Yours is the second complaint.... First from an 09 owner.......doesn't seem to be a trend.

 

I had a similar situation with my 2002 Camry when it was new. The check engine light came on and they said it was the O2 sensor which they replaced. Two weeks later the light came on again and it was the sensor again which again was replaced. Then about a month went by and the light came on again. When I took it back this time they said there must have been a bad/counterfeit batch of sensors because they were replacing them almost daily. The one that's in there now, Bosch I believe, has been there for 14 years now.

 

[QUOTE=Crumbs79;6774930 Living in a cold climate (southern Quebec) and the winter this year has been pretty wacky (warm to deep cold, warm back to deep cold) it can impact the emission sensors of the car, in fact it has been a problem for them this year.

Surprised to hear that--seems Quebec has been frigid most of the winter. I doubt temperature swings in the winter which on the larger scale (see below) are not that big.,will have a deleterious effect on the sensors. After all they operate fine at -20C (0F for US friends) and 35C (95F)

 

Thanks for the replies :thumbsup:

 

We actually hit -40c (-40F)here this winter and the venza started up and drove fine...but mine is a 2013.

 

It is not a question of not starting, but more the 02 sensors being sensitive to deep cold then going up to mild temps.

Last update I brought it to the Toyota dealer and they change the sensor, and ran a diagnostic on the Venza to verify another other problems that can occur with the sensor and it came clean.

Thanks for all your input.

 

If they are replacing o2 sensors then sounds like p0420 code maybe. Usually they can tell if the o2 is bad by reading the voltages off it, but that doesn't explain the AWD light.


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I wonder if they tie multiple sensors into one set of warning lights to keep the dashboard from looking like a Christmas tree ?

 

This happened to me today. I was out running some errands, 3 or 4 stops, come out of the last one and the engine light and AWD light come on and stay on. Restarting it, the engine light is on immediately and after a few seconds the AWD light comes on. I made an appointment for tomorrow, hopefully it is just the O2 sensor.

 

Just got back from the dealership. Good news is it is the O2 sensor, it's covered under my extended warranty and won't cost me a dime. Bad news is they don't have one in stock so I will have to go back in a few days when it comes in.

 

How many miles on your Venza?

 

Electronics suck. Toyota uses more expensive, accurate sensors than other manufacturers'. It doesn't mean the other sensors are bad but Toyotas data sure runs better using those parts.

Modern ICE has so many electronic sensors. Two O2 and two air/fuel ratio sensors. And they are each $100 or more. These also like to fail together so your down stream sensor will fail and the upstream AFR will fail shortly after. Doesn't happen all the time but it happens regular enough with any manufacturer.

They are extremely finicky. The fuel, driving habits, location can all play a roll in how these electronics work. I've seen sensors fail because they're dirty, poor fuel choice or there is just too much buildup that the sensor can't get an accurate reading. Our first 3Venza lights was due to an O2 that may have been damaged when it was washed (undercarriage). These are sensitive components.

I've had the Venza 3 lights twice for two separate incidents. Both easily fixed for the purchase of the part but you can go to any manufacturer and still get nailed with electrical gremlins. Cars get more reliable but electrical just turns into a nightmare.

 

That's disappointing low mileage for an O2 sensor failure. You would think that they would last longer then that. Aren't all emission related parts warrantied for 80k by Federal law?

 

I've got a question. Is there a general mechanical thread in TN? The V6 in my Venza is close to the same V6 used in a Camry, Tundra, etc. I would assume that the O2 sensors would be the same. Maybe even used on the Lexus's. So wouldn't the same problem you are describing also be in the Camry or Tundra?

 

The best place for that would be the General Discussion Forum.

You are correct though that the engine is common to other cars, here is a list.

from Wiki
Applications (calendar years):

2004–2012 Toyota Avalon (GSX30)
2012–present Toyota Avalon (GSX40)
2006–2012 Toyota Aurion (GSV40)
2005–2012 Toyota RAV4/Vanguard (GSA33/38)
2006–present Toyota Estima/Previa/Tarago (GSR50/55)
2006–2011 Toyota Camry (GSV40)
2011–present Toyota Camry (GSV50)
2006–2012 Lexus ES 350 (GSV40)
2012-present Lexus ES 350 (GSV50)
2007–2009 Lexus RX 350/Toyota Harrier (GSU30/31/35/36)
2009–present Lexus RX 350 (GGL10/15/16)
2007–2014 Toyota Highlander/Kluger (GSU40/45)
2007-2012 Toyota Blade (GRE156)
2007-2013 Toyota Mark X Zio (GGA10)
2008–present Toyota Alphard/Vellfire (GGH20/25)
2008–present Toyota Venza (GGV10/15)
2009–present Lotus Evora (280ps & 350Nm using Lotus engine management, Sport Pack package redline increased to 7000rpm)
2006–present Toyota Sienna (GSL20/23/25/30/33/35)
Toyota Corolla (E140/E150) (for Super GT use)
Lotus Evora GTE (modified 4 litre version with 470 hp N/A for race use in the ALMS and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans)
Supercharged (calendar years):

