For the second time in recent weeks, Rivian is recalling vehicles due to airbag-related problems. The electric vehicle manufacturer is informing owners of affected 2022-23 R1S SUVs about potentially malfunctioning side-curtain airbags.
The recall states that one or more side-curtain airbags (on the left or right side) in the affected models may not have been secured correctly. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles in question were manufactured at Rivian’s plant in Normal, IL, between October 28th, 2022, and January 21st, 2023. Rivian began contacting customers on March 2nd to arrange inspections and ensure proper fastening. The company has also pledged to reimburse any owners who have already paid for the repair elsewhere.
While the current recall impacts only 30 vehicles, it follows a more extensive airbag-related recall issued less than a month ago. On March 1st, Rivian recalled over 12,000 2022 R1T pickups and R1S SUVs due to an airbag deployment issue caused by a supplier’s faulty seatbelt sensors, which prevented the front passenger airbags from deploying. However, Rivian estimated that only one percent of the recalled vehicles were actually affected.
Although the recalls are unlikely to cause significant financial strain for Rivian, the situation is not ideal for the fledgling automaker, particularly given its recent decision to lay off six percent of its workforce for the second time in under a year.
