2009 TOYOTA VENZA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

1) Brakes consistently 'softer' than normal. Sometimes require pumping the pedal to stop at all. Can be difficult to start car, brake pedal may not move at all to get starter button to light up. **Every time after sitting over night, when the car starts the pedal 'mushes' to the floor. It must be pumped to get any resistance. 2) Lack of reliable brakes poses real safety risk for everyone. I just had incident where I had difficulty stopping, nearly in accident. 3) One mechanic experienced lack of brakes when driving it, had to pump pedal to stop. 4) Multiple independent auto repair shops as well as local Toyota Dealer service have charged me thousands to repair, without success. 5) 6/27/23 warning light, 'check ABS', sensor unplugged by mechanic. Once master cylinder replaced, sensor reconnected. 6) I just called Toyota Corporate, was told they couldn't help, I'd have to pay to have it looked at again.

While driving, the computer seemed to short out, going blank on the cars display, and all guages failed. The car kpet driving, but I lost power steering and brakes. It was difficult to control the car while getting to the side of the road. Once there, I turned the car off to see if things would reset. It would not. The car would not recognize that I had my foot on the brake to start the car. I eventually needed a tow, which was a stupid problem to have. the car was driveable, should be driveable, its the computer telling the car theres a problem when there isnt one. Once at the car shop the car started fine but failed to start again the next day. Now its not doing that behavior and the shop cant figure out whats going wrong. There are no codes to diagnose. What a stupid problem to have, a completely drivable vehicle, but a glitchy computer making the car unreliable. I am stunned that a modern car wont allow you to drive to a car shop, it would not start...the shop was 1.5 miles away but yet I had to pay for a tow. There have been NO other problems, so is it a ground, a short, a faulty display? theres no way to diagnose this or at least the shop is having a very difficult time with it. Are there other owners that have had this issue?

Hello, I issue this complaint because my 2009 Venza interior started smelling like smoke. It went on for a bit thinking it may be something outside the vehicle. I then realized the smell was coming from the seat I was sitting on. I've read online about this problem and its seems this is a problem many owners of this vehicle have experienced. It seems to me this should be a safety hazard. Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly hydroplaned causing the driver to loose control of the steering and the vehicle crashed into a concrete median. The contact stated that during the crash the frontend of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. Police were called to the scene but no report was taken. The vehicle was later driven home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact indicated that prior to the crash the maintenance light had remained illuminated. The failure mileage was 72,800.

Crash

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly hydroplaned causing the driver to loose control of the steering and the vehicle crashed into a concrete median. The contact stated that during the crash the frontend of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. Police were called to the scene but no report was taken. The vehicle was later driven home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact indicated that prior to the crash the maintenance light had remained illuminated. The failure mileage was 72,800.

Crash

The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Venza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Water leaks and streams from along the top, driver’s side, just above the window where the felt meets and connects to the hard plastic structure labeled, “ABS Curtain Airbag”, Water, drips from the top ceiling just below the pull down mirror on the driver side. * see attached pictures I love my 2009 Venza. Please fix this problem for me. Thank you so much for any consideration given my request.

Dear NHTSA, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of significant concern regarding water leakage in my vehicle, which I believe has the potential to compromise the safety and functionality of the car's electronic systems. I would like to submit this report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address and rectify this issue promptly. During the rainy season, I have observed water leaks occurring on both sides of the front section of my vehicle. This water infiltration has raised serious concerns about the possibility of damage to the car's computer system, thereby posing a potential risk of car malfunction. The electronic components of modern vehicles, including vital control units and sensors, are susceptible to water damage. In the event of such damage, there is a heightened risk of malfunctions that could compromise the overall safety and performance of the vehicle. Furthermore, I have identified an additional water leakage issue through the panoramic roof at the backside of the car. This raises the likelihood of water seeping into the interior of the vehicle, potentially damaging interior components, electrical wiring, and compromising the structural integrity of the car. I am reaching out to the NHTSA with the intention of highlighting the severity of these issues and advocating for a comprehensive investigation into the water leakage concerns in my vehicle model. I believe that swift action is necessary to prevent any potential safety hazards that may arise from compromised electronic systems or structural damage due to water infiltration. In light of the safety implications associated with water damage to the vehicle's electronic components, I urge the NHTSA to initiate a thorough examination of this matter. Your prompt attention to this matter is crucial in ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers who may be affected by similar issues.

I was at a stop sign and I was on an incline and I let the brake go to press the gas and the car started to go backwards and i almost hit the car behind me and and press the gas to go forward. Now anytime I am on an incline during a stop and if I let go the brake the car goes backwards.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and opening and closing the front driver’s side door, the SRS warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was previously inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) and no failure was found. The contact stated that the vehicle had recently experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 92,000.

