Venza Fuel Consumption Hard Starting

Hey, I have a Venza too, although I can't remember the year offhand. What you're describing sounds eerily familiar to an issue I had last year. The increased fuel consumption and hard starting were exactly the same. Have you checked for any vacuum leaks around the intake manifold? Also, what about the throttle position sensor? If that sensor is sending incorrect data, it can definitely mess with the air-fuel mixture and cause those symptoms.

Thank you for the quick response! I haven't specifically checked for vacuum leaks around the intake manifold, but I will definitely add that to my list. As for the throttle position sensor, how can I test if it's sending incorrect data? Is that something I can do with a multimeter, or would I need a more specialized diagnostic tool? I would like to rule out all possibilities before visiting a workshop.

Okay, so checking for vacuum leaks can be done visually and with a can of carb cleaner – spray small amounts around the intake manifold gasket and listen for changes in the engine idle. As for the throttle position sensor (TPS), you could test its resistance with a multimeter while slowly opening and closing the throttle. The resistance should change smoothly without any dead spots. But honestly, based on your symptoms, it really does sound like a defective accelerator pedal module, which ended up being my issue. I would suggest taking your car to a mechanic who can diagnose it properly with professional tools.

I appreciate your help and useful advice! I followed your suggestion and took my Venza to a local workshop. They confirmed that the accelerator pedal module was indeed defective and needed replacement. The total repair cost was 205€, which is less than I feared. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!