2021 Toyota RAV4 airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

125 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2021 Toyota RAV4, 32% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 30,000 mi.

Airbags complaints
125
Crashes
28
Fires
1
Injuries
34
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
30,000 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags125

Airbags complaints across Toyota RAV4 years

1200553200815201133201353201591120171544201955125202110820231212025
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

2Under 10k810k–30k830k–60k360k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 4, 2026NMAirbags
    I have been unable to get my vehicle inspected and repaired by a dealer despite months of waiting and asking two different Toyota dealers to order the necessary part or parts. This recall has been in place for years. For several years I was told it was only being done in certain states and that New Mexico would be last on list due to climate. Probably six months ago the message changed from Toyota and it was now ok in every state. Only problem is still no parts according to…
    NHTSA complaint #11748297 · source
  2. Filed Jun 9, 202662,000 miTXCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact was traveling at approximately 50 MPH directly behind a van in the same lane of traffic. The van suddenly made an emergency avoidance maneuver to bypass a stationary vehicle completely stopped in the lane. Despite the attempt, the van rear-ended the stopped vehicle. The contact immediately initiated an evasive maneuver to avoid the sudden collision occurring ahead. However, due to proximity and immediate lane obstruction, the…
    NHTSA complaint #11742969 · source
  3. Filed Jun 1, 2026NJAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V865000 (Airbags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was/was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was/was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was invalid./The VIN was not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11741263 · source
  4. Filed Apr 20, 2026PAAirbags
    Srs error appeared on the dash. Now the dealership is opening steering column to fix the electrical issue. The car has less than 29,000miles on it.
    NHTSA complaint #11732503 · source
  5. Filed Apr 15, 2026CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11731394 · source
  6. Filed Apr 6, 2026COCrashTowedAirbags
    I was in a car accident that ended up being a total loss for my vehicle. I was hit head on to the front drivers side and none of my airbags went off. I am aware there was a recall for the passenger airbags, and was actually scheduled to get the repair the following week, but the drivers side airbags are not included in the recall. After the collision I received an error message on my display that advised there was an airbag malfunction and to contact my toyota dealer.…
    NHTSA complaint #11729459 · source
  7. Filed Mar 26, 2026CACrash1 injuredAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving on the freeway at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction attempted to make a left turn and collided with the contact's vehicle. The point of impact was the front driver's side wheel well and side bumper area, with additional damage noted on the front passenger side bumper. No warning lights illuminated. The other vehicle was driving at an undisclosed speed and…
    NHTSA complaint #11727339 · source
  8. Filed Jan 15, 2026NVAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11711163 · source
  9. Filed Jan 11, 2026CAAirbags
    Very upset that the passenger air bag is defective and Toyota refuses to fix this issue, the recall was issued December 20, 2023! I can’t let anyone ride in the front passenger seat, if there was a car accident they might be killed or injured badly… Fix this issue Toyota… This is bad bad business… My mother is [XXX] and I can’t transport her anywhere because of the defective air bag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11710211 · source
  10. Filed Jan 5, 202640,768 miVAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no case number was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11708781 · source
  11. Filed Jan 2, 2026COAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to two dealers but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealers confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had…
    NHTSA complaint #11708421 · source
  12. Filed Dec 16, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for additional information. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made…
    NHTSA complaint #11705359 · source

Other 2021 Toyota RAV4 problem areas

Back to all 2021 Toyota RAV4 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology