1999 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 23%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,950miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Toyota RAV4, 23% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,950 miles. 9 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.
“We were in a 1999 Toyota RAV4, and hit another truck in the rear. As a result of the accident the air bags did not operate deploy, and the restraint's did not work either. Resulting in my wife's broken left arm.”
NHTSA complaint #10215714, filed 2008-01, 154,508 miles“As vehicle entered intered intersection, front airbag imploded causing driver to lose control and hit a parked truck. Both vehicles were damaged and driver's insurancecompany paid the claim, charging the violation against the driver, and raising driver's rates exorbitantly for three years!! Due to the force of the impact against the driver by the imploding airbag, the driver was very dazed when the police arrived and unable to adequately explain the cause of the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10314451, filed 2010-02, 70,775 miles“I lost control of the vehicle and I overcorrected causing the car to go airborne. I hit head on into an embankment then continued to roll 3or 4 times before stopping. There were no indications or warnings to make me think these parts were going to malfunction. My airbags never deployed and the seatbelt did not lockup.”
NHTSA complaint #11568936, filed 2024-01“The contact owns a 1999 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v033000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11337244, filed 2020-07“While traveling on highway another vehicle was in front of consumer's vehicle. To avoid a collison applied brakes and hit vehicle in front. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. This vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #8010602, filed 2002-05Related 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 1999 Toyota RAV4
14 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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