Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Venza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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
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. …
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.
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.
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. …
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. …
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.
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Venza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Toyota Venza?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Venza, 12% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Venza electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Toyota Venza, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Venza electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.