2009 Toyota Venza Complaint Log

THIS IS 2009 TOYOTA VENZA V6 AWD VERSION. OIL LEAKED FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN ELECTROMAGNETIC COUPLER SUB-ASSEMBLY AND THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE COUPLER ITSELF ALSO LEAKED OIL. THE UNIT IS ALL COVERED BY OIL. DEALER STATING THE PART IS NON-SERVICEABLE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

SEAT HEATER OR DRIVER SIDE HEATS UP TOO HOT AND TOO FAST. SMELLS LIKE WIRES ARE BURNING. BROUGHT TO DEALER THEY ARE PUSHING US TO INSTALL A NEW SEAT FOR $5200.00. AND CHARGED US $112.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. AND DID NOT DISABLE THE HEATER. THEY LEFT IT IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. CAR WAS TURNED ON IN PARK ALSO HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. (ANSWERED NO FIRE BELOW BUT YOU COULD SMELL THE WIRE OR SOMETHING BURNING).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE SEAT HEATER, A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE WERE DETECTED UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A FAULTY HEATING ELEMENT AND WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE THREE YEARS AGO UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V743000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NOTICED THE CAR ACCELERATING A LITTLE BIT,NOTHING LIKE A THROTTLE STUCK OR ANYTHING BUT JUST ACCELERATING A BIT MORE THAN I THINK,CURIOUS TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE AT ALL

THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT NO LONGER WORKS, AT ALL. I PURCHASED IT USED WITH 46K MILES AND IT WORKED FOR ONE WINTER (2014) BUT NO LONGER. THE LIGHT FOR THE HEATER COMES ON BUT THERE IS NO HEAT EMITTED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR THIS AVAILABLE BUT NONE FOR MY VIN #. DEALER ESTIMATED $1200+ TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION, OR IN THE VISOR POSITION, BUT DROPS INTO AN UNSAFE, VISIBILITY HAMPERING AND DISTRACTING LOCATION. TOUCHING/FEELING THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY WHERE THE VISOR CONNECTS TO THE SUPPORT BAR REVEALS THAT THE ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT TOYOTA HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY AND WILL PAY FOR THIS REPAIR FOR CAMRY'S BUT NOT VENZA'S. I HAVE A 2010 CAMRY THAT I PURCHASED ON THE SAME DAY AS THE VENZA: JULY 31, 2009 AND IT'S DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILED ON JULY 31, 215 JUST ONE DAY AFTER THE VENZA'S (BUT WITH TWICE THE MILEAGE)! HOPING THAT NHTSA CAN CONVINCE TOYOTA TO FIX THE MUCH SMALLER QUANTITY (COMPARED TO CAMRY) OF VENZA'S AS WELL. I WOULD REPLACE IT MYSELF IF THE PART WASN'T SO TERRIBLY OVERPRICED ($179 !!!). I WILL BE SEEKING GOODWILL FROM THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM, BUT FROM TRAFFIC ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM FOR WHICH TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING THE CORRECT ACTION

WHILE UNLOADING ITEMS FROM THE REAR OF THE VENZA, THE LEFT SIDE LIFT MECHANISM OF THE TAIL GATE WHICH WAS UP IN THE AUTOMATIC LIFT TOP POSITION BROKE OFF AND THE DOOR FELL ON MY HEAD INJURING MY SKULL. TERRIBLE HEADACHE AFTERWARDS. THE AUTOMATIC FUNCTION OF THE LIFT UP OR DOWN NO LONGER WORKS. UPDATED 10/9/15 *LN UPDATED 11/29/2017*CN

THE DRAIN HOSE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER MAY BECOME CLOGGED CAUSING WATER TO ACCUMULATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER UNIT HOUSING. THE ACCUMULATED WATER MAY THEN LEAK THROUGH A SEAM IN THE HOUSING ONTO THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE MODULE.

DRIVERS SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN BLOCKING VISION. IT STARTED OUT WITH A SLIGHT SAGGING DOWN, BUT TODAY WHILE IN DALLAS, TX TRAFFIC IT DROPPED DOWN AND WOULD NOT STAY UP ON IT'S OWN. VERY DANGEROUS! I HAD TO LITERALLY TEAR VISOR DOWN TO SAFELY BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. *TR

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.

