2023 Rivian R1S airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V408000Jun 5, 20241,723 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

  Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles. The attachment clips on the upper B-pillar and/or C-pillar trim panels may have been damaged during a service procedure.

  Risk: Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  Remedy: Rivian will replace the pillar trim panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM 1464.

• Recall 23V159000Mar 9, 202330 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

  Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S vehicles. The fasteners that secure the right and left side curtain air bags may be improperly secured.

  Risk: Improperly secured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will secure or replace the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. All owners have been notified and all vehicles will be repaired by March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1185.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 10, 2026CAAirbags

   When an adult passenger is in the vehicle passenger seat, the passenger airbag light shows "airbag off" Approximate weight 130 pounds

   NHTSA complaint #11749527 · source
2. Filed Mar 9, 2026PAAirbags

   Yesterday was the 3rd time in 2 months that the vehicle displayed a "Airbag System needs service - Drive with caution until serviced" warning. I have taken it to Rivian 2 times where each time they replaced various components of the airbag system and it was reported to be fixed. Yesterday the warning returned. I am extremely concerned that Rivian does not have the ability to properly diagnose and or fix whatever the underlying issue is regarding my airbag system. I am now…

   NHTSA complaint #11723046 · source
3. Filed Jan 5, 2026CAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   On five separate occasions the airbag system on my car has become inoperable. Starting in July 2025 I noticed an airbag error on the display of the vehicle. I brought the car in for service and they replaced the steering wheel. The airbag error occurred again in August, this time requiring replacement of a different wiring harness. The error occurred again and again went in for service in November, this time replacing the front seats, seatbelt control modules, and the airbag…

   NHTSA complaint #11708710 · source
4. Filed Mar 7, 2025CAAirbags

   Front passenger airbag is inactive for long periods of time while a passenger is seated in the vehicle during operation. This is indicated by the message displaying the airbag as being off. This occurs regularly with an adult seated normally in the seat while traveling at highway speeds, for long periods of time. I reported this to Rivian and they said the car is functioning normally but it does not seem safe that the airbag is turned off with a passenger present in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11647002 · source
5. Filed Jan 25, 2025ILAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   the sensitivity of the airbag sensor on the passenger seat is not functioning properly in my opinion. there are times when there is a passenger present and seated, the car is showing that the passenger airbag is off. I took the car to Rivian service center. They indicated that they could not replicate the problem and that to make sure the passengers are over 110 lbs. They also noted that with future software update, they may make it better, which indicates to me that they…

   NHTSA complaint #11638491 · source
6. Filed Nov 20, 2024ILAirbags

   The passenger seat airbag turns off when a passenger is sitting in the seat. I have taken the vehicle to the service center twice for this issue and they insist it is working as intended. This is a major safety issue for myself and children when we are sitting in the passenger seat. Please help in resolving this!

   NHTSA complaint #11626513 · source
7. Filed Jul 6, 2024NCAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I received a critical safety recall regarding side air bags from Rivian regarding my 2023 R1S on June 14. After multiple attempts by me to connect with their Customer Service, I was informed that a mobile service technician would come to fix the issue on August 26, 2024. This would be more than 60 days after Rivian's initial notification. Additionally, on July 6 2024, when I turned on the vehicle, I was notified of multiple system failures. I promptly created an incident…

   NHTSA complaint #11599545 · source
8. Filed Jun 13, 2024CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   My right front passenger seat does not detect adult occupants reliably, and therefore does not enable the airbags. My wife is approximately 105 pounds and sits in the seat in a standard upright fashion without leaning back. Her legs are not crossed and are just resting on the floor. it is rare that the vehicle detects her presence and therefore she is rarely protected by the safety restraint system in the event of an accident. I brought the vehicle into Rivian Service and…

   NHTSA complaint #11594215 · source
9. Filed May 21, 2024FLAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   The Rivian is designed to kill fat people. The Airbag for the passenger seat does not function if there is a large person in the seat or the seat is very far forward with a normal person. When someone sits in the passenger seat the lower left corner of the central display changes from “Passenger Airbag Off” to the passenger climate control display. If you pull the seatbelt all the way out the display reverts back to the “Passenger Airbag Off” sign. The seat belt has to…

   NHTSA complaint #11589863 · source
10. Filed May 2, 2024ARAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    The passenger side airbag shows that it is turned off about 50% of the time that my wife is riding in the passenger seat. She meets the minimum weight requirement for passenger airbag deployment. If she moves around in the seat the airbag off light will go out temporarily but usually comes back on within several miles of driving. This vehicle is available for inspection. When this happens my wife or any other passenger is at risk of not having an airbag if an accident was to…

    NHTSA complaint #11586504 · source
11. Filed Apr 27, 2024FLAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    Since the vehicle was new, I have had a problem with the air bag being off when a large person is in the passenger seat. I have reported this to Rivian. Rivian has sent a technician out to fix this. The technician indicated that he could not fix this as planned and would submit it to engineering as a safety issue. I have made multiple inquiries since then and received no information on when this will be resolved. I have also had 3 software updates since then and the problem…

    NHTSA complaint #11585607 · source
12. Filed Mar 29, 2024CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    My wife does not shows up as a passenger in the front seat about 30% of the time with the seatbelt fastened. She is 105~108 lbs. This is a continuing problem with no fix in sight. Not registering when seated means two key things: 1) no airbag support in case of an accident 2) passenger side climate control doesn't function separately from synced mode. After multiple attempt with the Rivian service center/mobile service, all they can only say that it's within spec. Rivian SC…

    NHTSA complaint #11580094 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology