1998 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 17%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 132,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota RAV4, 17% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 132,500 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“The contact owns a 1998 Toyota RAV4. The contact was driving 60 MPH and attempted to avoid a tractor trailer. While switching lanes, the rear of the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle, causing the contact to spin out of control, crash into the tractor trailer and then into the guard rail. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags did not deploy. Each of the three passengers were wearing seat belts however none of them locked on impact, causing injury to each of the three passengers. The vehicle was neither repaired nor inspected for the cause of the air bag failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462724, filed 2012-06, 105,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 rav 4. The contact was notified through local emissions that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20v033000 (air bags). The VIN tool confirms that the vehicle was subjected to the recall. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11311119, filed 2020-02“Consumer was turning into a driveway at about 25 MPH when and hit a tree on driver's side front. Upon impact, airbags deployed and broke consumer's forearm. Consumer felt that airbags should not have deployed at that speed.”
NHTSA complaint #864991, filed 2000-07“Consumer was traveling about 40mph and hit another vehicle head on. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. Automobile repair shop determined that the sensor was scratched. District manager kept making unscheduled visits.”
NHTSA complaint #863995, filed 2000-06“Consumer was involved in an accident traveling 45 MPH, neither the driver or passenger airbags deployed, both driver and passenger were injured in accident, vehicle was considered a complete loss.”
NHTSA complaint #560045, filed 2001-03Related recalls
- 20V033000Jan 22, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These…Covers: Toyota RAV4 1998–2000, Celica 1998–1999, Supra 1997–1998
Related 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
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 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…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 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…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
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 1998 Toyota RAV4
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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