When driver-side seat warmer is activated there is a strong wire burning smell that fills the vehicle. I noticed that several other models, around the same year, were recalled for the same issue. It appears the 2009 venza also has the same issue and should be included in the recall.
2009 Toyota Venza seats complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 20 of 20, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v743000 (seats). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
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. 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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota venza. The contact stated that the driver seat cushion was lacking support and would cause difficulty when attempting to reach and maneuver the pedals. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and advised the contact that they were unable to repair the vehicle because of the way it was designed. The manufacturer was also contacted and advised the contact to purchase another vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota venza. The contact stated that the head rests on both front seats were moved up too close to the windshield. The head rests make the occupants heads bend down, which makes driving uncomfortable. The toyota manufacturer stated that they moved the head rests for safety purpose in new vehicles. The contact stated that the head rests pose an issue for those who are taller than five feet. The failure mileage was 400 and current mileage was 800. Updated 8/28/09 *cn updated 09/09/09
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