2008 Toyota RAV4 Air Bags Problems
- 47
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 47 stored complaint records:
- 9 indicate a crash
- 8 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Side/Window · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 16 |
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Air Bags · Occupant Classification · Seats · Unknown Or Other
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…
ODI 11190561
Air Bags
Takata recall - recall on february 17, 2026 - to date the recall is incomplete. When do you expect the recall to be completed????
ODI 11046948
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
ODI 11048050
Air Bags
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…
Crash reported
ODI 10995470
Air Bags · Steering
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11019311
Air Bags
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: [redacted]) and was informed that the part was…
ODI 11048694
Air Bags
Backing my rav4 out of the garage after an oil change, i did a three point turn in the drive way. When i put it in reverse again to get closer to my garage the side air bags deployed. Only the side bags and seat belts, and i did not contact anything. Toyota will not cover the repairs (or diagnosis), and insurance will not pay for the diagnosis!
ODI 10894637
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL
ODI 10871436
Air Bags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact was unable to schedule an appointment for longer than two months for nhtsa campaign number: 16v096000 (air bags). The contact was unable to determine when the second notice would be sent. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 07/28/16*lj
ODI 10874444
Air Bags · Electronic Stability Control · Seat Belts
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…
ODI 10849872
Air Bags · Seat Belts
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 toyota rav4. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a truck. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the driver. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was unknown. ...updated…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10730132
Air Bags
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10691174
Air Bags
I was driving on the west virginia turnpike when the airbag light came on. The bag didn't open, but it scared me. There is no shoulder on the turnpike to get over and there is lots of truckers. The airbag light stayed on until i got off the turnpike and pulled over to a rest stop. I turned off the car and my son and i rested for about 30 minutes before starting the car again to drive home. When i turned on the car…
ODI 10630064
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained on. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v166000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
ODI 10809957
Air Bags
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…
ODI 10992213
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
ODI 10724749
Air Bags · Seat Belts · Suspension
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v596000 (suspension). The dealer indicated that the parts were on a national back order. The contact was unable to determine when the air bag recall would be repaired. The vin was also included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v096000 (seat belts) and 14v168000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not…
ODI 10957328
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v168000 (air bags). The parts needed for the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
ODI 10650813
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated when there was no passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician was unable to find a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,140 and the current mileage was unknown.
ODI 10584623
Air Bags
Submission from constituent re recall on 2008 toyota rav 4 (airbag). *smd the consumer was involved in an accident, and the air bag did not deploy. *jb
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10592024
Air Bags
Driver side air bag fault lite on. I was told it requires a new sensor and a spring. I own a 2002 toyota corolla no trouble so far. The car has over 200000 miles on it. I have asked over 65 people with toyota rav.4/ years 2008 -2009 and -2011 cars, if they have had any trouble with there cars. They all said not so far. *tr
ODI 10557064
Air Bags
Was parked at a rest stop, when i restarted the car, airbag light went on and has never turned off. Have not received a letter which was supposed to be sent in april, 2014 for the most recent recall. *tr
ODI 10586916
Air Bags
Air bag indicator light on when car started. Multiple attempts to get indicator light off failed. Contacted dealer for appointment and was told that it could take all day to resolve the issue. But it appears this is frequent failure with rav4's and i now question sales person reliability at dealer. Will update this after dealer appointment. *tr
ODI 10547984
Air Bags · Cooling System
The airbag light came on and stayed on. Owner took car to dealer and was told that the spiral cable was defective. Also, the water pump is leaking. The rav4 only has 86,000 miles. Owner has noticed there are multiple reported complaints on the airbag spiral cable defect. How many more "defects" have not been reported? This issue should be a recall. The repairs are very expensive. Owner used to think toyota made a…
ODI 10542039
Air Bags
Traffic was stopped on the highway, i came to a stop, the suv behind me did not realize we were stopped. He hit me at almost full speed, this pushed me into the car infront of me, and them into the car in front of them. Basically a 4 car pile up, the car that hit me and the car i was pushed into both blew their air bags. I was hit the hardest and my airbag did not blow, i had my car in the shop two weeks before for…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10519358