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By Jeff Teague Dec 14 2020 - 7:44pm

Does Your 2021 Toyota Venza Have Remote Engine Start? We Have Answers

We tell you how to get remote start on your 2021 Venza and how to use it.
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One of most common questions I get from my “Toyotajeff” YouTube channel viewers is about remote start. You know, the ability to remotely start your engine using your vehicle key fob. People want to know if their particular model has it, and if not, how they can get it.

Remote start is such a convenient feature, especially when the weather is hot and humid or freezing cold.

I have written previous stories for Torque News about remote engine start. You might have this already on a Toyota 4Runner. And, also on a Toyota RAV4. You might not even know you have it.

But what about Toyota Venza?

2021 Toyota Venza

2021 Toyota Venza LE Ruby Flare Pearl profile view

You may remember Toyota Venza from years past. It was manufactured in the United States from 2009-2015.

Now it makes its return, although pretty much in name only. You see, this all-new 2021 Venza is entirely different from its predecessor. This Venza is elegant and luxury and high-technology. And Venza is all-hybrid.

All trim levels (LE, XLE, Limited) are offered solely as an all-hybrid, all all-wheel drive. The 2021 Toyota Venza is powered by the combination of electric motors and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 219 horsepower.

Remote Start and 2021 Toyota Venza

2021 Toyota Venza Limited Harbor Gray profile and front end

Good news for buyers in the market for a 2021 Venza. Your vehicle comes equipped with remote engine start. And you can perform this function in two different ways.

First, you can start your car from your key fob. Simply stand in front of your car and click “Lock” and “Lock” and then hold down “Lock” again. Wait for the lights to flash and it should start your engine running. Remember, since this Venza is a hybrid, it will start from electric motors first before the gasoline engine starts.

My included video shows how to start your engine for LE, XLE and Limited trim levels. I hope you find it helpful.

You can also start your engine using your smart phone. Download the “Toyota” app and register your new 2021 Venza. Your Remote Connect feature will allow you to start and stop your engine, check your fuel level, track your car’s location and see if you left any windows or doors unlocked right from your phone.

Time for your thoughts on 2021 Toyota Venza

I encourage you to try this “Lock, Lock, (hold down) Lock” process on your current vehicle and report back if it works.

This function works on other makes in addition to Toyota. You may just have it.

I am impressed with how the new Venza looks and how it drives. I find it to be smooth and comfortable both at city and highway cruising speeds.

Are you in the market for a new vehicle and could Toyota Venza be on your list? Have you owned a Venza in the past and what did you think of it?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I show the differences between a 2021 Tacoma SR5 and Trail Edition.

Follow Jeff Teague on social media:

- My Toyotajeff.com website
- My Torque News / Toyota News column
- YouTube channel - My "Toyotajeff" Toyota reviews
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- Twitter @toyotajeff1

Thank you everyone for following me.

