When you start your Venza, you hear a loud rattling noise from the engine area, but no warning lights come on. The dealer diagnosed a faulty timing camshaft as the cause. Replacing the timing camshaft should resolve the noise.
Parts you may need:
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your HID headlights flicker and completely cut out, leaving you driving in darkness. The bulbs themselves aren't the issue since the lights come back on when you restart the car, then start flickering again. This problem happens whether you're driving or parked and keeps recurring. The issue likely involves the HID ballast or wiring system that powers the lights.
Parts you may need:
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Seats →1 issue
Your Venza's driver seat is emitting a smoke-like smell coming from inside the seat cushion itself. You've noticed this is a recurring problem reported by other Venza owners. Fixing this issue may require seat cushion replacement or inspection of the seat's internal padding and foam materials.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your 2009 Venza is leaking water from all sides of the roof. A complete roof seal replacement has been quoted at around $1,000 to fix the problem. You may want to contact Toyota about warranty coverage or a potential recall.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Toyota Venza years: