1997 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Toyota RAV4, 9% of the 54 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving and approaching a steep hill at 35 MPH, and upon going down a hill, vehicle fish tailed out of control. Hitting a median strip. Consumer had to swerve right, and went into a tail spin out of control. The seat belt either released or broke. The roof caved in. All the windows broke. Consumer was injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10111434, filed 2005-02“Vehicle was involved in two accidents in which there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. The final accident was a direct frontal impact at 40 MPH in which driver was hurt. Cause of problem unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #825390, filed 1998-07“Someone hit the driver from behind and veered into next lane where another car hit the driver and the vehicle flipped over, driver's air bag did not deploy,resulting in an injury.”
NHTSA complaint #781543, filed 1998-11Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 12 | 7% |
| 2023 | 8 | 5% |
| 2022 | 10 | 7% |
| 2021 | 125 | 32% |
| 2020 | 55 | 9% |
| 2019 | 45 | 5% |
| 2018 | 16 | 5% |
| 2017 | 20 | 7% |
| 2016 | 19 | 8% |
| 2015 | 15 | 5% |
| 2014 | 12 | 6% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 22 | 8% |
| 2011 | 20 | 7% |
| 2010 | 28 | 7% |
| 2009 | 13 | 4% |
| 2008 | 58 | 10% |
| 2007 | 99 | 10% |
| 2006 | 57 | 8% |
| 2005 | 59 | 42% |
| 2004 | 47 | 31% |
| 2003 | 10 | 3% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 13 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 14 | 23% |
| 1998 | 13 | 17% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota RAV4
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology