Rivian Automotive announced a voluntary safety recall of 34,824 U.S. electric delivery vans (EDVs) on December 3 2025 after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified a defect in the seat‑belt pretensioner cable that could compromise driver restraint during a crash.
The defect arises when the pretensioner cable is damaged by repeated misuse, such as a driver sitting on a buckled seat belt. Rivian will deploy an over‑the‑air software update that detects misuse and will inspect and replace the pretensioner assembly in affected vehicles where necessary.
The recall covers EDVs produced between December 10 2021 and November 8 2025, a production window that spans the company’s first full year of commercial deliveries and the period during which Amazon’s delivery fleet was built. The 34,824 vehicles represent roughly 1.5 % of the total EDV fleet delivered to date.
This recall highlights ongoing quality‑control challenges as Rivian scales production. The defect’s root cause—misuse rather than a design flaw—suggests a need for clearer user education, especially for commercial operators who perform frequent ingress and egress. The recall will incur inspection and replacement costs and could dent the company’s reputation, but the OTA update mitigates logistical complexity and limits the need for physical service visits.
Beyond the immediate repair costs, the recall underscores broader operational pressures. Rivian’s cash position remains strong thanks to a joint venture with Volkswagen, yet the company continues to post net losses and is focused on improving gross margins. The recall adds to a history of quality issues, including prior seat‑belt sensor and accelerator pedal recalls, and may influence investor perception as Rivian prepares to launch its more affordable R2 model in 2026.
The recall also intersects with Rivian’s partnership with Amazon, which owns a significant portion of the EDV fleet. Frequent use by delivery drivers may accelerate cable wear, and the recall could prompt Amazon to review its fleet maintenance protocols. Meanwhile, Rivian’s management has emphasized cost discipline and strategic investments in the R2 platform, signaling confidence in long‑term profitability despite short‑term operational setbacks.
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