2021 Toyota RAV4 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 125about this part
- Share
- 32%of 389 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 125 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 32% of the 389 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 28 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.
“In a 4 car pile up. Hit in rear x2 by a large van while sitting in traffic on nj parkway foot on break and pushed into car in front of me x2. Airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11414593, filed 2021-04, 300 miles“On 9/20, I started receiving a dashboard notification alerting me of an airbag system failure (see photo) - that was unable to be dismissed for longer than 15-20 seconds obstructing my odometer, speedometer and gas meter. On 9/23, I had an appointment and was informed my car needed a “clock spring assy”. My car is not driven frequently and not even four years old yet.”
NHTSA complaint #11689159, filed 2025-09“Driving straight on side road. Vehicle entered road by attempting a left turn onto road without yielding to me. I swerved to the left and slammed on the breaks but was t boned by their vehicle. Airbags didn’t deploy and we got a message on dashboard indicating faulty airbag. Also upon impact our seatbelts were released.”
NHTSA complaint #11650617, filed 2025-03“I was involved in an accident on the interstate traveling at about 80 mph and I hit a guard rail. I swerved, and then the lane assistance kicked in and made me lose control of the car completely, which is how I slammed into the guard rail. In that process, none of the airbags deployed and I had a passenger in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11700985, filed 2025-11“Recall issued December 2023 with an estimated remedy available by Toyota in October 2024. As of February 2025, still no remedy available. I'm quite concerned at the length of time its taking to correct a simple OCS sensor. should be as easy as just inspect and/or replace the sensor. My pregnant wife now has to sit in a seat where the airbag may or may not deploy in an accident for the unknown future since no remedy has been made.”
NHTSA complaint #11645064, filed 2025-02Related recalls
- 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2020–2021, Camry 2020–2022, Lexus ES Hybrid 2020–2022 +11 more
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
- 10190480Mar 4, 2021DL: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected, when…
- 10190478Mar 4, 2021DP: Toyota has received customer reports of certain 2019-2021 model year RAV4 HV vehicle fuel gauges displaying less than full and/or total fuel dispensed is less than expected…
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 2021 Toyota RAV4
77 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsSeats
18 complaintsLane departure
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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