2007 Toyota RAV4 Air Bags
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
WE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE RECALL NOTICE FOR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. WHEN RETURNING HOME AFTER SERVICE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. THE TOYOTA DEALER TESTED IT AND SAID IT WAS THE MAIN CLOCKSPRING. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AND IT LASTED A NUMBER OF MONTHS BEFORE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON FREQUENTLY. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TESTED BY THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS (TWO TOYOTA DEALERS) AND THEY ALL SAID THAT THE ONLY INDICATION THEY GET WHEN THEY TEST THE SYSTEM IS THE OLD, PREVIOUSLY FIXED CLOCKSPRING FAILURE INDICATOR AND ALL SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS WE DON'T KNOW IF OUR AIRBAG SYSTEM IS WORKING OR NOT AND WHETHER OR NOT IT COULD GO OFF ANYTIME. IT ALSO MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SELL THE CAR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THAT SRS AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLES DRIVER AIRBAG IS INOPERATIVE. TOOK INTO TOYOTA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A BAD SPIRAL CABLE/CLOCK SPRING, AND AIRBAG MODULE ACTUATOR. WAS QUOTED REPAIR PRICE OF $ 1297.00. WHEN I CALLED THEM BACK ASKING FOR THE 2 ERROR CODES READ IN DIAGNOSTICS, A DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED IT WAS ONLY 1 CODE, B1801, WHICH IS FOR SPIRAL CABLE, AND NOT AIRBAG ACTUATOR TOO. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE, AND REPAIRED BY TOYOTA, SINCE MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG IS INOPERATIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,500.
2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG SENSOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO HER LOCAL DEALER, THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL, AND THEREFORE, THEY CHARGED HER FOR THE INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND AFTER SRS DIAGNOSIS TEST FOUND CLOCK SPRING BAD. ESTIMATED REPAIR $522.50. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG LAMP WAS A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A COLLISION. TOYOTA QUOTED ~$600 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN MATERIALS / WORKMANSHIP AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. INTERNET RESEARCH DISCOVERED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE TUNDRA FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
ON JULY 25TH I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON SINCE LAST FRIDAY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS A CODE ON THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS B1801. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST RAV4'S. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS SO COMMON AMONGST RAV4S. I KNOW IT WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $600 TO FIX THIS. PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS. MY EMAIL IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER., WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.*TR
AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT CAME ON. PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS OFF EVEN WITH A PASSENGER. PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHES EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS FULLY BELTED. ISSUE CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS BEEN RARELY USED IN THE LAST YEAR. ISSUE APPARENTLY VERY COMMON ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS ONLINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAG) BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION WAS NOT CAUSED BY RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,652.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE HAS FAILED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS YEARLY MANDATED NH STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO THIS CONDITION AS ALL OF THE AIRBAGS ARE INOPERABLE. I HAVE SCHEDULED THIS TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE $440.00. UNTIL THIS CONDITION CAN BE REPAIRED I HAVE PARKED THIS VEHICLE AS I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY EXPOSED TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS FAILURE AS I SEE FROM OTHER RESOURCES THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE FOR THE RAV-4. *TR
MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WENT ON. RIGHT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS A RECALL FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THERE COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT TURNING ON. WHEN I CHECKED WITH TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR SOMETHING ELSE RELATED TO AIRBAG SENSOR AND THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH CAR'S CLOCK SPRING AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, I WAS WARNED THAT AIRBAGS WON'T WORK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. HOW COULD AN INTERNAL PART STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ANY USER INTERACTION. AND IF IT HAPPENED SO DUE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, TOYOTA SHOULD BE PROMPT TO OFFER A RECALL FOR SUCH A SAFETY INTENSIVE PART. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 155,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED A PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT CODED B1801, A MESSAGE TO REPLACE A SPIRAL CABLE. SINCE THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE AIRBAGS TO BE INOPERABLE, I HAD THEM REPAIR THE PROBLEM CABLE. WHEN I LOOK ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH OTHER OWNERS AND IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V245000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIR BAGS STILL WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REPLACED, AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
