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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,343 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Toyota RAV4 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2008 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

Aug 102021

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2021 I was involved in a collision on the highway and my airbag did not deploy but airbag light remained on dash board even after repairing clockspring and attempting to reset airbag.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #48

Aug 042019

RAV4

  • 117,000 miles
I had just gotten in my vehicle. I went to go start it and the airbags deployed for no reason!!! there is no damage to the vehicle. No reason as to why the airbags should of deployed sitting in my driveway stationary. I had no warning lights on at all.

- Cherry Valley, MA, USA

problem #47

Jan 022019

RAV4

  • 1,550,000 miles
My vehicle has never been in an accident. All recalls have been fixed and then I started having an issue with the occupation detector in the passenger seat. It is not registering that there is an occupant over 1/2 the time. Since this is a costly repair (about 500$) I take it to heart knowing my vehicle is not safe at all times. I do have 2 children and this is our primary family vehicle. I do not think this is a part that an owner should be responsible to fix since it is a safety issue. Every now and then it will function but it's been on solid for over two weeks. Hence my email.

- Kingsland, GA, USA

problem #46

Feb 082017

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (air bags). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called avondale Toyota (10005 papago fwy, avondale, AZ 85323, phone: (877) 554-6890) and was informed that the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #45

Oct 012017

RAV4

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Pascatiway, NJ, USA

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problem #44

Nov 172017

RAV4

  • miles
Takata recall - recall on February 17, 2026 - to date the recall is incomplete. When do you expect the recall to be completed"??"

- Harrodsburg, KY, USA

problem #43

Mar 072017

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving 40 mph, the steering seized and the vehicle crashed into a building. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The occupant sustained left and right broken arms, stitches, and a broken rotator cuff. Medical attention was received at West chester medical center. A police report was filed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #42

Apr 182017

RAV4

  • 96,826 miles
Vehicle was in motion on a 3-lane city street, crossing a two-lane intersection. Vehicle was struck broadside at the passenger rear quarter panel, spun around 720 degrees before coming to rest. Vehicle driver side curtain airbags failed to deploy during accident. Passenger side curtain airbags did deploy, only driver with no passengers in vehicle at time of accident. Driver did get pushed into driver's door/window during the accident, but was uninjured. 3 attached pictures show damage to vehicle passenger side rear quarter panel and passenger side airbag deployment. No driver side curtain airbags deployed.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #41

Jul 092014

RAV4

  • 86,330 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to J.wolf Toyota where they diagnosed the failure as a part of the recall however the updated remedy was unavailable. The technician replaced the original spiral cable with a spiral cable of the same design and advised that the recall would still need to be addressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that due to the work being performed during the interim notice they removed the contact's vehicle from the recall. The failure mileage was 86,330.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #40

Apr 092014

RAV4

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (suspension). The dealer indicated that the parts were on a national back order. The contact was unable to determine when the air bag recall would be repaired. The VIN was also included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V096000 (seat belts) and 14V168000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #39

Aug 042016

RAV4

  • 64,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Backing my Rav4 out of the garage after an oil change, I did a three point turn in the drive way. When I put it in reverse again to get closer to my garage the side air bags deployed. Only the side bags and seat belts, and I did not contact anything. Toyota will not cover the repairs (or diagnosis), and insurance will not pay for the diagnosis!

- Homer City, PA, USA

problem #38

Mar 102016

RAV4

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact was unable to schedule an appointment for longer than two months for NHTSA campaign number: 16V096000 (air bags). The contact was unable to determine when the second notice would be sent. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 07/28/16

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #37

May 282016

RAV4

  • miles
Takata recall

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #36

Jan 132016

RAV4

  • 125,648 miles
The vehicle was taken in to replace a defective emergency break cable on 1/13/16. The vehicle was repaired at a local shop and when the vehicle was getting removed from the repair stall the side curtain air bags deployed. The vehicle was started and shifted into reverse, as the vehicle was shifted into reverse the side curtain air bags deployed. The vehicle was stationary on a flat floor at the time of the air bag deployment. I contacted Toyota and they inspected the vehicle ON1/27/16, they concluded that the air bag system was operating properly at the time of the incident. A safety recall boe-curtain shield air bag sensor was completed on the vehicle on 1/19/12 according to the letter I received from Toyota after there inspection. I realize that Toyota only read the event recorder. There have been a few times the stability control lights would inadvertently blink at inappropriate times but never when there was a chance to get a diagnosis from a computer reading at a service facility.

- Kaukauna, WI, USA

problem #35

Aug 042014

RAV4

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained on. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V166000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Springhill, MA, USA

problem #34

Jun 142015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a truck. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the driver. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was unknown....updated 08/20/15

- Holly Springs, NV, USA

problem #33

Apr 162014

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Putnam Valley, NY, USA

problem #32

Feb 222015

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I'm telling what happened with help of passengers in car with me. I was the driver and received approximately 3 inch laceration to back of forehead which required 10 staples. I lost consciousness and don't remember what happened. The passengers state I pulled out and truck was coming and it hit me. My car is totaled. I was hit on front passenger's side (the whole front of car was torn off. They say we spun around several times and was hit again by truck over the back tire and back end. Was told by trooper and tow guy the air bags should have deployed. It was a really bad accident.

- St. George, SC, USA

problem #31

Apr 072014

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V168000 (air bags). The parts needed for the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Elkmont, AL, USA

problem #30

Aug 182014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
I was driving on the West Virginia turnpike when the airbag light came on. The bag didn't open, but it scared me. There is no shoulder on the turnpike to get over and there is lots of truckers. The airbag light stayed on until I got off the turnpike and pulled over to a rest stop. I turned off the car and my son and I rested for about 30 minutes before starting the car again to drive home. When I turned on the car the light was off. It comes on every once in a while. Not sure why and not sure what is causing it to come on?

- Morrisville, NC, USA

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