TOYOTA 2009 VENZA SYSTEMIC SPEED SENSOR FAILURES: RIGHT REAR SPEED SENSOR 1/17/2015: LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR MAY 2013: LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR APRIL 2012 IN EACH CASE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED, CREATING HAZARDOUS VEHICLE OPERATION, ESPECIALLY IN SNOW/ICE. RESEARCHING, I DETERMINED THAT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT THAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECTIVE SPEED SENSORS AND THAT THEIR FAILURE DISABLED THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE COMMON KNOWLEDGE. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER OF MY CONCERN, ON JANUARY 22, 2015 (TOYOTA CASE # [XXX]), AND MADE FORMAL REQUEST FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE CHARGES FOR THE THIRD REPAIR ON THE BASIS THAT VENZA SPEED SENSOR FAILURES ARE A SYSTEMIC, RECOGNIZED ISSUE CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL LONG PAST. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA THAT THE CRITERIA FOR NOTIFICATION OF THE ISSUE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WERE CLEARLY MET. PER UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301), MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IS DEFINED AS 'THE PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THE PUBLIC AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND INCLUDES NONOPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.' TOYOTA REJECTED MY REQUEST 3/10/15 ON THE BASIS THAT IT DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA OF THEIR NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, COMPLETELY DISREGARDING THE STATED CONCERN. GIVEN THAT TOYOTA HAS WILLFULLY CHOSEN TO NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL AND HAZARD ISSUES RAISED, THIS COMPLAINT IS SUBMITTED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE HEATED LEATHER FACTORY INSTALLED SEATS IN OUR 2009 TOYOTA VENZA START TO SMELL LIKE ELECTRIC WIRES MELTING AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TURNING THEM ON. I HAVE CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA CORPORATION AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY MODEL AND VIN. I HAVE 140,000 MILES ONLY CAR AND THEY ARE TELLING ME TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR SINCE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIODS THERE IS A RECALL ON AFTER MARKET COMPONENTS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE BUT MINE IS FACTORY INSTALL. HOW DO I GET THIS PLACED ON A RECALL LIST. I AM AFRAID MY SEATS WILL CATCH ON FIRE IF THIS IS NOT REPAIRED. *TR

WHILE AT GROCERY STORE, ENGAGED REAR POWER LIFT GATE ON KEY FOB. LIFT GATE OPENED AND STARTED LOADING GROCERIES INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE LIFT GATE CAME DOWN HITTING ME IN THE HEAD. THERE WAS SO MUCH PRESSURE THAT IT KNOCKED TO MY KNEES. THE HEAD STRIKE CAUSED A CONTUSION AND RAISED LUMP ON MY HEAD AND MINOR CONCLUSIVE SYMPTOMS. *TR

ON JANUARY 8TH,2015 I HAD THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED ON OUR VEHICLE. AN INTERNET CHECK REVEALED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REF: TSB 0031-12 WAS ISSUED. NHTSA REF: 10052153 FOR THE 2009 VENZA WAS ALSO ISSUED DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY WHEEL SPEED SENSORS.THE FAULTY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CAUSED 3 WARNING LIGHTS TO COME ON. THE ABS, VSC AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS COULD YOU PLEASE INCLUDE THIS VIN IF A RECALL IS ANNOUNCED. THANK YOU. *TR

I WAS PULLING UP TO A DRIVE THRU WINDOW AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST SURGED FORWARD I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES . I HIT AND DAMAGED TWO CARS IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE I COULD BRING IT TO A STOP. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE CAR HAD DONE THIS BUT THE OTHER TIME NO OTHER CARS WAS INVOLVED . *TR

I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WHEN THE CAR TOOK A SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD. I STEERED HARD TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND MANAGE TO HIT THE BUMPER ON RIGHT SIDE DOING OVER 1500 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND SWERVED INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR DOING DAMAGE TO IT ALSO. THE VENZA HAD DAMAGE OF MORE THAN SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SO IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE CARPORT SINCE THE DAY THE REPAIRS WERE FINISH. BY THE WAY THAT WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THAT KIND IN THAT CAR. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. *JS

VCS, BRAKES, ABS LIGHTS ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME AFTER HEAVY RAIN. WENT AWAY, CAME BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND NOW IS ON CONSTANTLY. *TR

