YearToAvoid

2006 Toyota RAV4 Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 8% of all 704 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest airbag complaint count among 21 RAV4 model years. These complaints report 5 crashes and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 89,750 miles.

Airbags complaints
57
8% of 704
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
89,750 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Toyota RAV4 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 12, 2006, latest Mar 11, 2019.

2006 Toyota RAV4 airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2006May 2010Sep 2012Mar 2013Sep 2013May 2014Feb 2015Mar 2016
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2006 to Mar 2019; peak Nov 2013 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2006 Toyota RAV4

  1. NHTSA 14V168000Apr 9, 2014Airbags1,486,413 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

    Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.

Airbags complaints by RAV4 model year

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

  1. 200559 (42%)
  2. 200657 (8%)
  3. 200799 (10%)
  4. 200858 (10%)
  5. 200913 (4%)
  6. 201028 (7%)
  7. 201120 (7%)
  8. 201222 (8%)
  9. 201313 (5%)
  10. 201412 (6%)
  11. 201515 (5%)
  12. 201619 (8%)
  13. 201720 (7%)
  14. 201816 (5%)
  15. 201945 (5%)
  16. 202055 (9%)
  17. 2021125 (32%)
  18. 202210 (7%)
  19. 20238 (5%)
  20. 202412 (7%)
  21. 20251 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Toyota RAV4 have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2006 Toyota RAV4, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 89,750 miles.
Which Toyota RAV4 year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has the most airbag complaints (125), compared with 57 for the 2006.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2006 Toyota RAV4?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Toyota RAV4 concerns the airbag: 14V168000.

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.