2008 Toyota RAV4 Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 79,101 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (45% of reports).
- 58air bags complaints
- 79,101median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 26 of 58 complaints (45%)
- Spiral cable: mentioned in 10 of 58 complaints (17%)
- Airbags deployed: mentioned in 5 of 58 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 42 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 58 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 11 an injury.
Toyota RAV4 air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RAV4 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2024 RAV4 | 12 | 7% | 10,000 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 8 | 5% | 57,500 |
| 2022 RAV4 | 10 | 7% | 19,449 |
| 2021 RAV4 | 125 | 32% | 30,000 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 55 | 9% | 40,500 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 45 | 5% | 8,000 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 16 | 5% | 17,000 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 20 | 7% | 14,500 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 19 | 8% | 25,000 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 15 | 5% | 24,000 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 12 | 6% | 20,000 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 13 | 5% | 25,309 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 22 | 8% | 30,000 |
| 2011 RAV4 | 20 | 7% | 40,500 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 28 | 7% | 56,000 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 13 | 4% | 57,000 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 58 | 10% | 79,101 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 99 | 10% | 87,000 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 57 | 8% | 89,500 |
| 2005 RAV4 | 59 | 42% | 91,000 |
| 2004 RAV4 | 47 | 31% | 100,000 |
| 2003 RAV4 | 10 | 3% | 35,547 |
| 2002 RAV4 | 22 | 4% | 38,000 |
| 2001 RAV4 | 13 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2000 RAV4 | 1 | 3% | 169,266 |
| 1999 RAV4 | 14 | 23% | 104,950 |
| 1998 RAV4 | 13 | 17% | 132,500 |
| 1997 RAV4 | 5 | 9% | — |
| 1996 RAV4 | 4 | 9% | 55,600 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Toyota will replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one containing improved roll rate sensors, free of charge. Toyota intends to send an interim owner notification to owners early to mid-may, 2011 when sufficient parts and remedy becomes available. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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 didnât own the vehicle and it seems like it didnât last long because my airbags are not working so…
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 vehicleâs safety features, including the airbag system. My vehicle is potentially affected by this…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Toyota RAV4s have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 58 owner complaints about air bags for the 2008 Toyota RAV4 (10% of the 575 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Toyota RAV4 air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 79,101 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 26 of 58 complaints, followed by “spiral cable” (10).
Other 2008 Toyota RAV4 problems
- Engine problems (137)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (92)
- Suspension problems (81)
- Steering problems (73)
See all 2008 Toyota RAV4 problems or air bags problems across all RAV4 years.