EXACTLY AS ANOTHER DRIVER STATED: THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR STARTED TO JUST FALL DOWN A LITTLE AT FIRST. THEN IT JUST STARTED FALLING OFF A LITTLE MORE SOMETIME BLOCKING MY VIEW. I WOULD PUSH IT BACK UP AND THAT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE METAL PART CAME THROUGH THE CLOTH AND IT CAME OFF TOTALLY. I WENT TO PRICE A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED AROUND $111.00 THAT WASN'T INCLUDING SERVICE. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS VISOR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE CRASHES FROM THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT BEFORE YOU HAVE A RECALL. NEEDS A RECALL ASAP.. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS COMING APART. THE VISOR HINGE SEEMS TO BE PROTRUDING FROM THE VISOR WHICH CAUSE THE VISOR NOT TO STAY UP OR GO UP BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. AS YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, YOU HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, WHEN TURNING TO MY LEFT TO CHECK MY BLIND SPOT, WHEN I TURNED BACK TO LOOK STRAIGHT I HIT MY HEAD ON THE SAGGING VISOR. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS VISOR COULD HIT SOMEONE IN THE EYES AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AN UNKNOWN SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS REPLACED BUT THE WATER PUMP WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

THE DEALER SAID ITS A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT 7 MONTHS AGO. *TR

OUR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK AT HIGH SPEED BY A PERSON WHO RAN A STOP SIGN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ALMOST EVERY CORNER AND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED WITH PAIN AND CONTUSION IN THE NECK, HEAD, SIDE, AND ELBOWS. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. WE HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC MATTER. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE, IN FACT- WE HAVE SINCE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND NO MENTION OF THE RECALL. THE DRIVER COULD HAVE EASILY DIED IN THIS ACCIDENT. ...UPDATED 10/28/14 *BF *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFT GATE WAS RELEASED OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO CLOSE FEATURE THAT WOULD RELEASE AND THEN PULL THE LIFTGATE INTO THE VEHICLE. THE LIFTGATE WAS ALSO SUPPOSED TO DETECT WHEN THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN ITS PATH AND STOP HOWEVER, THE LIFT GATE CLOSED ABRUPTLY AND TRAPPED A CHILD'S FINGERS BETWEEN THE GATE AND THE VEHICLE. TWO OF THE CHILD'S FINGERS ON THE LEFT HAND WERE SEVERELY BRUISED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. . ...UPDATED 03/15/17 *BF ...UPDATED 03/29/17 *BF VIDEO UPLOADED ON YOUTUBE. UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR STARTED TO JUST FALL DOWN A LITTLE AT FIRST. THEN IT JUST STARTED FALLING OFF A LITTLE MORE SOMETIME BLOCKING MY VIEW. I WOULD PUSH IT BACK UP AND THAT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE METAL PART CAME THROUGH THE CLOTH AND IT CAME OFF TOTALLY. I WENT TO PRICE A NEW ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED AROUND $121.00 THAT WASN'T INCLUDING SERVICE. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS VISOR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE CRASHES FROM THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT BEFORE YOU HAVE A RECALL. NEEDS A RECALL ASAP.... *TR

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME MADE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN. AFTER THIS OCCURRENCE THE FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS LIT UP (HAND BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, WARNING LIGHT) I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED IT TO BE AN ABS SENSOR ON MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE READ MANY BLOGS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE BLOGS MOSTLY STATE THAT THE TOYOTA DEALERS DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR THIS BRAKE ISSUE. BEFORE I SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE I WOULD LIKE SOME INFORMATION FIRST, IF IN FACT A RECALL IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY. THE VISOR APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED, ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO SHIFT TO OUTSIDE OF THE VISOR. THE RESULT LEAVES THE VISOR HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. *TR

AFFECTED PART: DRIVER SUN VISOR THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND INCIDENT I'VE HAD WITH THE VISOR. THE FIRST TIME WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE NEW VENZA. TOYOTA REPLACED THE FIRST VISOR BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH NOT ONLY 2009 VENZAS, BUT VARIOUS TOYOTA MODELS. TOYOTA HAS ONLY RECALLED THE CAMRY MODELS. MY VISION IS OBSTRUCTED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE VISOR CAN NOT BE PUSHED IN THE UP POSITION CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. EVEN THOUGH MY ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE VISOR HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED, TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR. THERE ARE ALSO PETITIONS ONLINE REQUESTING A RECALL FOR THIS PART. *TR

AS WITH CERTAIN 2009 VENZAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN USA, I HAVE ONE I WAS TOLD WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE GULF STATES, WHERE THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WIRING HAS ALSO BEEN DAMAGED. UNLIKE SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC (SET), THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER RECALL BY GULF STATES TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS (GST), AND IT'S QUITE CONCERNING. I'M FINDING SEVERAL PEOPLE OWNING VENZA'S WHO ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. "THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION WHICH MAY DAMAGE THE SEAT HEATER WIRING. 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."

