Rivian Recalls Electric Delivery Vans Due to Safety Defect

Rivian has announced a recall of 34,824 electric delivery vans due to a safety defect that could prevent the driver’s seat belt from functioning properly. The company highlighted that this issue could hinder the seat belt from restraining occupants during a crash.

The models affected by this recall, disclosed on November 18, are predominantly used in Amazon’s delivery fleet. These vans were produced between December 10, 2021, and November 8, 2025.

According to Rivian, the defect stems from a damaged seat belt cable on the driver’s side. This issue can arise if a driver frequently sits on a buckled seat belt to silence the warning chime, weakening the cable necessary for proper seat belt tightening during an accident.

Fortunately, Rivian stated that there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to this defect. In September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a preliminary review concerning potential defects in van seatbelt restraints. Around the same time, they began a separate inquiry regarding frayed cables in about 17,000 vans.

In light of the NHTSA’s investigation, Rivian opted to issue the recall and implemented a software update to address the issue on December 3. This update aims to detect seat belt misuse and alert drivers accordingly.

Rivian’s service centers will inspect the seat belt systems, replacing any damaged components at no cost to the owners, with most repairs expected to take under an hour. Notably, vehicles produced after November 8 already include the misuse detection function.

Owners can expect notifications by mid-January. Rivian also plans to reimburse drivers who incurred repair costs previously. It’s important to note that this recall solely affects the electric delivery vehicle (EDV) line and does not extend to the R1S SUV or R1T pickup models.

The company reassured that the recall serves as a precautionary measure, emphasizing that the new software and design changes are permanent solutions to prevent similar issues in the future.

This recall follows a trend of recent recalls for Rivian. In September 2024, over 24,000 R1S and R1T vehicles were recalled due to flaws in the hands-free driving software. Earlier that same year, the company also addressed headlight problems affecting more than 17,000 vehicles. They’ve often relied on over-the-air updates for quick fixes, including updates that resolved issues for a previous recall of 7,800 units.

Rivian encourages vehicle owners to check their vehicle status through the online recall portal or the NHTSA database. Repairs will continue to be covered under the new vehicle limited warranty.