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1998 Toyota RAV4 airbags problems

13 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). 10 crashes reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
17%
crashes
10
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    7
  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota RAV4 airbags problems in other years

1994200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Toyota RAV4 airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 5

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 22, 2020 · 138,842 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V033000 · Recall details

What 1998 Toyota RAV4 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Airbags · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owned a 1998 toyota rav4. The contact stated while making a left turn at an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of their vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated that two people in the vehicle sustained injuries. The passenger in the passenger seat sustained a black eye, several leg bruises and had to get 7 stitches in her head. The passenger in the back seat sustained two broken ribs. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a junk yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 16, 2020 · Airbags · 160,000 miles · OR

My vehicle is being recalled for takada air bags.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Airbags · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 rav 4. The contact was notified through local emissions that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v033000 (air bags). The VIN tool confirms that the vehicle was subjected to the recall. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 22, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 105,000 miles · OH · crash · 3 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota rav4. The contact was driving 60 MPH and attempted to avoid a tractor trailer. While switching lanes, the rear of the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle, causing the contact to spin out of control, crash into the tractor trailer and then into the guard rail. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags did not deploy. Each of the three passengers were wearing seat belts however none of them locked on impact, causing injury to each of the three passengers. The vehicle was neither repaired nor inspected for the cause of the air bag failure. The failure and the current mileages were 105,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2001 · Airbags · NJ · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Nov 21, 2000 · Airbags · NY · crash

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.

Filed Aug 30, 2000 · Airbags · SC · crash

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2000 · Airbags · OH · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2000 · Airbags · MS · crash

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.

Filed Oct 18, 1999 · Airbags · MD · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle rear ended another vehicle at about 40 MPH. The driver / passenger side airbags deployed. Dealer has not seen vehicle.

Questions about the 1998 Toyota RAV4 airbags

Does the 1998 Toyota RAV4 have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 1998 Toyota RAV4, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Toyota RAV4 airbags problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Toyota RAV4 airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V033000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota RAV4 have bad airbags?

The Toyota RAV4 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2021 (125 complaints), 2007 (99 complaints) and 2005 (59 complaints).

Other 1998 Toyota RAV4 problems

Brakes 16Acceleration 12Transmission 10Engine 6Seat belts 4Body 3Electrical 3Fuel system 3Suspension 3Steering 2Tires 2Lights 1Locks 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

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