Airbag warning light was on. We received notice that our vehicle was included in a general rav4 / highlander recall for side airbag sensor issues.after receiving free dealership service for the recall, the warning light was still on. We called the service dept. And were told that it was just a glitch and they would reset it at our next scheduled service (oil change). 4 months later, at the oil change, we were told the airbag warning light related to a spiral cable airbag sensor (b1801 open in squib d) which needed to be replaced; also told this failure was completely unrelated to the original recall for side airbag issues. After complaining to the dealer, they offered to pay for the part (approx. $275.00) and we would be responsible for the labor charge ($109.00) the service and dealership managers never acknowledged that there was a known issue although many car forums are rife with complaints on this issue. Although the problem was resolved with little cost to me, I am complaining to add to the database so that others will know they are at risk and in the hope that enough complaints will cause toyota to address the issue in public.
2008 Toyota RAV4 airbags complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 58 of 58, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag spiral cable was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who filed a report and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 78,201. Updated 08/07/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle has since been repaired. Updated 08/16/12
2008 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to recall for curtain shield airbag sensor *tgw when the consumer contacted the dealer to make an appointment to have the recall performed, the dealer informed him they do not perform recalls on saturdays.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer advised that a component in the steering wheel failed, and caused the illumination of the air bag warning light. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 88,143 and the failure mileage was unknown.
Was at a complete stop at a signal. Had foot on the brake. Engine surged to approx 6500 RPM plowed into the vehicle in front of me. I climbed on the other vehicle. Car would not stop moving until I turned and pulled out the key from the ignition. Airbags did not go off. Reported incident to tarpon city officer, while the accident report was written up. My daughter and I were pretty banged up. Don't know if the other vehicle reported injuries. The rav was not drivable. Had to have it towed to suntoyota for repairs. Reported incident to sun toyota service and body shop dec 22, they asked me what I wanted done about the problem. Called toyota 800 331-4331 case #[xxx], 12/22/11 promised to call back in 24 hrs case worker [xxx]. Talked to [xxx] at toyota headquarter in california. Still waiting for a response from toyota. I don't feel safe in this vehicle now. I can't sell it in good faith, because of the product liability. I am thankful there was a car in front of me. The tarpon springs christmas parade was in progress and there were a least a dozen kids in the crosswalk in front of us. What a christmas present my rav would have given some parents if my car had hit these kids. Just an fyi. I had a perfect driving record for 35 years until this happened. Thank you toyota! Toyota needs to man up before innocent people are killed. I forgot this is big corporation, they don't care, as long as it doesn't effect their bottom line. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I received a safety recall notice in the mail about my warning light for my air bag. The warning light for my airbag is always on, and it can't turn off. I went twice to my dealer (interstate toyota) on october 8th 2011 and october 12th 2011 to get the light fixed, but they couldn't help me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency recall campaign id number 11v245000 (air bags:side/window). An authorized dealer was made aware and informed the contact that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were unavailable. The vehicle was never repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local mechanic performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the air bag sensor. The dealer advised the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v245000 (air bags: side/window). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 88,288. Updated 09/21/11 *bf updated 09/30/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The vehicle was sitting in a residential garage when it was started and all frontal and rear curtain airbags deployed. The housing for the curtain air bags flew across the vehicle and there was damage to the pet element, leather interior and front and passenger sides of the vehicle. A passenger sustained severe lacerations to the left hand from the seat belt tightening around the hand upon deployment. Another passenger sustained burns to the chest from the explosion. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer and the event data recorder determined that the vehicle sensor malfunctioned and reacted as if the vehicle was involved in a seventy degree lateral rollover within 4.2 seconds of starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 19,500.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav 4. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag light illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Air bag ecu on 2008 rav4 needs replacing . Starting at 52000 miles dashboard airbag warning light would randomly come on. Recently it would stay on (82000 miles), after dealer inspection it was declared that a new airbag ecu is needed at a cost of $670.
Turned on ignition and the side airbags deployed.
My air bag light was on off and on for two years on my toyota rav 4. Everytime I brought it in the mechanic would run a test and say that it was just a glitch in the system. We asked them if it was ok to drive and they said it was fine. On the day the airbags really messed up my friend and I were sitting in my car, I turned the ignition on and the side air bags on both sides exploded. It felt like someone had put a bomb in my car. My friend fractured her sternum and I had a severe closed head injury, a hole in my ear drum, and the muscles in my neck were messed up. The rav has been in the shop and they are waiting for someone to come out and do a final check on it.
2008 rav 4 side air bags inflate when starting vehicle causing personal injury. Vehicle is in repair.
I got in my vehicle, shut the door, put the key in the ignition and both the driver and passenger side airbags deployed.
Problem with my 2008 toyota rav-4. The air bag sensor light comes on randomly while driving and after starting the car and stays on. Owners manual says to take to dealer immediately. I was told by one toyota dealership that this means the air bag is disabled, but no local dealer will be able to get me in right away. If this is as potentially serious as it sounds, I wish they would take it more seriously. I took first available appt, but it seems like this is a common problem, looking at rav-4 forums.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 60 MPH, he tried to apply the brakes and the vehicle began to slide. The brakes did not respond when he tried to slow down which caused him to crash into the rocks opposite side of the road. At that point, the rpms began to increase and he turned the ignition off. The air bags did not deploy; therefore, the contact experienced minor injuries. A police report is was taken. He called the manufacturer but he was offered no assistance. The vehicle was currently being repaired for the damages. The vehicle identification number was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.
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