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 SIT…
2009 Toyota Venza powertrain problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
MY 2009 TOYOTA VENZA WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A WHINING, GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING. THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. THE NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE VERY QUICKLY. AFTER MECHANICAL INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SHOT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN FOR LONG DISTANCES BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE DI…
I ACCELERATED TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE,VEHICLE TOOK OFF TO INCREASING ACCELERATION I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC WAS AHEAD OF ME. FINALLY CAR MANAGED TO STOP. I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ASSUMING SOME HOW THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INADVERTENTLY PRESSED BUT NO IT WAS NOT. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Toyota Venza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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