27 of the
231 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Venza are about the
braking system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
32,314 miles.
C
27
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Service Brakes
1763.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
622.2%
Service Brakes, Electric
311.1%
Pedals AND Linkages
13.7%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Albuquerque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES
1) Brakes consistently 'softer' than normal. Sometimes require pumping the pedal to stop at all. Can be difficult to start car, brake pedal may not move at all to get starter button to light up. **Every time after sitting over night, when the car starts the pedal 'mushes' to the floor. It must be pumped to get any resistance. 2) Lack of reliable brakes poses real safety risk for everyone. I just had incident where I had difficulty stopping, nearly in accident. 3) One mechanic experienced lack of brakes when driving it, had to pump pedal to stop. 4) Multiple independent auto repair shops as well as local Toyota Dealer service have charged me thousands to repair, without success. 5) 6/27/23 warning light, 'check ABS', sensor unplugged by mechanic. Once master cylinder replaced, sensor reconnected. 6) I just called Toyota Corporate, was told they couldn't help, I'd have to pay to have it looked at again.
NHTSA complaint #11658926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Floresville, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
I was at a stop sign and I was on an incline and I let the brake go to press the gas and the car started to go backwards and i almost hit the car behind me and and press the gas to go forward. Now anytime I am on an incline during a stop and if I let go the brake the car goes backwards.
NHTSA complaint #11544974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesBrentwood, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK, WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT CONTINUED TO BACK UP. NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I PUT IT IN IT STAYED IN REVERSE. I WAS BLOCKING A LANE AT THE MALL ,U MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUSH IT WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT HE COULDN'T BUDGE IT, IT WAS STILL IN REVERSE. I THINK IT HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, AND IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11383791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Betlehem, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVER SIDE SEAT NO HEAT. SPEED SENSOR FRONT RIGHT THERE LIGHT ON BREAK ABS AND VSC. REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKE NOISE
NHTSA complaint #11174623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWhite Lake, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS, ESC, AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY DISPLAY UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES AFTER 1/4 MILE OF DRIVING, OTHER TIMES AFTER 25 MILES OF DRIVING. THEY DISPLAY ON SMOOTH OR ROUGH ROADS, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. WHILE I HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT OR SYSTEM FAIL, IT IS OF CONCERN BECAUSE I TRANSPORT MY DAUGHTER IN THIS VEHICLE. ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS AS WELL, I BELIEVE THIS IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE CAUSE OR THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHTS APPEAR EITHER. THEY APPEAR AT STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS, WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY, OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AM UNAWARE IF THE SYSTEMS THEMSELVES STOP WORKING UPON THE INDICATORS ACTIVATION OR NOT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARRANTS MORE INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLY A SAFETY RECALL AS ABS AND ESC ARE SAFETY FEATURES AND BRAKES ARE (FROM MY CIVILIAN PERSPECTIVE) A NECESSARY FUNCTION FOR THE VEHICLES SAFE OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11163188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRockville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
INTERMITTANT PROBLEM COMMON TO MANY THOUSANDS OR MORE OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. >THIS PROBLEM IS OF MOST URGENCY BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE CAN SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. BRAKES>#1 SAFETY CONCERN. >THE EXACT PROBLEM IS THAT 3 "INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATOR SYMBOLS" LIGHT, ALL 3 AT THE SAME TIME. >THE INDICATOR SYMBOLS ARE 1.) THE "BRAKE" (EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT), 2.) THE "ABS" (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT) AND 3.) THE "SLIP INDICATOR" (ICON LIGHT). >WE HAVE FOUND NO ACTION OF TURNING ON THE CAR, CHANGING GEARS, BRAKING, TEMPERATURE, EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED OR ENGAGED, LIGHTS, HILL BRAKING...IN OTHER WORDS...NOTHING THAT SHOWS ANY CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THESE 3 LIGHTS COMING ON TOGETHER. >THE 3 LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTANTLY, TIMING IS RANDOM. MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE ALL ON. >THE CAR "SEEMS" TO DRIVE AS NORMAL BUT WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE ABS OR ANTI SKID ARE WORKING OR DISABLED. >THIS PROBLEM STARTED A SHORT TIME AFTER THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 355 TOYOTA ON ROCKVILLE PIKE IN ROCKVILLE MARYLAND OVERFILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID WELL ABOVE THE "MAX" LINE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CAP SO THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE ANY AIR. >MECHANICS AT ROCKVILLE TIRE AND AUTO REMOVED THE EXCESS BRAKE FLUID TO THE CORRECT MAX LINE USING A POLYETHYLENE (NON MELTING) SYRINGE THAT I SUPPLIED. THE SYRINGE WAS CLEAN AND NEVER USED. >THE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON TOGETHER. >THE BRAKE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS MECHANICALLY RELEASED. (AND ALL 3 LIGHTS ARE ON OR LIT TO BE EXACT) >WHEN ROCKVILLE TIRE AND AUTO CHECKED THE PCM? FOR CODES THERE WERE NO CODES EVEN REMOTELY RELATED TO BRAKES OR WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. HE GAVE ME A PRINTOUT OF THE CONTENTS OF THE PCM CODES WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY ABSENT OF ERROR CODES. HE ALSO CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND FOUND IT TO BE PERFECT. >STATIONARY, IN MOTION, TURNING OR STRAIGHT AHEAD.
