2011 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 7%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle was traveling 35+ miles per hous when I inadvertently hit the vehicle in front of me who had slowed significantly to 25 MPH or less. Both vehicles suffered severe damages as seen in photos”
NHTSA complaint #11234036, filed 2019-07, 80,000 miles“We received safety recall notices NHTSA 16v-096 and 15v-577 stating we will be notified when a remedy is available. I have contacted the local dealership and was told I would be contacted when the parts came in (they had to be ordered). I have contacted the Toyota customer service center who said that would check into the matter as too much time has elapsed in this repair process and they would also contact me. Neither the dealer or corporate has followed trough with the repair parts or repairs. I still cannot get the recalled repairs completed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10929851, filed 2016-12, 21,000 miles“I would like to notify the incident, on july 11th 2012 I was driving on I-40 w highway at 65 MPH speed, the rava 4 vehicle side air bag (driver side) compartment opened but air bags not deployed, it's look like a manufacturer assembly issue, I would like to share this incident with you, this may lead serious injury or accident on road ways. My observations : no path holes, no accident, it happened just like that. I took my vehicle to Toyota dealer, the dealer replaced side air bag panel with new one.”
NHTSA complaint #10469226, filed 2012-08, 6,645 miles“Our 2011 RAV4 was totaled in december 2013 when a bmw 5 series crashed into us while my wife was making a left turn. The impact was to the front tire on the passenger side and it was so severe, the entire wheel assembly was ripped out of the transmission and ended compressed against the passenger door; however incredibly none of the airbags deployed. My son, who was sitting in the front was unharmed, however my daughter in the back was sitting behind the driver seat and flew across the car smashing violently against the rear passenger door, loosing consciousness. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587904, filed 2014-05, 44,000 miles“Airbag light has been on entire ownership along with seatbelt light flashing for passenger seatbelt. Whether buckled or unbuckled. Or even when nobody is in the front passenger seat. Constant issue whether stationary, in motion, and on highways/city streets.”
NHTSA complaint #11322182, filed 2020-04, 180,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V029000Feb 1, 2012Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 rav4 vehicles, manufactured from november 24, 2011, through december 19, 2011. In the curtain shield airbags…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2011
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…
- 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 2011 Toyota RAV4
69 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
50 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsSeat belts
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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