45 complaints reported

2008 Toyota RAV4 Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
45
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
7

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2013

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND SCAN SHOWS THAT IT IS A "SPIRAL CABLE" THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UNKNOWN TO ME WAS THAT AIRBAG WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND THIS APPEARS TO BE LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE THIS EVENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND DUE TO HIGH FREQUENCY OF THIS EVENT BEING REPORTED...IT SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2013
Jan 2013

AIR BAG LIGHT ON...CODE B1801 SEE ITS A COMMON FAILURE ON TOYOTA NOT COVERED ON ANY RECALLS, DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2013
Jan 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2013
Nov 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,132 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,136.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2012
Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL WIRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2012
Aug 2012

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. WE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A GENERAL RAV4 / HIGHLANDER RECALL FOR SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUES.AFTER RECEIVING FREE DEALERSHIP SERVICE FOR THE RECALL, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WE CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT. AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A GLITCH AND THEY WOULD RESET IT AT OUR NEXT SCHEDULED SERVICE (OIL CHANGE). 4 MONTHS LATER, AT THE OIL CHANGE, WE WERE TOLD THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT RELATED TO A SPIRAL CABLE AIRBAG SENSOR (B1801 OPEN IN SQUIB D) WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; ALSO TOLD THIS FAILURE WAS COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL FOR SIDE AIRBAG ISSUES. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER, THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART (APPROX. $275.00) AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR CHARGE ($109.00) THE SERVICE AND DEALERSHIP MANAGERS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE ALTHOUGH MANY CAR FORUMS ARE RIFE WITH COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED WITH LITTLE COST TO ME, I AM COMPLAINING TO ADD TO THE DATABASE SO THAT OTHERS WILL KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK AND IN THE HOPE THAT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL CAUSE TOYOTA TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN PUBLIC. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2012
Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,201. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/16/12

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2012
Feb 2012

2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL FOR CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG SENSOR *TGW WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THEY DO NOT PERFORM RECALLS ON SATURDAYS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2012
Dec 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2011
Nov 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V245000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS MADE AWARE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2011
Oct 2011

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT MY WARNING LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR MY AIRBAG IS ALWAYS ON, AND IT CAN'T TURN OFF. I WENT TWICE TO MY DEALER (INTERSTATE TOYOTA) ON OCTOBER 8TH 2011 AND OCTOBER 12TH 2011 TO GET THE LIGHT FIXED, BUT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2011
Aug 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V245000 (AIR BAGS: SIDE/WINDOW). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,288. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF UPDATED 09/30/11

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2011
Mar 2011 Fire Injury

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2011
Oct 2010

AIR BAG ECU ON 2008 RAV4 NEEDS REPLACING . STARTING AT 52000 MILES DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON. RECENTLY IT WOULD STAY ON (82000 MILES), AFTER DEALER INSPECTION IT WAS DECLARED THAT A NEW AIRBAG ECU IS NEEDED AT A COST OF $670. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2010
Sep 2010 Injury

TURNED ON IGNITION AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2010
Jul 2010 Injury

2008 RAV 4 SIDE AIR BAGS INFLATE WHEN STARTING VEHICLE CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. VEHICLE IS IN REPAIR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2010
Apr 2010

I GOT IN MY VEHICLE, SHUT THE DOOR, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2010
Feb 2010

PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND STAYS ON. OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO TAKE TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I WAS TOLD BY ONE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THIS MEANS THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED, BUT NO LOCAL DEALER WILL BE ABLE TO GET ME IN RIGHT AWAY. IF THIS IS AS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AS IT SOUNDS, I WISH THEY WOULD TAKE IT MORE SERIOUSLY. I TOOK FIRST AVAILABLE APPT, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, LOOKING AT RAV-4 FORUMS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2010
Jan 2010 Injury

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON OFF AND ON FOR TWO YEARS ON MY TOYOTA RAV 4. EVERYTIME I BROUGHT IT IN THE MECHANIC WOULD RUN A TEST AND SAY THAT IT WAS JUST A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM. WE ASKED THEM IF IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. ON THE DAY THE AIRBAGS REALLY MESSED UP MY FRIEND AND I WERE SITTING IN MY CAR, I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES EXPLODED. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PUT A BOMB IN MY CAR. MY FRIEND FRACTURED HER STERNUM AND I HAD A SEVERE CLOSED HEAD INJURY, A HOLE IN MY EAR DRUM, AND THE MUSCLES IN MY NECK WERE MESSED UP. THE RAV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND DO A FINAL CHECK ON IT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2010
Sep 2009

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2009

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 has 45 Air Bags complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.