My 2009 Venza requires an entire roof seal replacement to stop leaking from all sides of the roof. I was quoted $1k. There should be a recall or some portion of this cost covered by Toyota.

The sunroof/moonroof leak every time it rains. The water leaks into the front and back of the car. This is damaging the upholstery and may be causing electrical or structural (rust) damage as well.

Rack and pinion sound and sterring crazy the brakes sound similar at horn train and suspensión rare sound fuse case problems for my ligths

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE STARTER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE TIMING CAMSHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF MANUFACTURERS RECALL NUMBER: 21TB01 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION TOYOTA HAYWARD (24773 MISSION BLVD, HAYWARD, CA 94544) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIRBAG SIGN ON THE DASH BOARD WITHOUT NO COLLUSION. IT COMES OFF AND ON AND THE IGNITION COIL B KEEPS COMING UP WHEN SCANNED AFTER FIXING.

THE HID LIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND GO OUT LEAVING YOU IN TOTAL DARKNESS. NOT THE BULBS BECAUSE WILL COME ON AGAIN WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR AND THEN WILL START FLICKERING AGAIN. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS REGARDING THIS. WILL DO IT WHILE IN MOTION OR PARKED. CONTINUES TO HAPPEN

WHEN IT RAINS I HAVING LEAKING ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF SUNROOF NEAR THE AIRBAGS IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS PLEASE HELP

JUST PURCHASED A 2009 VENZA AND THERE IS A RATTLE IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN HITTING SMALL PUMPS OR CRACKS IN ROAD OR TURNING. NO PICS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A INTERNAL ISSUE.

I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK, WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT CONTINUED TO BACK UP. NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I PUT IT IN IT STAYED IN REVERSE. I WAS BLOCKING A LANE AT THE MALL ,U MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUSH IT WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT HE COULDN'T BUDGE IT, IT WAS STILL IN REVERSE. I THINK IT HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, AND IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

THE STEERING COLUMN MAKE LOUD NOISE AND LIKE METAL CONTACT

AWD ENGAGED ALL THE TIME AND IT MIGHT LOCK AND IF THIS HAPPEN THE CAR WILL STOP .THIS ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. *TR

THE SEAT HEATERS IN THE VEHICLE DON'T WORK LIKE THEY SHOULD. SOMETIMES THERE IS A BURNING SMELL TO THEM. THE DRIVERS SIDE ONE WENT OUT COMPLETELY ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND WE HAD IT FIXED NOW THE PASSENGER ONE ISN'T WORKING AT ALL. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER GETS PRETTY HOT TOO AND HAS TO BE SHUT OFF.

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. USUALLY OCCURS IN THE "AUTO" SETTING BUT NOT ALWAYS. SOMETIMES AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS, THE LOW BEAM WILL START WORKING BUT NOT ALWAYS. NEXT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WORK AS DESIGNED BUT MAY GO OUT AGAIN. HAPPENS IN CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING...

THIS IS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE IN A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON AND ATTEMPT TO START. THERE IS NO FUEL GOING TO THE ENGINE, SO IT DOES NOT IGNITE, BUT I HAVE READ REPORTS IF VENZAS DOING THIS AND CATCHING FIRE. THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT ALSO ACTIVATES THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER AND WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEYS. THE FIRST TIME, LAST JANUARY, WE RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO FIND A DEAD BATTERY. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEN LEFT BOTH KEYS IN THE VEHICLE INBTHE ACC ON POSITION FOR 30 MINUTES, AND IT RECOGNIZED THE KEY. IN OCTOBER, I WAS OUT RUNNING AND RETURNED TO FIND THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THE FAN BLOWER RUNNING. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEYS. I RECONNECTED IT LATER WITH NO CHANGE, BIT THEN A FEW HOURS LATER IT WORKED FINE. TODAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019), WE RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH TO FIND THE STARTER CLICKING. THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER IS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND UNTAMPERED. IF THE BATTERY DOES NOT DOE, THIS COULD START A FIRE AND BURN DOWN MY HOUSE. I AM TAKING IT TO A DEALER, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT OCCURS WHILE PARKED, RANDOMLY. THOUGH IT SEEMS COLD WEATHER IS A FACTOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF WATER SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BREDEMANN TOYOTA (1301 W DEMPSTER ST, PARK RIDGE, IL 60068, (847) 655-1435) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HEADLINER DUE TO THE DRAIN TUBE NOT BEING INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,623.*JB

POOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION, WHICH I DETERMINED IS DUE TO CLOUDING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE LENS IN THE LOW BEAM LAMP SOCKET. (NOT THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF GREATER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY) I'VE READ SOME BLOGS AND ANECDOTALLY THIS APPEARS A RECURRING COMPLAINT WITH SOME TOYOTAS. IT IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT. THIS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. RECENTLY NOTICED THE NEWER MODELS HEADLAMP GLOBES APPEAR TO BE TRANSPARENT, SO FINALLY DECIDED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.DATE BELOW REFERRING TO DATE BEING REPORTED. NOT RELATED TO SPEED, BUT REPORTING 45 MPH TO COMPLETE ENTRY REQTS.

