2008 Toyota RAV4 Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Side/window
  8
• Frontal
  2
• Sensor › Occupant classification
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  25%
• 25k–50k
  717%
• 50k–75k
  1024%
• 75k–100k
  1126%
• 100k–150k
  1024%
• 150k+
  25%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The issue relates to the spiral cable assembly in my 2008 Toyota RAV4, which falls under Safety Recall 14V-168. According to the recall documentation, this part may fail, which could affect the vehicle's safety features, including the airbag system. My vehicle is potentially affected by this recall, as it falls within the specified VIN range, but after contacting Toyota Customer Support, I was informed that my vehicle is not eligible for the recall, despite meeting the criteria outlined in the official recall notice. This inconsistency puts my safety at risk, as the failure of the spiral cable could lead to the malfunction of the airbag system. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, as I have not yet been able to have the issue inspected or repaired. …

My airbag light came on and I received a letter saying there was a recall but unfortunately I threw out the letter and when I called Toyota said there was a recall but it was fixed in 2012 when I didn't own the vehicle and it seems like it didn't last long because my airbags are not working so this will be the last time I buy a Toyota!! Thanks for Nothing

Vehicle was in motion on a 3-lane city street, crossing a two-lane intersection. Vehicle was struck broadside at the passenger rear quarter panel, spun around 720 degrees before coming to rest. Vehicle driver side curtain airbags failed to deploy during accident. Passenger side curtain airbags did deploy, only driver with no passengers in vehicle at time of accident. Driver did get pushed into driver's door/window during the accident, but was uninjured. 3 attached pictures show damage to vehicle passenger side rear quarter panel and passenger side airbag deployment. No driver side curtain airbags deployed.

I'm telling what happened with help of passengers in car with me. I was the driver and received approximately 3 inch laceration to back of forehead which required 10 staples. I lost consciousness and don't remember what happened. The passengers state I pulled out and truck was coming and it hit me. My car is totaled. I was hit on front passenger's side (the whole front of car was torn off. They say we spun around several times and was hit again by truck over the back tire and back end. Was told by trooper and tow guy the air bags should have deployed. It was a really bad accident.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Toyota RAV4. While driving 40 MPH, the steering seized and the vehicle crashed into a building. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The occupant sustained left and right broken arms, stitches, and a broken rotator cuff. Medical attention was received at west chester medical center. A police report was filed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

2021 I was involved in a collision on the highway and my airbag did not deploy but airbag light remained on dash board even after repairing clockspring and attempting to reset airbag.

Was at a complete stop at a signal. Had foot on the brake. Engine surged to approx 6500 RPM plowed into the vehicle in front of me. I climbed on the other vehicle. Car would not stop moving until I turned and pulled out the key from the ignition. Airbags did not go off. Reported incident to tarpon city officer, while the accident report was written up. My daughter and I were pretty banged up. Don't know if the other vehicle reported injuries. The rav was not drivable. Had to have it towed to suntoyota for repairs. Reported incident to sun Toyota service and body shop dec 22, they asked me what I wanted done about the problem. Called Toyota [phone] case #[redacted], 12/22/11 promised to call back in 24 hrs case worker [redacted]. Talked to [redacted] at Toyota headquarter in california. Still waiting for a response from Toyota. I don't feel safe in this vehicle now. …

The vehicle was taken in to replace a defective emergency break cable on 1/13/16. The vehicle was repaired at a local shop and when the vehicle was getting removed from the repair stall the side curtain air bags deployed. The vehicle was started and shifted into reverse, as the vehicle was shifted into reverse the side curtain air bags deployed. The vehicle was stationary on a flat floor at the time of the air bag deployment. I contacted Toyota and they inspected the vehicle on1/27/16, they concluded that the air bag system was operating properly at the time of the incident. A safety recall boe-curtain shield air bag sensor was completed on the vehicle on 1/19/12 according to the letter I received from Toyota after there inspection. I realize that Toyota only read the event recorder. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was sitting in a residential garage when it was started and all frontal and rear curtain airbags deployed. The housing for the curtain air bags flew across the vehicle and there was damage to the pet element, leather interior and front and passenger sides of the vehicle. A passenger sustained severe lacerations to the left hand from the seat belt tightening around the hand upon deployment. Another passenger sustained burns to the chest from the explosion. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer and the event data recorder determined that the vehicle sensor malfunctioned and reacted as if the vehicle was involved in a seventy degree lateral rollover within 4.2 seconds of starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 19,500.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to j.wolf Toyota where they diagnosed the failure as a part of the recall however the updated remedy was unavailable. The technician replaced the original spiral cable with a spiral cable of the same design and advised that the recall would still need to be addressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that due to the work being performed during the interim notice they removed the contact's vehicle from the recall. The failure mileage was 86,330.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other RAV4 years