2021 Toyota RAV4 · Safety restraints
Air bag system safety defect
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
What the reviewed source says
Start with the documented condition, not a parts guess.
NHTSA campaign 23V865000 includes certain 2020 to 2021 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. 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. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Words owners may use
Does this match the moment?
Symptoms in the pattern
- An air bag or SRS warning may appear, but some affected vehicles have no advance warning
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Vehicles and scope
- 2020 to 2021 Toyota RAV4
- NHTSA campaign 23V865000
- The manufacturer filing lists 999,901 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Manufacturer position
What the official procedure directs
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.
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Original evidence
Open the documents behind this page.
Repair paths and safe checks
Separate the diagnosis from the action.
Use the official recall 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.
Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Check the complete VIN before arranging work
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Useful before authorizing work
Read the method beside the problem
These guides explain the safety and evidence checks that apply to this problem file.
Check recalls by VIN
A VIN search checks the displayed NHTSA records for an unrepaired safety recall associated with one vehicle. A model search shows only the wider campaign population.
Read guide ↗When a car is unsafe
A warning light does not always mean the same thing, but weak brakes or smoke leave little room for experimentation. Damaged tires and certain recall instructions can do the same.
Read guide ↗Why symptoms overlap
“It makes a weird noise” is useful human language. Diagnosis begins when that language is tied to the exact vehicle and its operating conditions.
Read guide ↗More for this model
Other reviewed Toyota RAV4 conditions
2019 Toyota RAV4 · Suspension, wheels & tires
Front lower control arm may crack and separate
NHTSA campaign 20V286000 lists the 2019 Toyota RAV4 for a condition in which front lower control arm may crack and separate.
2022 Toyota RAV4 · Safety restraints
Air bag system safety defect
The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant.
2015 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 · Electrical & software
High-voltage battery fire risk
Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.