2009 Toyota Venza Electrical Problems

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?

NHTSA ID

11638196

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11559400

Incident

Dec 6, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11434026

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

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. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEN LEFT BOTH KEYS IN THE VEHICLE INBTHE ACC ON POSITION FOR 30 MINUTES, AND IT RECOGNIZED THE KEY. IN OCTOBER, I WAS OUT RUNNING AND RETURNED TO FIND THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THE FAN BLOWER RUNNING. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEYS. I RECONNECTED IT LATER WITH NO CHANGE, BIT THEN A FEW HOURS LATER IT WORKED FINE. TODAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019), WE RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH TO FIND THE STARTER CLICKING. THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER IS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND UNTAMPERED. IF THE BATTERY DOES NOT DOE, THIS COULD START A FIRE AND BURN DOWN MY HOUSE. I AM TAKING IT TO A DEALER, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT OCCURS WHILE PARKED, RANDOMLY. THOUGH IT SEEMS COLD WEATHER IS A FACTOR.

NHTSA ID

11283172

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

FAULTY WIRING OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUSING A BURNING SMELL AND THE POTENTIAL FOR HARM TO THE OCCUPANT.

NHTSA ID

11088399

Incident

Apr 9, 2018

Mileage

63,000 mi

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 ID

11062431

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER IN THE LEATHER SEAT WORKED FINE UNTIL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. NOW WHEN IT IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION THERE IS A SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRING. SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED OFF, THEN ON AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES TO TEST IT. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONERY OR ON THE ROAD, JUST ANY TIME THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON. NOW THE SEAT HEATER IS OFF AND WILL NOT BE TURNED ON BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT UNDER THE CURRENT SEAT HEATER RECALLS. IT APPEARS FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, THERE ARE MANY OTHER CARS OF THIS MAKE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT UNDER THE CURRENT RECALLS. THERE SHOULD BE MORE RECALLS, AND THERE SHOULD BE A REPAIR, NOT JUST A DISCONNECT THE WIRING. PEOPLE PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THE COMFORT FEATURES AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.

NHTSA ID

11045517

Incident

Feb 21, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10930064

Incident

Apr 5, 2016

Mileage

81,000 mi

PURCHASED 3 WKS AGO; WHEN REAR HATCH IS OPENED AND CLOSED THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

10926297

Incident

Oct 27, 2016

Mileage

82,317 mi

ON JULY 4, 2016, OUR TOYOTA VENZA, WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF 210 SW 29TH AVENUE, ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THE SOLENOID MECHANISM CONNECTED THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER ON ITS OWN. THE COG OF THE STARTER WAS TRYING TO SPIN THE FLYWHEEL. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH ELECTRICAL SMOKE. OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE STREET WERE WALKING THEIR DOG AND HEARD THE CAR NOISES. THEY CAME TO OUR YARD AND TOLD MY WIFE WHAT WAS GOING ON. SHE GOT THE CAR KEYS AND OPENED UP THE LOCKED CAR. SHE POPPED THE HOOD OPEN. THE NEIGHBOR GOT THE POSITIVE CABLE OFF THE BATTERY. AT THE POINT THE STARTER STOPPED TRYING TO SPIN. WE CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, AMICA. THE ADJUSTER SAID WE COULD HAVE THE CAR TOWED. WE HAD A FLATBED WRECKER TOW IT TO ED MORSE TOYOTA IN DELRAY BEACH, FL. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR STARTER MECHANISMS FOR SEVERAL MODELS FOR YEARS 2009 THROUGH 2011. HOWEVER, THE VENZA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. IT IS MY THOUGHT THAT A BAD BATCH OF STARTER/SOLENOIDS WERE MADE AND DISTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS TOYOTA MODELS IN 2009 THROUGH 2011. I BELIEVE THAT OUR CAR RECEIVED ONE OF THEM. (RESEARCH: HTTP://BBC.COM/NEWS/BUSINESS-26950970) I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR OUR $672.00 STARTER REPAIR. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR CAR WOULD HAVE BURNED UP IF OUR NEIGHBORS HAD NOT ACTED SO QUICKLY.

NHTSA ID

10883834

Incident

Jul 4, 2016

Mileage

78,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ID

10750427

Incident

Aug 21, 2015

Mileage

73,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT PRODUCED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE WIRING INSIDE THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

10693882

Incident

Jan 21, 2015

Mileage

95,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682772

Incident

Jan 22, 2013

Mileage

22,327 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10672042

Incident

Jan 10, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK STOPPED @ STOP SIGN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP FOR CHECK BRAKING, ABS, VCS SYSTEM CALL YOUR DEALER...... SO CONTINUED TO PULL OUT FROM STOP, AND SQUEALS THE TIRE, AND THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN ACCELERATING. WAS TOLD IT IS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM AND MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT...... VEHICLE MILEAGE 28385.................. IF THIS HAPPENS PLEASE BE CAREFUL CAR DOES NOT HANDLE THE SAME AND YOU LOSE CONTROL EASILY. I THINK THAT ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS INVOLVED BUT IT DOESN'T HANDLE THE SAME WHEN DRIVING. TAKING TO DEALER THIS WEEK! TOYOTA REF # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10512769

Incident

May 17, 2013

Mileage

28,303 mi

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY MORNING AND THE VSC, ABS WARNINGS BEGIN TO COME UP. AN ISSUE WHICH WAS NOTED WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR AND AROUND 20K MILES THE DEALER TOLD US WE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY WHICH WE HAD TO PURCHASE OUT OF POCKET. SINCE THEN WE PURCHASED AN EXTRA WARRANTY TO COVER ALL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME THE DEALER IS STATING THAT IT IS A SPEED SENSOR AND THAT THE INSURANCE COVERS IT BUT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR ROUGHLY 400 DOLLARS. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE ISSUE AT HAND WAS FOR A SPEED SENSOR BUT THAT IT IS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE DROVE THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT IN THE RAIN THE CAR SKIDS WHEN YOU TRY TO BRAKE AND FEELS VERY UNSAFE SO WE ENDED UP STAYING HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509850

Incident

Apr 26, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

THREE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AND STAYED ON FOR 20 - 30 MINUTES UNTIL I STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE (SUNNY DAY, NO RAIN): 1. SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT (P.515 - MALFUNCTION IN THE VSC OR TRAC SYSTEM). 2. BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT (P.513 - MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM). 3. ABS WARNING LIGHT (P.515 - MALFUNCTION IN THE ABS OR THE BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM). 3. CRUISE CONTROL: A. PRESSING CRUISE CONTROL ON SWITCH WOULDN'T MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED IMMEDIATELY, BUT WOULD ACCELERATE FOR AWHILE (WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL OFF). B. WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, ADJUSTING THE SPEED, ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING, DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. IT'S JUMPY, WOULDN'T REACT RIGHT AWAY, NOT COMFORTABLE, NOT SAFE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME TOYOTA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM YET I HAVE READ ONLINE VENZA OWNERS HAVE HAD A PROBLEM SINCE 2009. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE STATES THERE IS A LOG WHICH RECORDED THE ERROR.

NHTSA ID

10415668

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

28,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUG ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS LOOSE AND MADE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

NHTSA ID

10349629

Incident

Aug 11, 2010

Mileage

9,000 mi

VENZA SPEEDS UP DOES NOT SLOW DOWN. CAN GO FAST WITHOUT STEPPING ON PEDAL. 2009. NOISE IN REAR AND IN FRONT. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. *CN

NHTSA ID

10302901

Incident

Dec 17, 2009

Mileage

1,100 mi