Owners describe two distinct airbag failures in 2009 RAV4s: deployment failures and inadvertent deployment.
Deployment failures dominate the complaints. Owners report crashes at speeds ranging from 5 to 65 mph with front-end damage where airbags did not deploy when expected. One owner hit a tree at 45 mph and heard the airbag deploy only *after* exiting the vehicle safely. Another crashed at 45 mph into another vehicle with zero airbag response. A daughter hit a telephone pole after swerving to avoid traffic with no deployment despite significant front-end damage. In a multi-car collision, the driver's airbag stayed inert while airbags deployed in other vehicles. Owners sustained injuries ranging from head strikes on steering wheels to concussions, whiplash, and multiple trauma (leg, abdominal, arm, neck, back, kidney injuries).
Inadvertent deployment occurred in one case where an airbag went off while driving, exploding in the driver's face and filling the cabin with smoke and debris, causing a secondary crash into the vehicle ahead.
Occupant sensing system malfunction appears in one complaint: the front passenger seatbelt light flashed continuously with no one in the seat. The owner believes this correlates with the 2009–2012 RAV4 occupant sensing system recall issued in 2013, though their VIN was reportedly excluded.
One complaint notes unavailable recall parts (NHTSA campaign 16V096000) prevented repair.
Failures occurred between 18,000 and 105,040 miles. No owner cited diagnostic codes or repair costs.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes
Front airbags failed to deploy during frontal impact crashes at moderate to highway speeds despite visible front-end damage, leaving occupants unprotected and causing head and torso trauma.
When: 18,000–105,040 miles; incidents at 5 mph, 45 mph, 65 mph, and unspecified speeds
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact with tree; No airbag deployment on impact with telephone pole; No airbag deployment on vehicle-to-vehicle collision; No airbag deployment during multi-car collision; Delayed airbag deployment (deployed after occupant exited vehicle); Occupant struck head on steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: One complaint noted front end replacement was needed; vehicle repairs begun at independent shop prevented manufacturer diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported Toyota would not diagnose the failure because repairs had already begun. Another noted recall campaign 16V096000 parts were unavailable.
Inadvertent airbag deployment during normal driving
Airbag deployed without crash or impact, exploding in driver's face and filling cabin with smoke and debris, causing a secondary collision.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed during normal driving; Airbag burst open and released contents into driver's face; Smoke and dust filled vehicle cabin; Visibility lost, causing secondary crash
Occupant sensing system malfunction—false seatbelt warning light
Front passenger seatbelt warning light flashed continuously with no occupant in seat, suggesting occupant sensing system calibration error matching a 2009–2012 recall (campaign not specified in complaint, but owner identified NHTSA 2013 recall).
When: Mileage not stated; complaint owner noted VIN excluded from recall
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger seatbelt warning light flashing without occupant in seat
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota advised owner's VIN was not included in occupant sensing system calibration recall, despite complaint owner's concern that same issue applies.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.