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Toyota VenzaModel year report

2009 Toyota Venza Problems

Compared with other Toyota Venza years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 4.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
173filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 140 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.7L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Toyota Venza (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Venza most often describe sudden or unintended acceleration and surging, many reported in the first few thousand miles, sometimes with floor mats involved and sometimes not. A second cluster concerns warning lights and pricey sensor or heater failures later in life: ABS/VSC lamp trios traced to wheel speed sensors, and heated seat wiring that smells of burning.

  1. Vehicle speed control

    Unintended acceleration or surging

    • 48 complaints (28%)
    • median 6,000 mi at 1.4 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2020

    Owners describe the car accelerating on its own, hesitating then lunging forward, or continuing to speed up after the pedal is released. Some report having to stand on the brake or shift to neutral to stop it; a few mention the floor mat trapping the pedal, while others say mats were properly anchored. Dealers variously said nothing was found, described the pedal behavior as normal, or pointed to the floor mat campaign. Mostly reported under about 17,000 miles, often during merging, passing or low-speed maneuvering.

    Recall 10V023000

    What to check: Confirm the accelerator pedal and floor mat recalls were performed, and make sure only the correct, properly clipped floor mats are fitted. On a test drive, check for hesitation or a surge when pulling away from a stop.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was pulling up to a drive thru window at a fast food restaurant when the vehicle just surged forward I tried to engage the brakes . I hit and damaged two cars in the parking lot before I could bring it to a stop. This was the second time the car had done this but the other time no other cars was involved .”

    NHTSA complaint #10668877, filed 2014-12, 24,630 miles

    “Driving my 2009 Toyota Venza, I accelerated to pass another car, then let off on the gas to slow down somewhat. But the car did not slow down. I pressed the brakes to force the car to slow down and -- after maybe 10 seconds of constantly pressing the brake pedal while the car tried to accelerate -- it did finally slow down and came back under my control. This one incident of unintended acceleration has not recurred.”

    NHTSA complaint #10316203, filed 2010-03, 1,880 miles
  2. Brakes

    ABS, VSC and brake warning lights together

    • 19 complaints (11%)
    • median 38,871 mi at 5.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2025

    Complaints describe the ABS, VSC, brake and slip warning lights illuminating together, sometimes after rain or a hard stop. Several owners were told a wheel speed sensor or its harness was at fault, with the ABS and stability systems effectively out of action until repaired. Others report shuddering or reduced braking while the lights were on, and some say the dealer could not offer a lasting remedy. Typically reported between roughly 25,000 and 80,000 miles, sometimes after wet weather.

    Recall 12V091000

    What to check: Ask whether any wheel speed sensors or harnesses have been replaced, and scan for stored ABS codes. Check that no warning lamps stay lit after start-up or after a short drive in wet conditions.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving in city ABS vsc brake warning lights came on with message to immediately take to dealer. Turned out to be speed sensor on right rear wheel. I have removed sensor and while there is no physical damage it appears to be an open circuit. Clearly a defect in product since the car is garaged and I live in a high desert environment. Effectively the ABS and vsc systems are disabled.”

    NHTSA complaint #10993419, filed 2017-06, 43,743 miles

    “Intermittant problem common to many thousands or more of Toyota vehicles. >this problem is of most urgency because we do not know if we can safely drive the car. Brakes>#1 safety concern. >the exact problem is that 3 instrument panel indicator symbols light, all 3 at the same time. >the indicator symbols are 1.) the brake (emergency brake light), 2.) the ABS (anti-lock brake system warning light) and 3.) the slip indicator (icon light). …”

    NHTSA complaint #11061474, filed 2018-01, 25,000 miles
  3. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Driver-side sun visor drops and will not stay up

    • 23 complaints (13%)
    • median 63,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (18 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2019

    Owners report the driver-side visor sagging, then dropping into the line of sight and eventually hanging loose as the internal bracket fails. Some had a visor replaced under warranty only to have it fail again, and dealers generally quoted a replacement part and labor rather than offering a fix. Complaints note the same problem is widely reported on other Toyota models. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, with some failures within the first couple of years.

    What to check: Push the driver's visor up and down through its range and feel the pivot for looseness or grinding; a visor that drifts down on its own is already failing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My sun visor on the driver side would not stay in place and when I applied a little pressure the visor broke around the hole where it connects to the roof piece. I was driving. Then it would hang in my face and I could not see well. At stop signs I was trying to remove it but the fabric around it prevented that. I was finally able to remove it and currently have no visor on the driver side now.”

    NHTSA complaint #10904245, filed 2016-09, 85,000 miles

    “Drivers sun visor drops down blocking vision. It started out with a slight sagging down, but today while in dallas, tx traffic it dropped down and would not stay up on it's own. Very dangerous! I had to literally tear visor down to safely be able to continue my trip.”

    NHTSA complaint #10682401, filed 2015-02, 83,000 miles
  4. Seats

    Heated seat burning smell and wiring damage

    • 16 complaints (9%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners describe a strong burning or electrical smell when a seat heater is switched on, sometimes with smoke under the seat, and in some cases the heater stops working altogether. Dealers diagnosed damaged heater elements, wiring or connectors and quoted replacement of the whole seat heating system. Some owners note their vehicle was not covered by the seat heater recalls despite similar symptoms. Reported from about 39,000 to 146,000 miles, at any time of year once the heater is used.