CONSOLE AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND STAYS ON. COINCIDENTLY THIS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUE CAME ABOUT AFTER HAVING TAKEN CAR INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AROUND SEPT 2012 FOR A RECALL. THE RECALL HAD SOMETHING DO WITH FAULTY ROLL-OVER SENSOR FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SYSTEMS. TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AFTER DTC CHECK, THE CAUSE TURNED OUT TO BE A SHORTED SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY UNIT FOR THE SRS DRIVER AIRBAG. REPLACEMENT JOB REQUIRED TWO HOURS OF LABOR BY TECH, COSTING $210, $307 PART AND "SUPPLIES AND WASTE DISPOSAL" FEE OF $25.88. ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCH, IT IS SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN CASES OF DEFECTIVE SPIRAL CABLE UNIT FOR TOYOTA RAV 4 CAUSING SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM TO GO INTO "INACTIVE" MODE THEREFORE LEAVING DRIVERS/PASSENGERS WITHOUT ANY PROTECTION AND THEREBY CREATING LIFE THREATENING SCENARIO. THEREFORE, THERE IS CLEAR AND STRONG NEED FOR THE NHTSA TO CONTACT TOYOTA CORPORATION TO INITIATE A RECALL ACTION TARGETING THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY UNIT (84306-22010). IN RECENT PAST, "TOYOTA IS RECALLING 495,000 CERTAIN 2005 TO EARLY 2009 MODEL YEAR TOYOTA TACOMA VEHICLES SOLD IN THE U.S. NO OTHER VEHICLES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL". *TR
2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNING THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG SENSOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOTICE STATED THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. HOWEVER, HE/SHE WAS CHARGED $96.75 FOR THE LABOR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A REPLACEMENT CABLE WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS TOO SHORT AND AS A RESULT, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD STAY ON SHOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER OPTED NOT TO HAVE THE CABLE INSTALLED DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. *JB
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT IN. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS WERE FIXED. THE LIGHT REMAIN ON. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WOULD BE ALRIGHT AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT. SIX MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $447.00 TO REPAIR. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT. I TOOK IN AGAIN ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS LATER I ASK THEM TO CHECK IT AGAIN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ALRIGHT TO TRAVEL IN WHICH I TRAVEL ALOT. THE GUY NEVER TOLD ME THAT WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I CALL TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM I HAVE BEEN RIDING AROUND WITH A DANGEROUS CAR AND NO ONE THERE TOOK THE TIME TO TELL ME IT IS A PROBLEM AND MY FAMILY WAS IN DANGER. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WHAT TO DO NEXT. I ONLY DEAL WITH KEITH PIERSON TOYOTA JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TOOK MY 07 RAV 4 SPORT IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR AIRBAG SENSOR RECALL ON 10-26-12. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED. THE AIRBAG ICON HAD BEEN STAYING ON CONSTANTLY SINCE 10-21-12. STILL ON AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE. TOLD BY SERVICE DEPT. WHAT BY NOW IS A FAMILIAR STORY. THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE PURSUED WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT $87.50 WHICH WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR. HOW GENEROUS IS THAT? ALSO TOLD SPIRAL CABLE MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM. SO UNLESS I AM MISSING SOMETHING IT WORKS OUT TO HAND DEALERSHIP A BLANK CHECK OR TAKE YOUR CHANCES AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. NOW IF THE RECALLED SENSOR WASN'T DESIGNED TO FAIL AND IT WILL BE COVERED EVEN IF WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED WHAT'S SO DIFFERENT ABOUT A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE FAILING AFTER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED? I AM GOING TO TAKE A WILD GUESS HERE AND SUGGEST TOYOTA HAS SOMEONE TASKED TO READ THESE COMPLAINTS TO STAY INFORMED OF TOYOTA OWNER SENTIMENT. SO THIS IS FOR YOU! HOW MANY INCIDENTS WITH OR WITHOUT INJURIES OR WORSE HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE TOYOTA DOES THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECTS THE AIRBAG ISSUES AND QUITS HIDING BEHIND THE EXPIRED WARRANTY EXCUSE? TOYOTA DID NOT BECOME A KEY PLAYER IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY BY BEHAVING LIKE THIS.WHAT HAS CHANGED? NEXT STEP TAKE IT VIRAL USING ALL AVAILABLE MEDIA! *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2007 Toyota RAV4 has 74 Air Bags complaints on file. 12 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.