Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall, my rear swerved as I moved right to avoid a head on collision, my chest hit the steering wheel so hard that I broke 6 ribs including my sternum because the airbags didn't deploy until after the impact , I also saw another recall that was announced 2 or 3 days after my accident which resulted in a total loss which was the rear suspension needed to be replaced because it could cause an accident I reported this to NHTSA and was given a reference number10937800, please keep me updated this is horrible that these people knowingly put faulty parts on a vehicle, I am still afraid to drive I felt my car shaking and blamed it on the roads, the wind, anything because I didn't want to believe someone would sell a vehicle knowing it was not safe
December 8, 2017, in 2010 RAV4, about 27 MPH heading forward, hit head-on, (city street) 12th st. Nw, albuquerque. Other driver dui (blew 2.6 about 1 hr later), wrong-way in my lane, drove silverado, seemed to speed up upon impact, attempted to keep going but silverado hooked into braked rav. My car was pushed backward about 40 ft., according to police officers. Shocking sound and feeling upon impact. My air bag deployed, but did not deflate--instead, it exploded. Have had breathing problems since, exacerbation of asthma, burning feeling in ears, other symptoms. I did not know that the air bag was supposed to deflate. Adjuster agrees it exploded, but does not know if he has a photo of the exploded air bag. He will look through his photos.
I was involved in an accident when my RAV4 pulled to over the right side of the road causing the vehicle to strike a tree causing 7 broken ribs and it totaled my car .I saw a recall that was issued in September that the rear tire rods can cause you to lose control causing a crash recently and I know that was the reason for this crash I drive this road frequently and have never had an issue until August 11th my both arms were injured and my chest and shoulder had scrapes and cuts to which I blame on the manufacturer, I am still recovering from my injury and also believe the airbag didn't deploy in time because out of the 7 broken ribs my sternum bone was broken from the steering wheel!!
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Toyota RAV4. While at stop sign, another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle. A third vehicle struck the front end of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt unhooked independently. A police report was filed. The driver sustained mouth injuries from hitting the steering wheel, as well as neck, back, and wrist injuries. Medical attention was required. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. Updated 11/01/16
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at approximate 30 MPH, the rear swerved causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into a pole and the driver frontal air bag failed to deploy causing the contact to fracture several ribs. The contact also wanted to stated that NHTSA campaign number: 13V383000 was performed however, the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. While driving 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The front two tires continued to spin even after the vehicle was placed in the park position. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 05/10/17
We hit a deer while doing 45 to 50 MPH on a local 2 lane highway. Damage was major and was mostly to the passenger front but we were able to drive it home (about a mile). Airbags did not deploy as intended and did not prevent passenger from hitting head on window trim. Passenger was taken to the hospital for head abrasion and neck pain. She was treated and released. As a note the airbag light is staying lit at instrument cluster and seat belts did not lock in place. We are awaiting a visit from the insurance adjuster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. While driving 70 MPH, there were blocks of ice on the road that caused the contact to crash into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired, but the details were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,522.
Tl* the contact leased a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 23 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of his vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder. The rear passenger sustained injuries to her left breast. The police were contacted and a report was available. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was pending an investigation. The manufacturer was contacted and they were also pending investigation. The failure and current mileages were approximately 4,000. .updated 02/25/13 the consumer has since traded the vehicle, because the lease was ending. Updated 05/23/13 updated 04/23/14.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash where the airbags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the air bags were replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,230 and current mileage was 45,000. Updated 06/05/14 the consumer stated the incident occured on March 29th. The driver was exiting froma drive through at a bank, driving 5mph. A second vehicle crashed into the front right side of the consumer's vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle was poorly repaired. The vehicle was traded in. Updated 06/09/2014
Airbag complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the model year's 400 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota RAV4 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2010 Toyota RAV4, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota RAV4 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 18 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.