2003 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,547miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 3% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,547 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.
“My wife had an accident on the highway oct /16/2018 a chevy van severely crash into the rear of my 2003 RAV4 ,and none of the airbags deployed .shouldn't the airbags have deployed?what should I do?”
NHTSA complaint #11142305, filed 2018-10, 125,000 miles“While driving at approximately 30 MPH consumer's vehicle rear ended anothetr vehicle. Upon impact, driver's side seat belt failed to restraint the driver, and the air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained injuries, and the vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10115015, filed 2005-03, 18,200 miles“While driving 50 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital. The vehicle was towed to dealer for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10105120, filed 2005-01, 21,094 miles“When the consumer rear ended another vehicle at 25 MPH the front air bag did not deploy, nor did the seat belt restrain the consumer. Vehicle was towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. . Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10111538, filed 2005-02, 18,000 miles“Instructions say a 12 yr. Old or under should sit in the back seat due to the fact an airbag could kill the child. However, we are only 5 feet 2 inches which is the size of a 12 yr old. Shouldn't our airbags be disconnected??”
NHTSA complaint #10244302, filed 2008-10Related 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 2003 Toyota RAV4
209 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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