Toyota Venza Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 61 complaints about electrical system problems with the Toyota Venza — 13% of all Venza complaints. The worst model years are 2009 (20), 2010 (15) and 2011 (15). Problems typically start around 76,000 miles. No electrical recall has been issued for the Venza.

61complaints
2009worst year
76ktypical miles
0related recalls
3crashes
6fires

Electrical complaints by model year

2009201020112012201320142015201515101
Electrical complaints per model year, Toyota Venza.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
201413%130,000 miles
20131017%15,000 miles
20111525%85,000 miles
20101519%93,000 miles
20092012%78,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Wiring
    1
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1026%
  • 25k–50k
    410%
  • 50k–75k
    615%
  • 75k–100k
    1128%
  • 100k–150k
    513%
  • 150k+
    38%

What owners report

Upon approaching my vehicle and unlocking it, the drivers side mirror courtesy light wire caught on fire and started smoking. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because had I not been there my entire car could have caught on fire as well as any thing or anyone around or in my vehicle. No one has inspected the vehicle at this time. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. They first appeared the moment it happened.

2013 Venza · Mar 2026 · fire

I complained to a Toyota Dealer about this problem in 6-2017. The took it for a road test and the car did not do it and it did not record a code. So they could not find a solution. Intermittently and without warning the electronic link between the gas pedal and the engine is inoperative for 3-5 seconds. During this period the car is not under power, it is coasting and depressing the gas pedal has no effect on the engine speed. After this period the electronic link is automatically restored and the engine is again responsive to pressure on the gas pedal. I have been dealing with this scenario ever since I purchased this car in 8-2013. It seems to be happening more frequently. Needless to say, it is a very dangerous situation. I no longer feel safe driving this car. .

2013 Venza · Aug 2013

Purchased a 2011 toyota venza almost 28 days ago. I haven't even made my first payment for my car loan. The rain here in florida has shown that it is raining inside my vehicle. I have contacted the dealer, I have contacted my insurance company. I have done research and it's a known issue with this vehicle. I need help in correcting this. I am not driving the vehicle because it was shorting out the electric in the car. I have a tarp over it now. Can you point me in the direction of where to turn?

2011 Venza · Jul 2025

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that the seat warmer module connection melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 101,162.

2011 Venza · 101,000 miles · Nov 2014 · fire

On or around March 10, 2023, as my wife and daughter were driving the driver's side heated seat started burning/smoking. Immediately, my wife turned off the seat and returned home. I found there was an existing recall for this issue but only for the Southeast Toyota Distributors, I purchased my car in Missouri. I took the vehicle to the local dealership in Clarksville, Tennessee. Not only would they not honor the recall, but charged me $115.88 to confirm the burning of the seat. I contacted Toyota 7 times thus far and they are refusing to help because the recall only affected the Southeast Distributor group. I find this ludicrous as all the vehicles were made at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant. …

2010 Venza · Mar 2023 · fire

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the horn failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failures were related. However, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

2010 Venza · 93,000 miles · Aug 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. …

2009 Venza · Jan 2025

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

2009 Venza · Nov 2023

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Venza years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (20), 2010 (15), 2011 (15) and 2013 (10) model years. Electrical complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2009.

Is there a recall for Toyota Venza electrical problems?

No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Toyota Venza model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Toyota Venza electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the wiring (1 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (1).

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.