Daughter was driving 65mph on interstate when large truck in front of her dropped their drive shaft. She tried to straddle the object due to no shoulder and another vehicle in next lane. Report stated it rupture gas tank and loss ability to steer vehicle sending get into and through guardrail. Totalled everyone front end of vehicle. No airbags deployed. She suffered significant concussion and whiplash.
2009 Toyota RAV4 airbags problems
13 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 57,000. 9 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 57,000
- crashes
- 9
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal1
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
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Toyota RAV4 airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
- Remedy
- Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.
Recall number 13V014000 · Recall details
What 2009 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Front passenger seatbelt light is always flashing without anyone in the passenger seat. I saw on this website that 2009-2012 toyota rav4 had a recall in 2013 for occupant sensing system calibration. I called toyota and they said hay my VIN number was not included in the recall but why am I having that problem now?! He description in that recall says that the airbags won't deploy or will deploy improperly in the case of an accident. I believe that I'm having the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact swerved to avoid a vehicle. The vehicle drifted to the left and crashed into a tree. The air bag deployed. Upon deployment, the air bag burst open and released a metal bracket. The contact received leg, abdominal, arm, neck, back, head, ankle, and kidney injuries. Medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v096000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 4/27/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,040.
Both airbag lights came on.
I was driving and the air bag inadvertently went off, exploding in my face. The vehicle filled with smoke, dust, and debris. Because I could not see (airbag in my face and smoke/debris in the vehicle), I crashed into the vehicle in front of me.
Extensive rodent damage to wiring harness, passenger air bag, heat/AC ducts, headliner, carpeting front & rear, instrument panel, and many more misc. Parts. Repair costs - $10,257.91 because toyota chose to make this car with a smaller carbon footprint using edible products (soy foam, rice husks, etc.) in place of petroleum for much of the plastic parts. This material is now attractive to rodents and they designed the air inlet to the heater without a screen which allows rodents entry to the vehicle. It becomes a safety issue because the air bag was damaged enough to require replacement. My toyota has become the incredible edible car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while applying the brakes at 45 MPH, the brakes failed to respond, causing him to crash into a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was thrown into the windshield and sustained numerous severe to moderate injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the front end would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that a field representative would be dispatched the following day to further inspect the vehicle. One month later, the representative still had not performed the inspection. The manufacturer stated that since the repairs had already begun, they would not be able to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 57,000. Updated 10/28/2014*lj updated 7/14/2015
My daughter was driving the rav 4 and had to swerve off the road to avoid a car. She hit a telephone pole, but the air bags did not deploy. There was quite a bit of front end damage, but at no time did the air bags deploy.
Questions about the 2009 Toyota RAV4 airbags
Does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota RAV4 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 57,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Toyota RAV4 airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V014000. 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 2009 Toyota RAV4 problems
Acceleration 99Suspension 55Engine 35Brakes 31Transmission 28Steering 26Electrical 19Body 17Fuel system 10Wheels 10Seat belts 7Tires 7Visibility 7Seats 4Driver assistance 2
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