Electric truck startup Rivian is asking owners of its 2022 R1T pickup to keep children out of the front seat until the company has a chance to repair a defect.
It’s Rivian’s first recall. That’s a small automotive dishonor – nearly every car gets recalled at least once.
The problem involves the Occupant Classification System, which turns off some airbags when a child occupies the front seat. Rivian believes just 502 trucks are affected – all built between September 21, 2021, and April 12, 2022.
Front airbags can save the lives of adults. But, because they are positioned to cushion an adult’s body in a crash, they can strike a child too high up and cause a neck injury. So, a sensor deactivates them when it detects a child in the front passenger seat. In some R1Ts, it isn’t working properly.
Rivian will fix the problem by replacing the entire seat free of charge.
Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner, but they don’t always reach them all with the news. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.
