The Rivian R1T Has A Dangerous Airbag Problem

Rivian defied the odds when it began deliveries of its first EV, the R1T pickup truck, beating Ford, Tesla, and General Motors to the punch. The automaker is working its way through tens of thousands of reservations for the massively popular pickup, but now it’s got a small recall to handle. Rivian is recalling 502 R1Ts over an issue that could cause the airbags to deploy when a child seat is installed, or a child is seated in the front.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the R1T’s occupant classification system (OCS) may not deactivate the airbag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat. Affected trucks were built between September 21, 2021, and April 12, 2022. The seats were discovered by reviewing manufacturing records, seat calibration information, and Rivian’s supply chain data.

Owners of affected trucks may notice that the “Passenger Airbag Off” warning light is illuminated in the gauge cluster. Rivian says that the seatbelt warning chime may sound when some vehicles’ seats are empty. Hyundai Transys Michigan supplied the seats.

No accidents or injuries relating to the issue have been reported so far. Rivian says it will reimburse owners for repair expenses that occurred before the recall as part of its policy. Owners will receive a letter and can submit receipts for expenses incurred. The OCS and seat repairs or replacement are covered under the R1T’s five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, which is separate from its battery warranty.

Rivian advises owners not to seat children or install child seats in front using text messages, emails, and the truck’s infotainment system. A snail mail notification will go out by July 1. The automaker can issue over-the-air updates to add new features, but this is one that may require a physical repair.

Airbags are life-saving devices for adults, but they can be deadly for kids. The bags inflate with such force that they can crush a car seat or badly injure a child seated in the wrong position. Even kids as old as 12 can be seriously injured, as their neck and back are still developing. The safest place for younger kids is in the back seat, either in a rear-facing seat for the youngest children or a booster seat for older kids.