2007-2009 TRD Aurion (TRD supercharger)
2011–present Lotus Evora S (345 hp, 295 lb-ft)
2012 Lotus Exige S (345 hp, 295 lb-ft)

I'm sure if you search in any of the Forums for these cars you will find posts about bad O2 sensors.

 

This is the Federal emissions warranty I was talking about: http://www3.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f15035.pdf Nissan had to replace both of my cats & the O2 sensors when they failed within a few miles of each other with over 77,000 miles on the truck.

 

If the O2 goes the AFR (upstream) can go as well. If the MAF sensor is dirty at all then they can all go as well. You could always try cleaning the sensors with O2/MAF cleaner. I was lucky the second time when a $10 cleaner fixed a $120+ part.

On my tC a bug was stuck on my MAF. That was enough to shut my car down at times. Electronics are the bane if modern cars. Its just going to get worse.

 

Tried cleaning the MAF and the throttle body since I was in there, but it didn't help. I just got back from the dealership and they said it was the bank 2 O2 sensor, which they don't have in stock, and they will change it at no charge as a good will gesture. WTF does that mean, I have platinum extended warranty which covered the replacement of the other sensor and should cover this one.

The Service Manger went on to say that the tech had a hard time keeping communication between the code reader and the ECM and it could be because of one of my mods. I asked him how adding a ground wire to the turn signal stalk would cause this and he said, it wouldn't, but my remote start communicates with the ECM and it could be the issue. I pointed out to him that this "Aftermarket Remote Starter" was installed by the dealership, before I picked up my Venza, since they did not recommend the OEM one for various reasons and was told it would not cause any warranty issues. At that point he said "well let's get the engine light issue fixed first, then we'll worry about the ECM communication issue". He said the part should be in tomorrow, so I'll probably go back on Wednesday, I'll post a follow up with results.

 

So the dealership replaced the 2nd O2 sensor and the lights are back off. On the work order, they actually put "will change it at no charge as a good will gesture for this one time" and then in the additional comments, they noted "doesn't have a factory approved floor mat on the driver side and it is not mounted properly. Toyota recommends use of only Factory floor mat." (I have the laser fitted WeatherTech mats). So I guess if I ever have transmission trouble, they will blame it on my floor mats!:rofl:

 

LOL seriously?


If the dealer ever said that to me I would probably lose it! If anything the WT mats are better, I had the OEM rubber Venza mats and even with them secured by the seat the front portion would always move around.


I need to take my Venza in for its first oil change since I bought it, I almost don't know what to expect! I had bought the extended warranty as well, or as they say "good will gesture" warranty haha

 

The floor mat is in place because of the whole braking fiasco. Our Venza has cheap rubber mats that came on it and when I took her in for servicing they wrote that down as well. Probably as a note for owner and that they checked it and won't take responsibility if anything should happen.

 

It could be that you had a lemon Venza and hope the best for you from now on and just the O2 sensor. I bought my 09 Venza used in Toronto and drove back to Calgary up until now. The only thing had failed me is the rear left speed sensor ( out of warranty, fixed myself) and the rear differential leak ( fixed by stampede Toyota and the tech screwed my parking brake cable. Another reason why I left Toyota dealer for repairs for good. Other than that, everything seem fine.

In Calgary, temp is up and down during day time and night time even in summer. few days of a weird chinook effect. the car starts up just fine at -43 degree Celsius.

My matrix has almost 220,000 Km is still fine and I abuse my baby-trix like no tomorrow, not that often anymore. I took her across Toronto to Vancouver, Northwest Ter., Saskachewan and manitoba ( like driving inside the provice and not passing.

I cannot say for all cars since I only own the 2 Toyota.

 

I also have a 2011 Venza where the Check Engine and AWD indicators came on and stayed on. Just got word back from Toyota Service department that the thermostat has gone out (is staying open). $380 to fix :-(