Recall 15V284 affects 159,700 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4s for driver air bag inflators susceptible to rupture. Do not drive. Free repair at Toyota dealers.
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive, even for short trips, until the recall remedy is complete. Ask Toyota about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 159,700 2004-2005 RAV4 vehicles because moisture can enter the dual-stage driver frontal air bag inflator and lead it to rupture during deployment. Do not drive an included RAV4 until a Toyota dealer completes the free repair, because metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers in a crash.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the steering-wheel air bag module. In a crash that calls for deployment, it creates gas that fills the air bag so the bag can cushion the driver. On the 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4, this recall concerns the driver-side inflator, not the passenger air bag.
The problem is the initiator seal ring inside the PSDI-5 inflator. That seal is supposed to keep air and moisture out of the inflator. Toyota found that insufficient sealing lets moisture enter over time. Moisture changes the inflator's internal condition, and during deployment the inflator can rupture instead of opening in a controlled way.
An owner will not feel this problem during normal driving. There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, steering wheel, and normal road feel do not give a reliable early clue that moisture has reached the inflator.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2004 and 2005 RAV4 model years, both tied to the same driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2004 Toyota RAV4 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2005 Toyota RAV4 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 159,700 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive, even for short trips, until the recall remedy is complete. Ask Toyota about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the driver frontal air bag replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free driver frontal air bag replacement that addresses moisture intrusion in the inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota has mailed one. Reference recall number 15V284 when you call.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until this recall repair is complete. At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the driver frontal air bag inflator with a newly manufactured inflator. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you have already paid to fix this condition before the campaign, ask the Toyota service desk how to submit your repair paperwork under Toyota's General Reimbursement Plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| August 21, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V284?
Recall 15V284 covers 159,700 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 vehicles with a driver frontal air bag inflator that can rupture after moisture intrusion. In a crash with air bag deployment, metal fragments can strike occupants. Toyota dealers replace the driver's frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RAV4 is included in recall 15V284. Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the repair. Call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 15V284 when you ask about the free driver's frontal air bag replacement and towing.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota dealers replace the driver's frontal air bag free of charge. The recall remedy began on August 21, 2015, after Toyota mailed an interim notice on June 17, 2015.
What does do not drive mean for this Toyota RAV4 recall?
Do not drive means the vehicle should stay parked until the recall repair is complete. The risk is tied to driver frontal air bag deployment in a crash, where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. Ask the Toyota dealer about towing.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V284000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V284 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V284000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →