2009 Toyota Venza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Toyota Venza ranks worst of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 173 complaints, and 8 recall campaigns. Engine problems, especially unintended acceleration reports, dominate at a median 13,000 miles, giving it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Venza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 173
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 18
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 1
Top 2009 Toyota Venza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine45 (26%)
- Brakes29 (17%)
- Structure & Body28 (16%)
- Electrical System24 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers23 (13%)
- Other20 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (11%)
- Airbags14 (8%)
- Steering13 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly accelerate or surge unexpectedly while braking or coasting into parking spots, sometimes leading to crashes.
- Drivers describe the engine revving on its own even with both feet on the brake pedal.
- Some owners report airbags failing to deploy in front-end collisions, including a fatal crash.
- A traction control light came on before a vehicle rolled forward and struck another car after braking.
- One owner reported a driver-side seat belt failing to tighten properly during a crash, alongside non-deploying airbags.
2009 Toyota Venza recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V257000Apr 13, 2021Airbags279,040 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2009 Toyota Venza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Venza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota Venza reliable?
- Among the 7 model years with data, 2009 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst overall, with 173 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What problems does the 2009 Toyota Venza have?
- Engine issues make up 26% of complaints, including reports of unintended acceleration, followed by brakes at 17% and structure/body issues at 16%. Median mileage at engine-related failure was 13,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Toyota Venza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2009 Venza, covering airbags, seat heaters, accelerator pedals, stop lamp switches, and tire labeling issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Toyota Venza model years are better than 2009?
- 2012 and 2014 both earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 17 and 0, and 2015 earns a Good verdict with an index of 33, all well below the 2009 model's index of 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Toyota Venza?
- EPA rates the 2009 Venza at 22.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.