Prism Mirror

**vavenza** · 07-06-2010, 10:46 AM

When I was shopping for my venza in VA, I saw in NC you could get dual prism side mirrors on the venza. I have not been able to find them, at a dealer online, anything to purchase and put on my venza. The mirror actually has the convex blind spot mirror built into the top corner. It is an awesome mirror. I actually drove with it on the Ford Edge. Any help?

**Kiwi** · 08-07-2010, 03:03 AM

this would be great if anyone knew about this as the blind spot on the Venza is significant and I would be very interested in something like above.

**bobblerv** · 08-19-2010, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by Kiwi

this would be great if anyone knew about this as the blind spot on the Venza is significant and I would be very interested in something like above.

BLIND SPOT: Venza:
BLIND SPOT: Venza:
BLIND SPOT: Venza:

I cant believe people are not screaming from mountain tops about the blind spots on the venza.. I am not a troll, and rarely post such negative remarks (I feel strongly about this because its dangerous, and inexcusable to let this whopper of a safety issue pass).. I feel cheated on my purchase (I didnt realize the blind spots were so bad at first.. perhaps because it is a "blind spot)." My previous car was a 2000 avalon, and I trusted the mirrors and never had a problem (10 years).. The first month I owned the venza I watched my GF almost get in an accident because of the blind spot, and I have people honking at me (in a way I dont remember "ever" happening with the avalon (yes: because of the blind spot).. I find it very hard to believe toyota is spending a million dollars a minute (day or whatever the TV commercial said) for safety, because to overlook this whopper seems very odd. Unless the definition of safety is anything toyota could be sued for.. Also when trying to make a turn greater than 90 degrees, you are completely screwed if you pull out partway then stop at an angle, because then you cannot see to complete the turn. No driver should ever be in this position, because it is very dangerous (and it happens to "you" by surprise).. This car should be recalled to correct this blind spot.. I am afraid to let my GF drive it.. And when I drive I find my self getting an aerobic workout constantly trying to check the blind spots (which I fear will lead to an accident when I get tired).. Three months and I am still uncomfortable with the blind spots. I saw a lexus with double size mirrors (maybe that is some kind of fix they should implement on the toyotas).

bobbler

**Tip** · 08-20-2010, 10:56 AM

With properly adjusted mirrors I do not find the Venza to have a blind spot significantly different than most any other vehicle I've driven in the past 40 years.

Properly adjust the mirrors, turn your head, be aware of what's around you. Its not a vehicle problem its a driver problem.

**Slvregl** · 08-20-2010, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tip

With properly adjusted mirrors I do not find the Venza to have a blind spot significantly different than most any other vehicle I've driven in the past 40 years.

Properly adjust the mirrors, turn your head, be aware of what's around you. Its not a vehicle problem its a driver problem.

Tip,
Couldn't have said it better myself.
If you want to see a "Blind Spot" drive an 18 wheeler for a while.

**bobblerv** · 08-20-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Tip

With properly adjusted mirrors I do not find the Venza to have a blind spot significantly different than most any other vehicle I've driven in the past 40 years.

Properly adjust the mirrors, turn your head, be aware of what's around you. Its not a vehicle problem its a driver problem.

You must work for toyota, or be driving a different venza. Or perhaps my previous car had superior visibility (highlighting the blnd spot issue for me). But with toyota spending millions on safety, it seems obvious to me blind spots shouldnt be an issue. I never dreamed someone would say there is no problem (makes me wonder if you even own the car)..

I have been driving 40 years, so I know how to adjust mirrors. I have driven trucks, motorcycles, tractors and vans.. And I can tell you without a doubt the 2010 venza mirror viability is like driving a truck, but without the extra truck mirrors. Even the inside rearview mirror is in the way in the venza (it directly blocks my view of the cars in front of me on circular expressway ramps.. and it cannot be adjusted out of the way as the avalon could). Furthermore I sat in both the avalon and venza to make sure I wanst imagining it, and as I expected, I saw whole cars disappear when sitting in the venza (where I could always see 1/2 a car in the avalon. And on top of this, when you turn your head to directly check the blind spot, there is a large door post in the way too.

Do you also think there is no problem with smoking cigarettes? I would rather be safer, rather than less safe.

bobbler

**Nitemare** · 11-14-2010, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by vavenza

When I was shopping for my venza in VA, I saw in NC you could get dual prism side mirrors on the venza. I have not been able to find them, at a dealer online, anything to purchase and put on my venza. The mirror actually has the convex blind spot mirror built into the top corner. It is an awesome mirror. I actually drove with it on the Ford Edge. Any help?

Here is some information if you are still looking . . .

TOYOTA Venza - PRIZM MIRROR KIT
Part Number: 00016-0T002
Accessory Code: MB1

Kit Contents
Item # Quantity Reqd. Description
1 1 Left Prizm Mirror (00016-0T002-01)
2 1 Right Prizm Mirror (00016-0T002-02)

**Kiwi** · 11-15-2010, 12:55 AM

Thanks Nitemare for the info - the blind spot is really bad - far worse than we initially thought and is one of the factors leading us to consider selling our venza, the other is the ride quality. My wife does not feel comfortable or safe driving the venza, especially at night because of the significant blind spot. since this is a safety issue it would be interesting to know if toyota would replace the mirrors with the prism kit as part of a customer service initiative.

I have the mirrors correctly adjusted (not being able to see the sides of the venza unless I lean back) - still when changing lanes on a busy freeway we find ourselves having to check the mirrors far more than any other vehicle we have owned and requires turning around to look to ensure there is no-one right at our side. This is a big error that one would think toyota would have picked up on and not allowed a car to go into production with such a big safety issue left unresolved.

I agree with you bobblerv - I am surprised there has not been more people complaining about this issue

Tip - no disrespect intended on your comment - Properly adjust the mirrors, turn your head, be aware of what's around you. Its not a vehicle problem its a driver problem - (we should all do this anyway) but I have to agree with others - the Venza's blindspot, IMO, is significantly worse than any vehicle I have owned and I have owned over 40 vehicles so far. This is my first Toyota, though I had the use of a toyota in a company I managed, it was part of our fleet and was a good car. I have also driven a fully loaded 18 wheeler with an attached trailer while overseas and on the other side of the road. With the large mirrors adjusted correctly it had less of a blind spot than our venza.

thanks again Nitemare for the info - Kiwi.

**PA Venza** · 11-15-2010, 09:30 AM

I bought a stick-on prism mirror at the hardware store for $1.97, placed it in the lower right corner of the driver's mirror, and now have no issues. Been on for 3 months, through car washes, still there. Works great, never a blind spot. If people really feel this is a safety issue, don't wait for Toyota to correct it. It doesn't appear this blind spot exists for all body sizes, so I will be surprised to see Toyota recall for this. And the blind spot on the Venza is no worse than the blind spot on my 2000 JeepGC that I traded.