    Recall 14V743000Recall 16V396000Recall 13V014000

    What to check: Ask whether the seat heater recall work was done, then switch each heated seat on during the test drive and check for a burning smell, uneven heat or a heater that does not warm at all.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11298062, filed 2020-01, 146,000 miles

    “When driver-side seat warmer is activated there is a strong wire burning smell that fills the vehicle. I noticed that several other models, around the same year, were recalled for the same issue. It appears the 2009 Venza also has the same issue and should be included in the recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10992613, filed 2017-06, 40,000 miles
  5. Other or unknown

    Rattle or noise from the steering column

    • 14 complaints (8%)
    • median 69,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2026

    Complaints describe a rattle or clunk from the steering column over small bumps, cracks or when turning, and one owner reported the car pulling to one side. Dealers diagnosed a faulty steering column or its joint and quoted replacement in some cases, while others were told the behavior followed the road crown. A few owners had the noise worsen over time. Mostly reported between about 17,000 and 95,000 miles.

    What to check: Drive over broken pavement and turn the wheel slowly while listening for clicking or rattling from the column, and check that the car tracks straight on a level road.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Toyota Venza 2009 constantly pulls to the left. When driving on a bumpy road it will drift to either side and when I step on the brakes, it drifts as well. Dealerships say it's following crown of the road, but it doesn't-it veers off the road. When taking a right turn, the steering is stiff and turns more to the left than right. I have visited 3 dealerships with no resolution. Struggling to keep car on the road and was very dangerous during a recent snow storm between avoiding to hit other cars and veering off the road. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10435607, filed 2011-11, 17,000 miles

    “Steering column makes noise on turns . My mechanic checked out nd it is coming from steering column u joint. I think it is safety issue that Toyota should cover.”

    NHTSA complaint #11035853, filed 2017-10, 95,002 miles

Buying note. Check that the accelerator pedal, brake light switch and seat heater recalls have all been completed, and scan the car for ABS and SRS codes before purchase. Budget for possible wheel speed sensor, heated seat and sun visor repairs on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 173 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota Venza. 140 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 18 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 16 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 207 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 6 Toyota Venza model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (5), Engine (4), Exterior lighting (4), Wheels (4), Electronic stability control (3), Seat belts (3), Equipment (2), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle accelerated without my foot on accelerator. We have owned the car for a year, and it only happened once. I pushed the accelerator all the way down, then when I released my foot, it continued to accelerate. I put the car in neutral, and hit the accelerator pedal several times, which loosened the pedal, and the car ran normally from that point forward.”

NHTSA complaint #10323674, filed 2010-04, 20,000 miles

Brakes: “While trying to brake, my car accelerated and I almost hit the cars infront of me. I was getting off the highway to the rotary and there was cars stopped in front of me and I tried to brake and the car accelerated instead.”

NHTSA complaint #10895423, filed 2016-08, 32,700 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The sun visor on the driver side suddenly dropped down while I was driving home. Now it just hangs down in my face unless I rotate it to the side window. No visor when driving into the sun and a visor to my left blocking my vision. Not safe.”

NHTSA complaint #10920183, filed 2016-10, 103,800 miles

Electrical system: “While at grocery store, engaged rear power lift gate on key fob. Lift gate opened and started loading groceries into rear of vehicle. Without warning the lift gate came down hitting me in the head. There was so much pressure that it knocked to my knees. The head strike caused a contusion and raised lump on my head and minor conclusive symptoms.”

NHTSA complaint #10672042, filed 2015-01, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

56% of the 140 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,441 and 73,000 miles.

27%0–1015%10–2514%25–5019%50–7514%75–1009%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (140 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

43’11’14’17’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota Venza. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Venza · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 14.3% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Toyota Venza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Venza FWD2.7L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212924$2,800
Venza FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192622$3,050
Venza AWD2.7L 4-cyl6-speed automatic202823$2,900
Venza AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182521$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2009 Toyota Venza → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 207 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 207 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Venza

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20152823,50015236 · FewerFalling
2014318,00015239 · FewerRising
20135936,895452354 · TypicalFalling
20122547,00044235 · FewerFalling
20115945,300642350 · TypicalRising
20107937,0009—2475 · MoreFalling
200917340,0008—24100 · MoreFalling

All Toyota Venza model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Venza?

Owners of the 2009 Venza most often describe sudden or unintended acceleration and surging, many reported in the first few thousand miles, sometimes with floor mats involved and sometimes not. The issues reported most often: Unintended acceleration or surging; ABS, VSC and brake warning lights together; Driver-side sun visor drops and will not stay up.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Toyota Venza have?

NHTSA recorded 173 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota Venza as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Toyota Venza is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 36 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes with 27.

Has the 2009 Toyota Venza been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota Venza get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Venza (Venza, 2.7L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Toyota Venza reported?

Among the 140 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 7,441 and 73,000 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.