Problems · by component

2008 Toyota RAV4 air bags problems

58 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota RAV4 cite air bags, 10% of all 575 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
58
10% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2026Air bagsODI 11730948
“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. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives at this time. There have been no warning lamps or messages related to this issue prior to my inquiry, as the recall issue was identified through the NHTSA database and Toyota’s recall records.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11654273
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11540959
“I HAD JUST GOTTEN IN MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO GO START IT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON!!! THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. NO REASON AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS SHOULD OF DEPLOYED SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY STATIONARY. I HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AT ALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2019Air bagsODI 11241603
“MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN FIXED AND THEN I STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPATION DETECTOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS NOT REGISTERING THAT THERE IS AN OCCUPANT OVER 1/2 THE TIME. SINCE THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR (ABOUT 500$) I TAKE IT TO HEART KNOWING MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AT ALL TIMES. I DO HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND THIS IS OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A PART THAT AN OWNER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. EVERY NOW AND THEN IT WILL FUNCTION BUT IT'S BEEN ON SOLID FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. HENCE MY EMAIL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2019Air bags, Seats, Unknown or otherODI 11190561
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AVONDALE TOYOTA (10005 PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, PHONE: (877) 554-6890) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2017Air bagsODI 11048694

Showing 6 of 58 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

Air bagsReported Apr 9, 2014NHTSA 14V168000

Air bags

Remedy pending

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED.

Air bagsReported Apr 21, 2011NHTSA 11V245000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.