2013 Toyota Venza Airbags Problems

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Potential Safety Issue - 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally report a potential safety concern related to the 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models. The issue pertains to a discernible creaking sound originating from the turn signal stalk when the turn signals are engaged and the steering wheel is turned. Upon thorough examination, it has been identified that the source of this noise is the clock spring, a crucial airbag component designated by its yellow color and distinguished by two orange and yellow wires. It is imperative to emphasize that the clock spring, being a vital element of the airbag system, plays a pivotal role in ensuring occupant safety. Unfortunately, the persistent "clicking/ratcheting" noise associated with the turn signals in these models has been observed to have adverse consequences over time. This prolonged issue leads to clock spring failure, subsequently triggering the activation of the airbag light. It has come to my attention that Toyota is aware of this concern, yet no remedial action has been taken, purportedly due to the relatively low sales volume of the Venza. It is notable that this noise issue is widespread among used Venzas, signifying a systemic problem that necessitates prompt attention. In circumstances where vital airbag components are intricately connected to sensitive elements like the clock spring, the presence of abnormal noises should be considered a cause for concern. Given the critical role of these components in ensuring the efficacy of the airbag system, I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter thoroughly. The safety and well-being of vehicle occupants should always be of paramount importance, irrespective of sales figures. Your intervention in addressing and rectifying this potential safety issue would undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the overall safety standards of the affected Toyota Venza Models.

NHTSA ID

11548549

Incident

Oct 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the passenger’s side seat belt warning light remained illuminated with a passenger in the seat. The contact stated that the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags seat belts warning lights recently started to remain illuminated. The local dealer was contacted about inspecting the vehicle however, the contact declined after being provided a cost to do the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11437835

Incident

Jun 2, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ID

11427590

Incident

May 13, 2021

Mileage

91,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V257000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11425673

Incident

Jul 20, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD IMPACTED INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE; NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED MULTIPLE INJURIES (THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THEIR VEHICLE). THE CONTACT WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL WHILE RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE FOR HEADACHES, BRUISING ON THE LEFT ARM, LOWER BACK BRUISING AND BRUISING ON THE CHEST WHICH RESULTED IN INTERNAL BLEEDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INSURANCE LOT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11416165

Incident

Apr 21, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

THE AIRBAG WARNING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON IN DEC 2019. I PURCHASED A DTC READER BLUE DRIVER) AND SCANNED THE VEHICLE. AIRBAG CODE B1698 REGISTERED. I SWITCHED LEFT DOOR SENSOR WITH THE RIGHT DOOR SENSOR AND STILL THE LEFT DOOR SENSOR CODE REMAINED. I DISMANTLED THE CENTER CONSOLE, LEFT AND RIGHT DOOR PANELS, ETC. BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE THE MALFUNCTION CODE. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND HAVE DRIVEN WITHOUT AN ACTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN SUPPORT OF YOUR RECALL FOR THE TOYOTA VENZA AIRBAG WIRING.

NHTSA ID

11408354

Incident

Dec 5, 2019

ERROR MESSAGE: CHECK SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH. TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. HE SAID THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST TIME FOR ME SINCE AUGUST 2014) PER THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE HISTORY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 1/23/2021

NHTSA ID

11389591

Incident

Jan 21, 2021

Mileage

94,801 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, WATER WAS DISCOVERED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORMAT. THE CONTACT HEARD WATER SWISHING AROUND UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (BREDEMANN TOYOTA, 1301 W DEMPSTER ST, PARK RIDGE, IL 60068, (847) 655-1435) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11109852

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A WET 50 DEGREE NIGHT IN JANUARY 12 T AND LOST TOTAL VISABILITY WHEN ENTERING LYNDON VERMON GOING AROUND 20 MPH AND RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HUSBAND, THE DRIVER, SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN STERNUM AND 5 BROKEN RIBS AND CONSIDERABLE INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE POLICE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ID

11062646

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

55,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. DAMAGING THE FRONT AND BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. I HAVE INJURIES AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

10822300

Incident

Jan 13, 2016

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT ARMS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE CRASHED WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10659734

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT) HAD A EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT A SMALL QUANTITY OF PARTS WERE PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLES THAT WERE PURCHASED AT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE REPAIRED FIRST; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. RK

NHTSA ID

10564778

Incident

Dec 1, 2013