2020 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 55owner reports
- 47,000median miles
- 8involved a crash
Newest report Apr 9, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
55 of the 633 complaints on this car describe airbag. Only dead battery is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 55 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (16 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the airbags cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 and remedy
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the RAV4
Autoliv air bag propellant mixture. Closed may 8, 2012.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“There has been a promise to rectify this issue by Q3 2024 re: the outstanding recall for OCS sensors in passenger seat airbag. This has not been rectified yet.”
Filed Nov 19, 2024
“I'm not sure but this remedy is taking almost a year so I'm reporting it again. I did over the phone last month.”
Filed Oct 18, 2024
“Recall for passenger air bag may not deploy. Remedy is not yet avaliable, I purchased a safe vehicle for my family and now I shouldnât have passengers in the front. Vehicle was in an accident 7/29/2024 and air bags did not deploy. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle. Vehicle is still waiting for parts to be repaired from accident.”
Filed Sep 13, 2024
“I demand that the airbags in my car be fixed immediately. It has been a year since I paid for them and they are still not working. This is a serious safety issue, and I cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Filed Aug 12, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 8 of 55 reports involved a crash and 4 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Battery dies or the car will not start 62 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 54 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 35 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 32 reports