NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Toyota Venza Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Toyota Venza has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 173 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Toyota Venza, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Toyota Venza owner complaints

Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Venza, describing incidents dated January 4, 2009 to May 7, 2026.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 36 complaints
Service Brakes 27 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 23 complaints
Electrical System 20 complaints
Seats 20 complaints
Power Train 19 complaints

Of the 173 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 173 complaints, owners report 16 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11757219 · Filed August 15, 2026
1) Passenger airbag isn’t measuring weight properly. Airbag safety message says airbag is off when seat is occupied. 2) Driver’s side seat heater is not working. The light registers that it is on, but it’s not. 3) Other I cannot describe
ODI #11739659 · Filed May 23, 2026
I just bought this car and discovered that the steering system is actually unsafe; the vehicle makes noises and vibrates at the steering column.
ODI #11658926 · Filed May 5, 2025
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…

Read all 173 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Toyota Venza mileage at failure

140 of the 173 complaints on file for the 2009 Toyota Venza give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 7,000 miles	Middle half 1,000–20,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Side Curtain Air Bags May Not Deploy

NHTSA #21V257000 · Air Bags — Side/Window — Curtain · NHTSA notice

Reported April 13, 2021 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 279,040 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 21TB01 / 21TA01 · Owners notified October 19, 2021

Defect description

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-side door.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB01/21TA01.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Heater Electrical Wiring

NHTSA #16V396000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Seat Heater/Cooler · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2016 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,749 vehicles

Repair completion: 23.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SET16B · Owners notified July 14, 2016 · Vehicles built December 5, 1987 – January 27, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Safety consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Heater Electrical Wiring

NHTSA #14V743000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Seat Heater/Cooler · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2014 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,233 vehicles

Repair completion: 26.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 29, 2015 · Vehicles built June 1, 2008 – September 30, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Safety consequence

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Manufacturer remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Occupant Sensing System Calibration

NHTSA #13V014000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported January 16, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,235 vehicles

Owners notified March 21, 2013

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Safety consequence

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Manufacturer remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STOP LAMP SWITCH

NHTSA #12V091000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 186,798 vehicles

Owners notified April 12, 2012 · Vehicles built October 20, 2008 – January 4, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 CAMRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2009, AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 VENZA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 20, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE CONTACT-TYPE STOP LAMP SWITCH, SILICONE GREASE MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE SWITCH WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTACT RESISTANCE. IF THIS OCCURS, WARNING LAMPS COULD ILLUMINATE, A NO START CONDITION COULD RESULT, THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION, OR THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Safety consequence

INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

NHTSA #10V036000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2010 · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Potentially affected: 153,418 vehicles

Owners notified May 27, 2010

Defect description

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Safety consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS

NHTSA #10V035000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2010 · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Potentially affected: 271,417 vehicles

Owners notified May 27, 2010

Defect description

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Notes

PEDAL ENTRAPMENT

NHTSA #10V023000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported January 27, 2010 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,126,915 vehicles

Toyota campaign 90L · Owners notified March 30, 2010

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).

Safety consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 9LG/90L.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2009 Toyota Venza 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

14% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

173 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Venza.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Seats

ODI #11757219

Incident: November 3, 2023 · Filed: August 15, 2026

1) Passenger airbag isn’t measuring weight properly. Airbag safety message says airbag is off when seat is occupied. 2) Driver’s side seat heater is not working. The light registers that it is on, but it’s not. 3) Other I cannot describe

Steering

ODI #11739659

Incident: May 7, 2026 · Filed: May 23, 2026

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

Service Brakes

ODI #11658926

Incident: October 21, 2021 · Filed: May 5, 2025

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11638196

Incident: January 15, 2025 · Filed: January 24, 2025

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?

Seats

ODI #11626280

Incident: February 1, 2024 · Filed: November 19, 2024

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)

Air Bags; Engine

ODI #11623931

Crash

Incident: October 24, 2022 · Filed: November 7, 2024

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11609305

Incident: August 19, 2024 · Filed: August 19, 2024

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.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11575765

Incident: February 15, 2024 · Filed: March 6, 2024

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.

Electrical System; Seats; Unknown or Other

ODI #11559400

Incident: December 6, 2022 · Filed: December 10, 2023

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.

Power Train; Service Brakes

ODI #11544974

Incident: September 1, 2023 · Filed: September 16, 2023

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.

Other Toyota Venza model years

Check your 2009 Toyota Venza VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Venza at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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