2009 Toyota VENZA: complaints, problems and recalls

FIRST HIGHWAY TRIP WITH A BRAND NEW 2009 TOYOTA VENZA AUTOMATIC 4 CYLINDER AWD. MAINTAINED SPEED LIMIT 100 KILOS/HR. WENT TO PASS A SEMI AND GAS PEDAL STUCK AT 120 KILOMETERS ON NARROW TWO WAY HIGHWAY WITH SOFT SHOULDERS POST MAJOR SNOW FALL LAST FRIDAY(NORMALLY NOT SPEED). WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLY FULL PRESSURE ON BRAKES.THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, STILL WITH FULL BRAKES BARELY WORKING WITH RACING ENGINE . ENGINE SMELLS BEGAN, ABLE TO WRESTLE CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269578 at NHTSA ↗

2009 TOYOTA VENZA (MANUFACTURED -OCT./08), 6 CYLINDER. WAS IN PARK,ABOUT TO GO IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF LEVEL DRIVEWAY, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE! FOOT BRAKE PEDAL FELT TENSE AND INFLEXIBLE. IE. WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN WITH APPLIED FOOT PRESSURE. FLASHING TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED OFF CAR THEN RESTARTED AND REPEATED EFFORT TO BACK OUT. SAME THING! AGAIN REPEAT STEPS, REPEATED SAME RESPONSE. TRIED TURNING OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND TURNING BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. NO IDEA WHAT DID IT, BUT FINALLY WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270260 at NHTSA ↗

WE OWN A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA 4 CYLINDER A/T FWD VEHICLE. ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THIS VEHICLE IS HILL-START ASSIST. ON 7/20/09 WHILE I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON AN UPHILL SLOPE, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND UPON RELEASING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, ALMOST COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE BEHIND US. ON 7/24/09 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WOLFCHASE TOYOTA IN MEMPHIS, TN. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD FOUR DIFFERENT STORIES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA U.S. HEADQUARTERS: THAT A: THE VENZA DID NOT HAVE THE HILL-ST…

Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278361 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS WERE MOVED UP TOO CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE HEAD RESTS MAKE THE OCCUPANTS HEADS BEND DOWN, WHICH MAKES DRIVING UNCOMFORTABLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY MOVED THE HEAD RESTS FOR SAFETY PURPOSE IN NEW VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS POSE AN ISSUE FOR THOSE WHO ARE TALLER THAN FIVE FEET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800. UPDATED 8/28/09 *CN UPDATED 09/09/09*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278446 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS OR DURING BRAKE ACTIVATION THE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES. USUALLY AFTER 30 SECONDS THE TRACTION CONTROL MODE IS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. HE THEN ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR HIS MODEL TYPE, THEY HAVE NOT DEVELOPED A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1300.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286375 at NHTSA ↗

THE SUNROOF OF THE NEWLY PURCHASED TOYOTA VENZA FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING--THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT... *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291184 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A SCHOOL ZONE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A TRAGEDY IN A SCHOOL ZONE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 300.

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292545 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. HE STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON; HOWEVER, HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUSHED IT INTO THE GARAGE FOR FEAR THAT THE FAILURE WOULD REOCCUR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LARGE LACERATION TO HIS HEAD. HE WAS REQUIRED TO GET STAPLES FOR HIS HEAD INJURY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE; YET, THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANU…

Owner-reported narrative. 230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292727 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-01-27 (January 27, 2010)

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).

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2012-03-07 (March 7, 2012)

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 VEHICLE’S BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

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.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2021-04-13 (April 13, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.