Following a two-month investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian has announced a recall affecting nearly 35,000 of its all-electric delivery vans. The recall stems from a potential safety issue with the driver’s side seat belt pretensioner on certain examples of the Rivian EDV. According to the automaker, repeated misuse of the seat belt could damage the pretensioner. This misuse may include situations where the driver sits on the seat belt while it is buckled underneath them. If the pretensioner cable becomes compromised, it may not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, which could increase the likelihood of injury.
Rivian explains that a damaged pretensioner might be noticeable to the driver in some cases, though in others it may not be easily detectable. Despite the potential safety concern, the company emphasizes that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries linked to this issue. The initial NHTSA inquiry, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation, focused on 17,198 examples of the 2022 and 2023 model year EDVs. However, the recall extends to vehicles produced in 2024 and 2025 as well. The affected vehicles were all manufactured between December 10, 2021, and November 8, 2025, bringing the total number of impacted vans to 34,824.
In response to the issue, Rivian has already deployed an over-the-air software update designed to automatically detect instances of driver seat belt misuse. The company has also committed to inspecting all affected vans and replacing the driver’s seat belt pretensioner assembly as needed, free of charge. Additionally, Rivian plans to reimburse any owners who may have already paid out of pocket to repair this problem.
Originally, the Rivian EDV was developed exclusively for Amazon, which placed a massive order for 100,000 vans, all slated for delivery by 2030. The vehicles have since been made available to other companies and are now sold under the name ECV, short for electric commercial van. This broader availability highlights Rivian’s growing ambitions beyond its initial Amazon partnership, offering a sustainable solution for businesses seeking electric delivery vehicles.
The recall underscores the challenges automakers face as vehicles become increasingly electrified and technologically complex. While the issue is largely preventative, it demonstrates Rivian’s commitment to safety and transparency, taking proactive steps to ensure that its growing fleet of electric vans meets high standards for occupant protection. As EV adoption expands across commercial fleets, ensuring that critical safety components such as seat belt pretensioners function correctly is paramount, and Rivian’s swift response reflects the company’s dedication to maintaining customer confidence and regulatory compliance.