By David Bledsoe 
Toyota RAV4 Safety Features
The Toyota RAV4 is equipped with a range of safety features designed to protect you and your passengers. In this section, we’ll explore two key safety elements: the Advanced Airbag System and the Toyota Safety Sense™ Suite.
Advanced Airbag System
The Toyota RAV4’s Advanced Airbag System provides comprehensive protection with eight airbags strategically placed throughout the vehicle. This system includes:
- Driver and front passenger airbags
- Driver knee airbag
- Front passenger seat-cushion airbag
- Front and rear side curtain airbags
| Airbag Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Driver | Driver Airbag, Knee Airbag |
| Front Passenger | Passenger Airbag, Seat-Cushion Airbag |
| Front and Rear | Side Curtain Airbags |
The deployment of these airbags ensures maximum safety by reducing the impact during collisions. For more details on how these features contribute to the overall safety ratings of the RAV4, you can read about Toyota RAV4 maintenance schedule.
Toyota Safety Sense™ Suite
Toyota Safety Sense™ is a suite of advanced safety technologies designed to help you navigate the road with confidence. The RAV4 comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5, which includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Helps detect vehicles and pedestrians and provide an audio/visual alert.
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Adjusts speed to maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Automatic High Beams: Detects oncoming vehicles and adjusts high and low beams accordingly.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Provides a warning and corrective steering if you unintentionally drift out of your lane.
- Lane Tracing Assist: Helps keep your vehicle centered in its lane.
- Road Sign Assist: Detects and displays road signs on the instrument panel.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-Collision System | Detects vehicles/pedestrians, provides alerts |
| Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | Maintains preset distance from vehicle ahead |
| Automatic High Beams | Adjusts high/low beams based on oncoming traffic |
| Lane Departure Alert | Alerts and corrects steering for lane departure |
| Lane Tracing Assist | Keeps the vehicle centered in its lane |
| Road Sign Assist | Displays road signs on instrument panel |
For details on how these features impact your driving experience, consider looking into the Toyota Safety Sense™.
Together, these safety features significantly enhance the RAV4’s safety ratings. To explore more about the vehicle’s performance and reliability, you might want to check models and features available under Toyota RAV4 trim levels and Toyota RAV4 lease deals.
Standard Safety Technologies
The Toyota RAV4 boasts an array of standard safety features designed to provide peace of mind when you’re on the road. These technologies are integral to enhancing your driving experience and ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.
Star Safety System™
The Star Safety System™ is a comprehensive suite of safety features standard on the Toyota RAV4. This system includes:
- Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC): Helps prevent side skids and maintains your Toyota’s stability by reducing engine power and applying brake force to the wheels that need it.
- Traction Control (TRAC): Reduces wheel spin during acceleration, providing better control over your vehicle.
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, maintaining steering control.
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD): Optimizes brake force based on the load of passengers and cargo.
- Brake Assist (BA): Increases braking power during emergency stops.
- Smart Stop Technology® (SST): Automatically reduces engine power when the brake is firmly applied, even if the accelerator pedal is fully pressed.
These features work together to enhance safety and performance under various driving conditions.
| Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Stability Control | Prevents side skids and maintains stability |
| Traction Control | Reduces wheel spin during acceleration |
| Anti-lock Brake System | Prevents wheel lock-up during braking |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution | Optimizes brake force for passenger and cargo load |
| Brake Assist | Increases braking power during emergencies |
| Smart Stop Technology® | Reduces engine power when brakes are applied firmly |
Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0
The Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 is another vital suite of safety technologies featured in the RAV4. The system incorporates several advanced features aimed at preventing accidents and enhancing driver awareness. Here’s what’s included:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Detects potential frontal collisions and pedestrians, providing automatic braking if necessary.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead by adjusting speed automatically.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Warns you if you unintentionally drift out of your lane and provides gentle steering assistance to help keep you in your lane.
- Lane Tracing Assist: Helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane using preceding vehicles and/or the lines on the road as a guide.
- Road Sign Assist: Recognizes road signs and displays them on the Multi-Information Display.
- Proactive Driving Assist: Adds gentle braking into curves and engages steering assist to help support driving habits.
- Automatic High Beams: Automatically switches between high and low beams for improved night visibility.
These safety technologies are designed to provide an extra layer of protection and convenience.
| Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| Pre-Collision System | Detects collisions and pedestrians, auto braking if necessary |
| Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | Maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead |
| Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist | Warns and assists in keeping the vehicle in the lane |
| Lane Tracing Assist | Keeps the vehicle centered in its lane |
| Road Sign Assist | Recognizes and displays road signs |
| Proactive Driving Assist | Adds braking in curves and provides steering support |
| Automatic High Beams | Switches between high and low beams for better visibility |
To explore more about the Toyota RAV4, including its different features and specifications, check out our articles on toyota rav4 trim levels, toyota rav4 exterior colors, and toyota rav4 maintenance schedule.