SUN VISORS HAVE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE VISOR TO JUST HANG DOWN CAUSING TEARING IN THE COVERING MATERIAL AND POOR VISIBILITY. IT CANNOT BE PUT BACK UP IN PLACE. THE INTERNAL MECHANISM IS FROZEN UP OR SOMETHING.

DRIVER SIDE SEAT NO HEAT. SPEED SENSOR FRONT RIGHT THERE LIGHT ON BREAK ABS AND VSC. REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKE NOISE

MY FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN WORKING SINCE LAST YEAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON TOYOTA VENZA 2009 FOR FRONT SEAT HEATING ISSUES UNTIL NOW. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT TO ANY DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY OR DISCONNECT THE HEATING ELEMENTS. I BELIEVE THIS MIGHT STILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE TO MY VEHICLE. WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE?

ABS, ESC, AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY DISPLAY UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES AFTER 1/4 MILE OF DRIVING, OTHER TIMES AFTER 25 MILES OF DRIVING. THEY DISPLAY ON SMOOTH OR ROUGH ROADS, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. WHILE I HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT OR SYSTEM FAIL, IT IS OF CONCERN BECAUSE I TRANSPORT MY DAUGHTER IN THIS VEHICLE. ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS AS WELL, I BELIEVE THIS IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE CAUSE OR THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHTS APPEAR EITHER. THEY APPEAR AT STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS, WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY, OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AM UNAWARE IF THE SYSTEMS THEMSELVES STOP WORKING UPON THE INDICATORS ACTIVATION OR NOT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARRANTS MORE INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLY A SAFETY RECALL AS ABS AND ESC ARE SAFETY FEATURES AND BRAKES ARE (FROM MY CIVILIAN PERSPECTIVE) A NECESSARY FUNCTION FOR THE VEHICLES SAFE OPERATION.

MY 2009 TOYOTA VENZA WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A WHINING, GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING. THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. THE NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE VERY QUICKLY. AFTER MECHANICAL INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SHOT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN FOR LONG DISTANCES BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL.THE FAILURE COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH SAFE DRIVABILITY ISSUES.

VEHICLE IS 9 YEARS OLD, BUT WITH ONLY 56,135 MILES AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. DRIVEN BY A SMALL FEMALE, WHICH IS RELEVANT. EXPERIENCED AN ACRID, BURNING SMELL WHICH CAUSED GAGGING AND COUGHING. NO SMOKE VISIBLE. DEALER FOUND PROBLEMS WITH HEATED SEATS, WIRING AND CONNECTORS. ENTIRE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACED AT COST OF $1130.30 FOR EACH SEAT. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT A SMALL FRAMED FEMALE'S WEIGHT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING WITHIN THE SEAT HEATERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE, DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. COULD EASILY CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FIRE.

AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF HAVING THE SRS LIGHT COME ON, IT'S NOW ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK AND STAYED ON. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THIS CANNOT BE RESOLVED AND ITS BECOMING A VERY EXPENSIVE SOLUTION.

ON 4/21/2018, I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH DOWN A MOUNTAIN FREEWAY IN ARIZONA FROM 5600 ELEVATION TO 2300 FT WHEN MY SUNROOF BLEW A HOLE OUT FROM THE CENTER OF THE MIDDLE LANE OF GLASS. THE WHOLE PANE CRACKED AND BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE. THANKFULLY THE SUNROOF AND PROTECTIVE COVER WERE CLOSED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A ROCK HAD SOMEHOW CAUSED THE BREAK UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER POINTED OUT THAT THE EDGES OF THE GLASS WERE PUSHING UPWARD INDICATING THE GLASS BLEW UPWARDS FROM THE CABIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON A CITY STREET AT 40 MPH IN COLORADO AT 6000 FT ELEVATION. TOYOTA NO LONGER MAKES THE VENZA. THE GLASS ON THE SUNROOF SHOULD BE MADE WITH A PROTECTIVE COATING TO KEEP IT FROM COMING APART IN A THOUSAND PIECES.