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DETACHED AND HINDERED THE CONTACT'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAS PERIODICALLY POPPED DOWN. I'VE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND PUSHED IT BACK UP. THIS TIME, I HEARD A POP AND IT CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN. NOW A METAL PIECE IS STICKING OUT BETWEEN THE TWO PIECES AND THE VISOR SWINGS TO AND FRO AS I DRIVE. IT OBSTRUCTS MY LINE OF VISION WHETHER IT IS IN FRONT OF ME OR TO THE SIDE. I'VE CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY INFORM ME THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT IN TO BUY A NEW ONE. FROM MY RESEARCH, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND IT IS A ROAD AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY. THE VISOR APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED, ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO SHIFT TO OUTSIDE OF THE VISOR. THE RESULT LEAVES THE VISOR HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VISOR CONTINUOSLY DROPPED, BLOCKING THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

WHEN THE DRIVERS VISOR WAS PUSHED UP OUT OF THE WAY SOMETHING SNAPPED AND THE VISOR WOULD NOT STAY UP. IT WOULD ONLY HANG DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY LINE OF VISION. I ENDED UP DRIVING FROM UTAH TO AZ HOLDING THE VISOR UP SO I COULD SEE. I SPENT OVER $125 TO INSTALL IT MYSELF. TWO YEARS LATER THE SAME EXACT THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGERS VISOR MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TRAFFIC COMING FROM MY RIGHT. I CALLED POWER TOYOTA TO GET THE PART AND WAS INFORMED THE FOLLOWING DAY IT IS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER WITH NO RELEASE DATE. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE I WAS INFORMED THAT VISORS ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS AND OFFERED NO SUGGESTIONS OR REASONS AS TO WHY THE VISORS ARE UNAVAILABLE. I HOPE MY UPCOMING TRIP TO TUCSON IS NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY TOYOTA'S FAULTY VISORS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE MECHANIC ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A TIRE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A CALIBRATION UPDATE, ROTATED THE TIRES, AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 01/14/15

SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH, UPON INSPECTION VISOR IS COMPLETELY WARPED INSIDE. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR HAS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT SUDDENLY DROPPED IN FRONT OF MY FACE CAUSING MY VISION OF THE ROAD TO BE OBSTRUCTED. THE VISOR IS DEFECTIVE IN THAT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AND AWAY FROM MY FACE WHILE DRIVING. IT SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE BRACKETING SYSTEM WHICH HOLDS THE VISOR IN PLACE BROKE AND WHEN THE VISOR FELL IN FRONT OF MY FACE, IT ACTUALLY FELL LOWER THAN IF I HAD PUT THE VISOR DOWN MYSELF TO BLOCK THE SUN. THE LIGHT WHICH ACTIVATES THE MIRROR IN THE SUN VISOR HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AS IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE VISOR DROPPED AND BLOCKED MY VISION OF THE ROAD. *JS

IN MARCH 2014, MY PASSENGER SUN VISOR STARTED FAILING BY MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN LOWERING. BY APRIL, THE VISOR WOULD NOT GO BACK UP AND ENDING "HANGING" WHERE YOU WERE UNABLE TO SEE UNLESS YOU HELD IT. IN MAY 2014, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED AS WELL. I NOW HAVE BOTH VISORS STOWED IN MY GLOVE BOX BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID TO HANG ON TO THEM IN CASE OF A RECALL. THEY SAID PART AND LABOR TO FIX WOULD BE ABOUT 200.00 FOR ONE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT. I CAN SEE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL ON THESE SUN VISORS DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

OUR 2009 VENZA HAS HAD 3 SPEED SENSOR FAILURES IN THE LAST YEAR. GOOD THING WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT EXPIRES IN ABOUT 10,000 MILES? WHEN I ASKED TOYOTA THIS QUESTION, THEY SAID TO CALL BACK WHEN ANOTHER WHEN BROKE. I'M SURE THAT WON'T BE LONG. IN MY OPINION, TOYOTA HAS SOLD A PRODUCT WITH A DEFECTIVE PART AND DOESN'T REALLY CARE. THIS WAS OUR FIRST TOYOTA AND LAST TOYOTA PURCHASE. *JS

