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2009 Toyota Venza

The Verdict

60 Solid Pick

The 2009 Toyota Venza has 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (87 complaints) and electrical (32 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 60/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Venza, consider the 2023 model year which has 88% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 88% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Toyota Venza dashboard →

60

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

21V257000 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-si...

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.

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 custome...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20098723321019
20104171966
20112572160
2012121921
201323916101
2014192721
2015135621
20211201326173
2022212790
202382901
2024103810

By Category

Body
87
Electrical
32
Brakes
23
Transmission
19
Engine
10

By Severity

1
78
2
66
3
6
4
20
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

I just bought this car and discovered that the steering system is actually unsafe; the vehicle makes noises and vibrates at the steering column.

1mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

14mo ago
Electrical 2

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?

18mo ago
Body 1

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)

20mo ago
Engine 4

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.

20mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

23mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

28mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

31mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

34mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

41mo ago
Body 1

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.

52mo ago
Body 1

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.

53mo ago
Electrical 1

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

58mo ago
Engine 2

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.

62mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

63mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

63mo ago
Electrical 2

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

63mo ago
Electrical 2

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

64mo ago
Body 2

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.

65mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

68mo ago

171 total

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