2009 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 327 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 327 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 9 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.
“I was driving and the air bag inadvertently went off, exploding in my face. The vehicle filled with smoke, dust, and debris. Because I could not see (airbag in my face and smoke/debris in the vehicle), I crashed into the vehicle in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #10680189, filed 2015-01, 57,668 miles“Daughter was driving 65mph on interstate when large truck in front of her dropped their drive shaft. She tried to straddle the object due to no shoulder and another vehicle in next lane. Report stated it rupture gas tank and loss ability to steer vehicle sending get into and through guardrail. Totalled everyone front end of vehicle. No airbags deployed. She suffered significant concussion and whiplash.”
NHTSA complaint #11265257, filed 2019-09, 162,000 miles“My daughter was driving the rav 4 and had to swerve off the road to avoid a car. She hit a telephone pole, but the air bags did not deploy. There was quite a bit of front end damage, but at no time did the air bags deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10500123, filed 2013-02, 46,100 miles“Extensive rodent damage to wiring harness, passenger air bag, heat/AC ducts, headliner, carpeting front & rear, instrument panel, and many more misc. Parts. Repair costs - $10,257.91 because Toyota chose to make this car with a smaller carbon footprint using edible products (soy foam, rice husks, etc.) in place of petroleum for much of the plastic parts. This material is now attractive to rodents and they designed the air inlet to the heater without a screen which allows rodents entry to the vehicle. It becomes a safety issue because the air bag was damaged enough to require replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562506, filed 2014-02, 27,788 miles“Front passenger seatbelt light is always flashing without anyone in the passenger seat. I saw on this website that 2009-2012 Toyota RAV4 had a recall in 2013 for occupant sensing system calibration. I called Toyota and they said hay my VIN number was not included in the recall but why am I having that problem now?! He description in that recall says that the airbags won't deploy or will deploy improperly in the case of an accident. I believe that I'm having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11257309, filed 2019-09Related 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…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 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…
- 10131852Mar 8, 2017Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
- 10131851Mar 8, 2017Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
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 2009 Toyota RAV4
99 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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