SUN VISOR OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY: LAST YEAR (2003) THE LEFT SUN VISOR (DRIVER SIDE) FELL STRAIGHT DOWN BLOCKING VISION DURING TRAVEL. I ALREADY PAID $100 + TAX TO REPLACE IT. NOW ON NOVEMBER 2014, THE RIGHT SUN VISOR (PASSENGER SIDE) IS BROKEN. I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD ISSUE, BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS VISOR AGAIN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DUE TO A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A TOYOTA VENZA 2009 FWD, NEXT DAY AFTER CAME OFF THE DEALER, I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE BEHIND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY THE STEERING COLUMN. I JUST CAME BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME, THERE IS A TSB REPORT FOR THIS KIND OF VEHICLES, HERE IS THE TSB # 0005-11, IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT IS JUST AN "ANNOYING" NOISE AND IS NOT ANY RISK INVOLVED......, WHO KNOWS?, LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA KNOW VERY WELL ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT THEY DIDN'T MAKE ANY RECALL YET. JUST A BULLETIN. IS A FAILING PIECE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOW IS POSSIBLE THE DEALER KNOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEY DID NOT MAKE ANY RECALL???. FIX IT CAN BE AROUND 2000 DOLLARS.....RIDICULOUS. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK STOPPED @ STOP SIGN, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP FOR CHECK BRAKING, ABS, VCS SYSTEM CALL YOUR DEALER...... SO CONTINUED TO PULL OUT FROM STOP, AND SQUEALS THE TIRE, AND THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN ACCELERATING. WAS TOLD IT IS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM AND MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT...... VEHICLE MILEAGE 28385.................. IF THIS HAPPENS PLEASE BE CAREFUL CAR DOES NOT HANDLE THE SAME AND YOU LOSE CONTROL EASILY. I THINK THAT ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS INVOLVED BUT IT DOESN'T HANDLE THE SAME WHEN DRIVING. TAKING TO DEALER THIS WEEK! TOYOTA REF # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY MORNING AND THE VSC, ABS WARNINGS BEGIN TO COME UP. AN ISSUE WHICH WAS NOTED WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR AND AROUND 20K MILES THE DEALER TOLD US WE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY WHICH WE HAD TO PURCHASE OUT OF POCKET. SINCE THEN WE PURCHASED AN EXTRA WARRANTY TO COVER ALL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME THE DEALER IS STATING THAT IT IS A SPEED SENSOR AND THAT THE INSURANCE COVERS IT BUT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR ROUGHLY 400 DOLLARS. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE ISSUE AT HAND WAS FOR A SPEED SENSOR BUT THAT IT IS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE DROVE THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT IN THE RAIN THE CAR SKIDS WHEN YOU TRY TO BRAKE AND FEELS VERY UNSAFE SO WE ENDED UP STAYING HOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. NONE OF THE EIGHT AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THEIR DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED, WHEN THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND CRUSHED HIM.

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR FALLING DOWN AND IMPEDING SITE. *TR

THE SUN VISOR POSITION RETAINING CLIP SEPARATED FROM THE PLASTIC MOLDING AND THE VISOR WILL NOT REMAIN UP. THE VISOR IMPEDES VISIBILITY TO THE FRONT. IT CAN BE MOVED OUT OF THE WAY TO THE LEFT BUT THAT PARTIALLY BLOCKS MY VIEW OF THE SIDE MIRROR. SINCE THE VISOR IS FREELY SWINGING SOMETIMES IT STOPS TILTED TOWARD THE DRIVER. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THIS COULD RESULT IN HEAD INJURY. THE LOSS OF VISIBILITY TOWARD THE FRONT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR DRIVERS WITH A HIGHER SEATING POSITION. FROM SEVERAL FORUMS THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE FROM AT LEAST THE 2008 TO 2010 TOYOTA MODEL YEARS ACROSS ALL MODELS. *TR

THAT DAY, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, RETURN TO DEALER. TRIED TO STOP AND THE BRAKES SHUTTERED, ANTI-LOCK KICKED IN. THIS CONTINUES EVERY TIME I TRY AND STOP WHILE FINDING A PLACE TO PARK. *TR

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. *TR