1998 Toyota Rav4 Airbags Problems
14 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Airbags Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.
Owner Complaints (14)
Your RAV4 was hit on the front passenger side during a crash, but the airbags didn't deploy when they should have. Two passengers were injured — one with a black eye, leg bruises, and head lacerations requiring stitches, and another with two broken ribs. The vehicle was totaled and not repaired, so the airbag system was never diagnosed.
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Your vehicle is subject to a recall for Takata airbags. This is a known safety issue affecting many vehicles from that era. The airbag system will need to be inspected and repaired or replaced by a dealer as part of the recall.
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During a multi-vehicle crash at highway speed, your airbags did not deploy, and your seat belts failed to lock on impact, resulting in injuries to all three passengers. The vehicle was destroyed in the collision and was not inspected to determine why the safety systems malfunctioned. This issue involves both the airbag system and seat belt locking mechanisms.
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Your 1998 RAV4 is included in a Toyota airbag recall (NHTSA Campaign 20V033000), but replacement parts are currently unavailable. You haven't experienced an airbag failure yet, but Toyota and your dealer need to be notified so you can be contacted when parts become available for the recall repair.
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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I HIT A POLE AND TWO OTHER CARS, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR NEXT TO ME. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELING 45 MPH, NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A COMPLETE LOSS. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WENT DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HIT SEVERAL LARGE WOODEN POLES, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN AND HIT A TREE ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BROKE CONSUMER'S FOREARM. CONSUMER FELT THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AT THAT SPEED.*AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR WAS SCRATCHED. DISTRICT MANAGER KEPT MAKING UNSCHEDULED VISITS. *AK
VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THE DRIVER / PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *YC
AIR BAG LIGHT FAILED. YH
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AND WAS IMPACTED BY A HEAD-ON COLLISION OF A 75 CHEVROLET NOVA. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SHREDDING THE STEERING WHEEL COVER, INJURING THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED DURING THIS CRASH. *AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE AIRBAG S DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK