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Electrical systemPart report

2009 Toyota Venza Electrical system Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
12%of 173 total for the year
Median mileage
75,600miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Venza, 12% of the 173 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11283172, filed 2019-12, 154,000 miles

“The srs airbag warning light comes on for no reason. Sometimes it's while I'm driving, sometimes it's when I'm in park and get out of the car if it's still on. There's no rhyme or reason to it. I've taken it to a Toyota dealer and a lexus dealer and have had many of my airbag sensors replaced and nothing seems to work for very long. This is a huge problem since I'll be needing to go get my emissions done in the spring. It's also cost me $1000's in repair costs for a fix that doesn't work.”

NHTSA complaint #11062431, filed 2018-01, 60,000 miles

“While driving on the highway I noticed a rubber burning smell. I took the vehicle into the dealership the next day. I was told that the ecu related to my driver seat warmer had started to melt. The ecu was removed and the heating element for my driver seat was disconnected. Toyota will not cover replacement of this part stating that it is out of the 3 year warranty period. I pointed out that this seemed to me to be more of a potential recall issue related to a manufacture defect/faulty product. I was concerned about the potential for fire.”

NHTSA complaint #10930064, filed 2016-12, 81,000 miles

“On 1-22-13 we had the seat heater on the driver's side repaired. We observed that the cab would fill with the smell of electrical wires burning when we engaged the seat heater. It first occurred approximately 1 month prior, but at that time I could not determine what was causing the smell. An online check revealed that NHTSA had announced a recall for seats: front assembly;seat heater/cooler on november 19th, 2014, ref: 14v743000. I would request that our VIN be included on the recall list, so that we could be compensated for the repair. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #10682772, filed 2015-02, 22,327 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201413%
20131017%
20111525%
20101519%
20092012%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Venza

Vehicle speed control
36 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Venza

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology