YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 17 of 22 complaints (77%) filed on the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, mostly tied to recall 23V865000. Owners report long waits for replacement sensor parts, with one crash and no fires or injuries reported. Median mileage at failure is 29,000.

Airbags complaints
17
77% of 22
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
29,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Owners report receiving notice of recall 23V865000 for an airbag sensor but being told the replacement part is not yet available.
  • Several contacts state the SRS warning light illuminated while waiting for the recall repair.
  • Multiple owners state the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair.
  • One owner reports the vehicle failed to stop at low speed and crashed into two parked vehicles, and was concerned the airbags did not deploy.
  • Some owners state they contacted the dealer about parts unavailability but the vehicle was never diagnosed or repaired.

When 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 7, 2021, latest Apr 29, 2025.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid airbags complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2021May 2024Nov 2024Jan 2025Mar 2025
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2021 to Apr 2025; peak Nov 2024 (4).

Airbags recalls for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

  1. NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    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: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    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.

Airbags complaints by RAV4 Hybrid model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20160 (0%)
  2. 20170 (0%)
  3. 20181 (7%)
  4. 20191 (5%)
  5. 20204 (31%)
  6. 202117 (77%)
  7. 20220 (0%)
  8. 20230 (0%)
  9. 20240 (0%)
  10. 20251 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

Are airbags a common complaint for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
Yes. Airbags make up 17 of the 22 total complaints filed for the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid, or 77% of all complaints for that year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid?
Yes, recall 23V865000 covers airbag sensor issues on the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid among other Toyota and Lexus models. Dealers are to inspect and replace the sensor as necessary at no charge.
What do owners say went wrong with the airbag recall repair?
Most complaints describe being notified of the recall but told the replacement part was unavailable, with the manufacturer allegedly exceeding a reasonable repair timeframe.
Did any airbag-related incidents involve a crash or injury?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 fires and 0 injuries linked to airbag complaints for the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid.
At what mileage do airbag issues typically appear on the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid?
The median mileage at failure for airbag-related complaints is 29,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.