I received a safety recall notice (21TA01) from Toyota for non-deployment of airbags. I scheduled an appointment with Kendall Toyota in Eugene, Oregon. They called me and told me they had to keep my car overnight because they had to special order the part (part # 04001-0590T). The SRS Warning Check Airbag system has been flashing on my dashboard when I have a passenger in my car. The day I dropped the car off they sent me a text trying to add $2000+ in additional services of which I declined as my car only has 89k miles on it and these services were suggested before 125k miles. The next day I receive a text saying my car is ready for pick up. So I went and I picked up the car and the only thing the advisor said to me was the car was "all set". The next time I had a passenger the SRS Check Airbag systems warning light comes on again. So I went back and the service advisor said he had to go talk to his manager. He comes back to tell me that they never actually did the replacement on the vehicle and the warning message is a separate issue that I now have to schedule another appointment to diagnose. Yet the dealership reported to Toyota corporate, who has opened an audit into this incident, that the repair was COMPLETED. When typing my VIN number into this site it also said 0 recalls not completed which is false. The paperwork says no replacement yet says the part is on special order. I think this dealership is committing fraud and certainly were not forthcoming to me about the fact that no work was completed. It seems as though they were selectively speaking to pull one over on me.
Toyota Venza airbag light comes on
14 of the 454 owner complaints about the Toyota Venza describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical mileage
- 92,000
By model year
- 20151
- 20141
- 20135
- 20111
- 20103
- 20093
What owners say
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the horn failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failures were related. However, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
When I open the driver's side when car running, the check SRS airbag system warning light comes on. It also comes on if I start car with door open.
Last December my airbag light came on. I took it to Minot Chrysler Center and Toyota Center and they told me the wires for the airbag under the drivers seat were frayed and needed to be replaced. They also had to replace the harness because they said that too was not working. I had it fixed. Three weeks ago the light went off I made an appointment right away and today they told me it was the same issue and had to replace the wires on the passenger side. I called Toyota and they told me it was up to the discretion of the tech. I called the tech at the Chrysler Center and she told me that they couldn’t do that because they would have to file a report and then deal with Toyota. I was not happy with that response and I said oh so you are telling me that’s too much work and I am on my own. I just ended up paying for it twice now. The drivers side was $594.00 and today’s charges were $485.00. This is a safety issue and should be addressed
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Potential Safety Issue - 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models (the federal safety agency), I am writing to formally report a potential safety concern related to the 2009-2015 Toyota Venza Models. The issue pertains to a discernible creaking sound originating from the turn signal stalk when the turn signals are engaged and the steering wheel is turned. Upon thorough examination, it has been identified that the source of this noise is the clock spring, a crucial airbag component designated by its yellow color and distinguished by two orange and yellow wires. It is imperative to emphasize that the clock spring, being a vital element of the airbag system, plays a pivotal role in ensuring occupant safety. Unfortunately, the persistent "clicking/ratcheting" noise associated with the turn signals in these models has been observed to have adverse consequences over time. This prolonged issue leads to clock spring failure, subsequently triggering the activation of the airbag light. It has come to my attention that Toyota is aware of this concern, yet no remedial action has been taken, purportedly due to the relatively low sales volume of the Venza. It is notable that this noise issue is widespread among used Venzas, signifying a systemic problem that necessitates prompt attention. In circumstances where vital airbag components are intricately connected to sensitive elements like the clock spring, the presence of abnormal noises should be considered a cause for concern. Given the critical role of these components in ensuring the efficacy of the airbag system, I urge the federal safety agency to investigate this matter thoroughly. The safety and well-being of vehicle occupants should always be of paramount importance, irrespective of sales figures. Your intervention in addressing and rectifying this potential safety issue would undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the overall safety standards of the affected Toyota Venza Models.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated, and the check SRS (Supplement Restraint System) message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the error messages were cleared; however, upon placing her purse on the passenger seat, the messages again became displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the driver’s side harness needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V014000 (Air Bags, Seat). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,945.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and opening and closing the front driver’s side door, the SRS warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was previously inspected under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) and no failure was found. The contact stated that the vehicle had recently experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Venza. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clockspring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the repair should be covered. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the passenger’s side seat belt warning light remained illuminated with a passenger in the seat. The contact stated that the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags seat belts warning lights recently started to remain illuminated. The local dealer was contacted about inspecting the vehicle however, the contact declined after being provided a cost to do the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Venza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V257000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: side/window: curtain
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Damaged wires may cause the air bag sensor to become inoperable, preventing the deployment of the side and curtain air bags on the driver side and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver-side front door wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB01/21TA01.
Recall number 21V257000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Remedy
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.
Recall number 13V014000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Venza airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Toyota Venza?
Owners who report it most often also describe no other single symptom.
Which Toyota Venza years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (5 complaints), 2009 (3 complaints) and 2010 (3 complaints).
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