Safety Ratings and Recognition
When evaluating the Toyota RAV4, understanding its safety ratings is crucial. Two key organizations provide comprehensive safety assessments: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
IIHS Safety Ratings
The IIHS is renowned for its rigorous evaluation process. For the Toyota RAV4, the IIHS performs various crashworthiness tests, which include:
- Small Overlap Front: Driver-side
- Small Overlap Front: Passenger-side
- Moderate Overlap Front
- Side Impact
- Roof Strength
- Head Restraints and Seats
The IIHS also assesses crash avoidance and mitigation features, such as:
- Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
- Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian
- Headlights
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
The Toyota RAV4 has performed well in these evaluations. For more detailed ratings, you can visit the IIHS website.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
The NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program provides consumers with crucial information on vehicle safety. This program evaluates vehicle performance in three key crash tests:
- Frontal Crash Test
- Side Crash Test
- Rollover Test
These tests account for the majority of collisions on American roadways.
Frontal Crash Test: This test represents a head-on collision, where crash dummies (an average-size adult male in the driver’s seat and a small-size adult female in the front passenger seat) are secured with seat belts and crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph.
Side Crash Test: This test represents a side collision where dummies are placed in the driver and rear passenger seats. Instruments measure the force of impact on multiple body regions including the head, neck, chest, and pelvis.
Rollover Test: This test measures the vehicle’s susceptibility to tipping over during sharp turns.
The Toyota RAV4 scores impressively in these categories, earning high marks for both crashworthiness and crash avoidance. You can check the NHTSA website for more detailed information.
| Test Type | Rating |
|---|---|
| Frontal Crash | 5 Stars |
| Side Crash | 5 Stars |
| Rollover | 4 Stars |
These excellent safety ratings reflect Toyota’s dedication to providing secure and reliable vehicles. For more information on the RAV4, including Toyota RAV4 maintenance schedule and Toyota RAV4 trim levels, explore our other detailed articles.
Toyota RAV4 Recalls
Recall for Incorrect Airbag Deployment
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD faced a recall due to an issue with the airbag deployment system. The problem originated from the incorrect detection of an occupant, which could lead to the improper deployment of airbags during a crash, significantly increasing the risk of injuries (Lemon Law 123). This recall highlights the importance of staying updated with your vehicle’s safety standards and ensuring that any recall-related repairs are addressed promptly. For more details on your Toyota RAV4 maintenance schedule, visit our dedicated page.
Transmission Defects and Issues
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 encountered a range of transmission defects, which have been a cause of concern for many owners. These issues included:
- Leaking transmission fluid
- Stumbling during downshifting
- Lagging transmission, causing hesitation to shift from one gear to the next
Such defects can severely impact the driving experience and pose a potential safety hazard (Lemon Law 123). If you own a 2020 Toyota RAV4, it is crucial to be aware of these issues and ensure any necessary repairs are made. For more information on troubleshooting guides and Toyota RAV4 performance chips, refer to our dedicated sections.
Model-Specific Safety Features
When it comes to safety, Toyota ensures that their models are equipped with advanced technologies to protect you and your passengers. The GR Supra and GR86 models are no exception, boasting unique and intelligent safety features.
GR Supra Safety Technologies
The Toyota GR Supra is designed with a range of advanced safety technologies aimed at enhancing your on-road security. Some of the key features include:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: This system uses sensors to detect potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians, applying the brakes automatically if needed (Toyota Safety Sense™).
- Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist: Helps prevent accidental lane departures by providing audio and visual alerts, along with gentle steer assistance to guide you back into your lane.
- Automatic High Beams: Automatically adjusts the high and low beams based on the surrounding traffic conditions, ensuring optimal visibility at night.
- Speed Limit Information: Displays speed limit information directly on your dashboard, keeping you informed of the current road regulations.
GR86 Intelligent Safety Features
The Toyota GR86 is packed with intelligent safety features designed to offer a smooth and secure driving experience. Key features include:
- Pre-Collision Braking System: This system detects potential forward collisions and applies the brakes automatically to avoid or mitigate the impact (Toyota Safety Sense™).
- Pre-Collision Throttle Management: Reduces engine power to prevent acceleration when an obstacle is detected ahead.
- Blind Spot Detection: Monitors your blind spots and provides alerts if another vehicle is detected in those areas, promoting safer lane changes.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, making long drives more convenient.
- Automatic High Beams: Enhances nighttime visibility by automatically toggling between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic and surroundings.
By integrating these safety technologies, Toyota demonstrates its commitment to providing safe and reliable vehicles for you. For more information on specific features and how they compare across different Toyota models, visit our articles on Toyota RAV4 trim levels and Toyota RAV4 technology package. Additionally, if you are comparing the RAV4 with other models, check out our detailed comparison in Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CRV.