2001 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 309 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 309 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 8 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.
“Takata recall I am the original owner of. 2001 Toyota RAV4 . I have lived in the state of hawaii for the last 9 years. As you might imagine the humidity is high here . Since Toyota does not appear to want to replace the airbag in my vehicle should I disconnect the airbag so it does not inflate and injure or kill me??”
NHTSA complaint #10853930, filed 2016-04, 114,000 miles“I was driving home one night, I was driving a 2001 Toyota rav 4. Ai was in the right hand lane, a deer ran in front of me, I swerved to the right and missed the deer, however I hit a guardrail on the right side, overcompenciated across road straight up a bank, approx 20 ft. The acr turned to the right and rolled over twice down the bank. Since the air bags did not deploy, I suffered a deep laceration to right side of head and the gear shift fractured 4-7 ribs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10210083, filed 2007-11, 12,200 miles“I was traveling on a highway to work and it had been raining when I pressed my brakes to stop ( I barely pressed them) and my brakes locked and I couldn't stop. I tried to press a couple of times and even pumped them. I tried to get onto the shoulder and my steering locked. I was traveling 55 MPH before I tried stopping, and was never able to stop, and when I hit the car in front of me my airbags never deployed. My front end was smashed end and my vehicle was totaled. The lady I hit had just a dent in her bumper. I didn't have major injuries but I had some bruising and a knot on my knee. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313278, filed 2010-02, 90,000 miles“Takata recall I drive my 2001 RAV4 that I inherited from my mother. The car is 15 years old but only has 56,000 miles on it. I am fearful about the airbag exploding since I plan to drive this car for several more years. I want the airbag replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10863809, filed 2016-05“Takata recall - I am the original owner of a 2001 rav 4 with 224,000 miles on it. This car is primarily used in nevada in the reno/lake tahoe area and also in seattle wa. I am very concerned about the possibility of an exploding air bag. Please advise about the safety of continuing to drive this car and how soon the air bags can be replaced! From all I read these cars should be taken off the road immediately! Please respond so I can protect my family.”
NHTSA complaint #10872625, filed 2016-06Related 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 2001 Toyota RAV4
190 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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