2009 Toyota Venza Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Venza.

< older2010
Complaints
227
per 10K Sold
41.7
US Sales
54,410
Crashes
24
Fires
5
Injuries
21
Fatalities
2
Recalls
8

Worst 2009 Toyota Venza Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#136 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:17,465 mi
Crash-related:9
#218 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:62,016 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#317 complaints

Seat-Related Issues

Avg mileage:168,574 mi
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Venza.

Unintended Acceleration
36
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
Avg Miles
17,465
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,016
Seat-Related Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
168,574
Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
53,718
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
61,391
Wipers & Visibility
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
68,758
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,250
Transmission / Drivetrain
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
32,231
Visibility
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,125
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
2,927
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
1,150
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Venza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Toyota Venza

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,031,805 vehicles.

21V257000Air Bags:side/window:curtain
~279,040 affected

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.

16V396000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~7,749 affected

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.

14V743000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~3,233 affected

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.

13V014000Seats · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~3,235 affected

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.

12V091000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~186,798 affected

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.

10V035000Equipment:other:labels
~271,417 affected

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.

10V036000Equipment:other:labels
~153,418 affected

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.

10V023000Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
~1,126,915 affected

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).

Other Toyota Venza Years

2009 Toyota Venza — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Toyota Venza reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2009 Toyota Venza has 227 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 36 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Toyota Venza?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (36 complaints, avg 17,465 mi); Electrical Faults (18 complaints, avg 62,016 mi); Seat-Related Issues (17 complaints, avg 168,574 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Venza?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,069 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Venza?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Toyota Venza include 24 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 21 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Toyota Venza have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,031,805 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Venza?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (unintended acceleration) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Venza reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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