NHTSA complaint #11061474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,743 milesCorrales, NM
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY ABS VSC BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WITH MESSAGE TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO DEALER. TURNED OUT TO BE SPEED SENSOR ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I HAVE REMOVED SENSOR AND WHILE THERE IS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE IT APPEARS TO BE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. CLEARLY A DEFECT IN PRODUCT SINCE THE CAR IS GARAGED AND I LIVE IN A HIGH DESERT ENVIRONMENT. EFFECTIVELY THE ABS AND VSC SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED.
NHTSA complaint #10993419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesEwing, NJCrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THREE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10928849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,700 milesWest Springfield, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND I ALMOST HIT THE CARS INFRONT OF ME. I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE ROTARY AND THERE WAS CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND I TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10895423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesGolden, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
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).
NHTSA complaint #10694373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,928 milesSioux Falls, SD
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10682823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesWales, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10660041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,377 milesWhittier, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10626157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,303 milesHuntingdon, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
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).
NHTSA complaint #10512769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesUniondale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10509850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesLeawood, KS
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10501141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesDenver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V091000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), THE BRAKE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS DETERMINED A DEFECTIVE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION ALONG WITH THE BRAKES AND SKID CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER N/A) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10481190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
2009 TOYOTA VENZA. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING THE BRAKE PEDAL. PRIMARILY, IF HE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT DOWNWARD INCLINE, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD BEGIN TO DRIFT BACKWARDS. AT TIMES, HE WOULD MISS HITTING THE BRAKE, TO TRY AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO SMALLER SEAT SIZE AND BODY POSITION ALIGNMENT . THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL SIZE AND DISTANCE/POSITION OF THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10456230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 700 milesReston, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #10349542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesGarden Grove, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. RECENTLY BY ROTATING THE WHEELS, I NOTICED THE NUTS WERE LOOSEN. SO WHEN TAKING THE WHEELS OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE DISC BRAKES WERE NOT TIGHTEN TO THE LUGS AND COULD ROLL BACK AND FORTH BY THE LITTLE BIT OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE LUGS AND THE LUGS' HOLES. THEY WOULD BE TIGHTEN WHEN THE WHEELS WERE ON AND TIGHTEN WITH THE WHEELS' NUTS. I USE MY EDUCATED GUESS TO GUESS THAT WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR, THE DISC BRAKES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ROLL IN REVERSE DIRECTION OF THE WHEELS IN THAT LITTLE BIT OF THE SPACE. WHEN I BACK UP THE CAR, THEN BRAKE, AGAIN, THE DISC BRAKES WILL ROLL THE OTHER DIRECTION. THIS ACTION WILL RESULT IN LOOSING THE WHEELS' NUTS AFTER A SHORT WHILE. WE HAVE OTHER CARS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURES, AND WE FOUND THAT THEY DON'T DESIGN THE SAME WAY, WHICH THE DISC BRAKES ARE TIGHTEN TO THE LUGS ALONE. I WROTE THIS SAME EMAIL TO TOYOTA, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WILL ANSWER ME. I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. IF OWNERS WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO RETIGHTEN THE WHEELS AFTER 5000-7000 MILES, THEY WILL FACE A CHANCE OF LOOSING A WHEEL ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE PUT YOUR ENGINEERS TO TEST THIS ISSUE TO HELP BRINGING MORE SAFETY TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10317277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,700 milesNorwood, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING (~ 30 TO 35 MPH) ON WINTER ST, FRAMINGHAM, MA AROUND 530PM. I HIT BRAKES AT THE RED SIGNAL @ THE JUNC WITH FOUNTAIN ST, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. LUCKILY THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC STOPPED PREVENTING A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10314926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,100 milesBelingham, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HE NOTICED THAT IT TOOK MORE THAN NORMAL PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL PEDAL WAS INITIALLY DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, AFTER RELEASING THE PEDAL AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL A SECOND TIME, THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1100.