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Comments

Pamela Smith wrote on December 18, 2020 - 8:03am
As this is not always as easy as you make it look, often I just give up on my 2021 Venza Limited. Also when using the remote start within my Toyota app. I am told it won't start because "preconditions" have not been met? Other than the doors being locked, what conditions prevent the car from starting with command from app?
Shannon Sakalas wrote on December 27, 2020 - 11:33pm
I too could not remote start my 2021 Venza with my key fob. I wish Jeff would reply whether the key fob remote start should work even without the Toyota Connect App! Toyota is not transparent as to this point and the information available is in conflict. Please Jeff help!
TJ wrote on July 11, 2021 - 3:45pm
Hello! I just got a 2021 LE and this remote start method (lock, lock, hold lock) has worked for me most times. I do not have the app connected yet as the car keeps telling me the code Toyota emailed is invalid. :(
CHARLES POCKRAS wrote on February 4, 2022 - 10:38pm
This happens to me all the time. About one out of three times the Toyota app actually starts the car. I have a call into brand management and they are to call me Monday
CHeryl Foster wrote on December 28, 2020 - 2:42pm
I’ve been trying to start my 2021 Venza XLE with the key fob like you said,but it doesn’t work. Do I need to have it programmed or something?
True2BSU wrote on December 31, 2020 - 10:39am
Just got my wife a new Venza for Christmas. We can't get the remote start to work either. We also don't have the Toyota app installed yet. Should that matter?
Josephine wrote on January 10, 2021 - 10:46pm
A week ago, I purchased a 2021 Venza Limited. I have tried the remote Starter on several occasions. All in vain. It does not work. Disappointing. I have to go back to the dealership.
yolanda benjami... wrote on January 13, 2021 - 2:14am
My key fob doesnt remotely work in the 2021 Venza. We tried it at least 3 times. Lock lock and hold lock for about 6 secs
Lilred wrote on July 13, 2021 - 7:38pm
Hold lock longer the third time, wait for lights to flash. I have been successful with this method on my new Venza (3 days old)
Phillip wrote on January 27, 2021 - 2:36pm
Hello, When will you have a video for Sienna 2021 with engine remote starter? How far can you control it and once it on, how can you turn it off with the same smart key? Would be nice to see more of other features on Platinum. Thank you very much.
Anthony Natale wrote on February 2, 2021 - 2:17pm
I also have trouble starting it with the key fob my second issue is that it doesn’t run long enough live in north eastern PA doesn’t defrost my glass
Phillip wrote on February 5, 2021 - 10:05pm
How long will my Toyota engine run after I active remote start? Your Toyota will idle for a total of 10 minutes before going into automatic shutdown. If you would like your Toyota to idle for longer than 10 minutes, you have the option to press the remote starter again sometime within the first 10 minutes to extend the idle for 10 additional minutes. With this feature, your Toyota has the capability to idle for a total of 20 minutes. If your Toyota idles for a full 20 minutes, it will shut down automatically and must be manually started. (Copy from Ackerman Toyota Web site) . Hello Anthony Natale, You have to practice several times to get used to it. It took me more than ten tries before I could get it going. Press lock, lock and hold the lock on the third time for more than 10 second. You can not miss any rhythm. For example, if you press; Lock... then lock, lock it doesn't work. Or if your press Lock, lock... then lock it won't work either. Another word is you must press the lock key with a rhythm and look at the flashing lights on your car . . . Lock, lock, lock hold down lock on the third time. You will see the first 3 times flashing lights as you press it along, then if it is accepted, it will flash 6 times again, pause for a moment, then flash 8 more times before it starts running. . It is nice to have the remote engine starter come with the "smart" key. However, you must stand within 25 feet in order to make it work. Not like the cheap old style I have on a 2009 Sienna, although I have to carry an extra remote control, but with one press I can start the car no matter where I am and how far. A block away is no problem. I can ask the installer to set from 12, 15 to 25 or even 30 minutes depending on what you need for. I used to live in a natural frigidaire box in Windy City near lake Michigan. I know how you feel. Now, if you want it stop all you have to do is press and hold the lock button key again. Or simply just open the door with your hand. One "smart" idea is if I can come that close to the car, I then don't need a remote for it. . I don't know why with all the technology nowadays, Toyota made the remote control only work without any obstruction. For example, a garage door could limit its performance. Therefore, every morning I have to sit near the car to turn it on while I wear my shoes in the middle of winter time. So I came up with a tiny solution. I stand in front of my Laptop which I use for home security cameras, I attach an empty USB wire into that laptop, then use the other end of that USB wire press closer to the smart key as an extra long antenna then watch the screen monitor to turn on my car. "Wala". . . , its works. One thing I don't like is when the car already starts up, all the outside lights on the car shut off. This way I don't know if it is still on or if it is already off from far away. Unless your security camera looks directly inside your car to see the dashboard display lights are on. Hope this will answer you somehow.
Neel wrote on February 28, 2021 - 3:52am
Everyone excited to read this and try and it doesn't work :). Same here. Don't worry....install the toyota app on your phone, register and start the connected services trial. Then you can start your venza with the phone as well as the remote. That's how it worked for me. Good Luck ! Awesome features even in the base model !
Phillip wrote on March 3, 2021 - 11:06pm
- Neel wrote on February 28, 2021 - 3:52am - "Don't worry....install the toyota app on your phone, register and start the connected services " " TRAIL" " .?!?! . - How much does it cost you every month after that to start your car? Thanks a lot !
Liz wrote on March 8, 2021 - 11:22am
8.00 a month or 80.00 for a year.
Frances Shaw wrote on March 17, 2021 - 7:04pm
I have the limited Venza. My app on my phone will remote start it, but my key fob will not.
Julie wrote on June 8, 2021 - 7:42pm
I got it to work. It's really hard for me to tell if the engine is running though. I wish it had some other signal - like interior light goes on.
Michael Carey wrote on July 6, 2021 - 12:52am
Very disappointed with Toyota having a limited trial for remote start. Spend about $40,000 for a new car with "smarts". After a year, you must subscribe to continue to use the features... I wasn't told that when I bought the car. Also, it was not properly prepared by the dealer before leaving the lot. I found out the hard way that unless the safety features are on, don't expect the proximity sensors to warn you of things in your blind spot. After repairs by my body shop (not Toyota) they "reset" the safety system to the factory settings. We got all kinds of new "beeps" and warnings that we did not have the first few months of ownership. When I complained to Toyota, a lawyer responded for Toyota with a form letter (they had the right address but the wrong person on the "Dear ..." part of the letter) that said that the customer must have turned off the safety features. First, we received no training on how to do that, and second, who in their right mind would disable safety features??? I don't think my next car will be Toyota, even given the nice build and ride....
Michael Carey wrote on July 14, 2021 - 1:48am
Thanks for the tip on how to use the fob to remote start (I guess if it is a 2020 or newer it works this way) by three quick taps to the lock button and hold on the third tap. Works well when you are in range.
Lurie R wrote on February 12, 2022 - 8:30pm
For car camping in colder weather with Venza hybrid - does anyone know how to lock the sorts once inside in the back?
Eugene wrote on November 16, 2022 - 8:13am
Does the remote start fuction come for only one year? I bought my 2021 venza xle last year, had no problem to start with my key during past winter. I found out that it doesn't work anymore today.