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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Toyota VenzaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 173 owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Venza. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (36) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
173
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 13, 2021NHTSA 21V257000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

173 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2009 – Aug 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control36
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Seats20
  4. Power train19
  5. Service brakes17
  6. Air bags14
  7. Steering13
  8. Visibility/wiper13
  9. Visibility11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Venza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009173
201079
201159
201225
201359
201431
201528
20240
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

36 reports9 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2015Vehicle speed controlODI 10782376

Electrical system

20 reports1 crash2 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11757219

Seats

20 reports3 fires
“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]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2024SeatsODI 11626280
All 2009 Venza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Venza
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Venza AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Venza
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Venza AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
  • Venza
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Venza AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Venza
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Venza AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota Venza as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5362
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Venza questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Venza have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Toyota Venza problems?

Owners filed 173 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (36), electrical system (20), seats (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Toyota Venza get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Venza at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026