NHTSA complaint #10311806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellisville, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE "LURCH" OR "BRAKE RELEASE" THAT PRIUS OWNERS DESCRIBE HAPPENS - INCONSISTENTLY - IN MY 2009 VENZA WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. TOYOTA JUST BLOWS IT OFF AS IF MY WIFE AND I ARE LYING ABOUT IT. THERE WERE SOME ALIGNMENT ISSUES WITH IT ALSO AND TOYOTA HAS WORKED ON AND/OR "INSPECTED' IT SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10306536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,700 milesNorthboro, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
WHILE DRIVING ABS/VSC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO WARNING TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DESCRIBED PROBLEM OF MY 2009 TOYOTA VENZA WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DUE TO SENSE THAT BRAKE WAS ON. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP I COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE CAR UNTIL I COULD TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, WHERE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WE WERE PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR WHILE CAR WAS EVALUATED AND PARTS REPLACED PART 467011 BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AND 1 47110-0T011 SUPPORT ASSY,BRAKE WE QUESTIONED NEED FOR FAILURE IN A 2009 CAR AND RESPONSE WAS THAT ON AN ASSEMBLY LINE A BAD PART WAS PROBABLY USED. WE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE RESPONSE AND THE FAILURE OF THIS TYPE IN AN OBVIOUSLY SAFETY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10305552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesTuscaloosa, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 VENZA, BRAKE PROBLEMS, TOOK DEALER 3 MONTHS TO CLAIM PROBLEM RESOLVED BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT MY BRAKES ARE OK. I DO NOT THINK THE BRAKES ARE SAFE; I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR. THERE IS STILL A SAFETY PROBLEM. PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF PRIMARILY AT TEMPERATURES 65 OR ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10304638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,100 milesHighland, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
VENZA SPEEDS UP DOES NOT SLOW DOWN. CAN GO FAST WITHOUT STEPPING ON PEDAL. 2009. NOISE IN REAR AND IN FRONT. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10302901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 850 milesLakeland, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WE OWN A 2009 TOYOTA VENZA 4 CYLINDER A/T FWD VEHICLE. ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THIS VEHICLE IS HILL-START ASSIST. ON 7/20/09 WHILE I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON AN UPHILL SLOPE, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND UPON RELEASING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, ALMOST COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE BEHIND US. ON 7/24/09 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WOLFCHASE TOYOTA IN MEMPHIS, TN. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD FOUR DIFFERENT STORIES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA U.S. HEADQUARTERS: THAT A: THE VENZA DID NOT HAVE THE HILL-START ASSIST FEATURE, B: IT DID HAVE THE FEATURE AND WAS WORKING FINE, C: ONLY ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODELS HAD THE FEATURE, AND D: MY CAR HAD THE FEATURE BUT IT DOESN'T ACTIVATE AUTOMATICALLY-YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY ACTIVATE THE FEATURE BY FULLY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL A BEEP IS HEARD AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO SECONDS TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE THE FEATURE TURNS OFF. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE VEHICLE HAS THE HILL-START ASSIST FEATURE BUT DOES NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT ACTIVATING IT MANUALLY. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE MANUAL ACTIVATION BY THE DEALER UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE OR BY TOYOTA WHEN THE SAFETY CONCERN WAS FIRST BROUGHT UP. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SEND OUT A SAFETY NOTICE REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYEES BE BRIEFED ABOUT THE HILL-START ASSIST FEATURE, HOW IT DOESN'T ACTIVATE AUTOMATICALLY, AND HOW TO ACTIVATE THE FEATURE WHEN STOPPED ON AN UPHILL SLOPE.
NHTSA complaint #10278361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.