Buckle Up! Rivian Recalls R1T & R1S for Potentially Loose Seat Belts!

TL;DR: Rivian is recalling 869 R1T pickups and R1S SUVs from 2022-2026 model years due to improperly tightened second-row seat belt retractors. A simple fix, but a necessary service visit for safety.

Meta: Rivian recalls 869 R1T and R1S vehicles due to potentially improperly secured second-row seat belt retractors.

Alright, folks, listen up! Rivian, those cool cats making electric trucks and SUVs, just dropped a recall notice. We're talkin' 'bout a limited number of their R1T pickups and R1S SUVs from model years 2022-2026. The issue? Potentially improperly secured second-row seat belt retractors. Now, when it comes to safety, especially seat belts, you don't play around, baby. You gotta make sure those little ones (or big ones!) in the back are strapped in tight. Rivian's on it, but it means a little trip to the service center for some lucky owners.

A Loose End in Production

According to the filings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this recall covers 869 vehicles. The problem involves the bolts that secure the second-row driver and passenger-side seat belt retractor assemblies. Apparently, during the manufacturing process, some of 'em might not have been tightened enough. If those retractors aren't secured properly, then in a crash, the seat belts might not do their job as intended, which, as you know, is a big no-no.

Rivian says they first caught wind of this back in September 2025 when a service technician found an improperly secured seat belt during an R1T inspection. They launched a full investigation, digging through manufacturing records, and identified the specific batch of vehicles built between September 15, 2021, and May 15, 2025. Now, they estimate that only about 1 percent of the recalled vehicles actually have this defect, but when it comes to safety, you take no chances. They're not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this, which is good news, but a rattling noise from the C-pillar area could be a sign you got one of the affected rides.

The Fix is In (Not Over-the-Air)

Now, unlike some of those software glitches we hear about, this ain't something you can fix with an over-the-air update. This requires a good old-fashioned service visit, baby. Rivian's gonna have their technicians inspect the second-row seat belt retractor assemblies and tighten those mounting bolts as needed. And don't worry, it'll all be done free of charge. That's how it should be when it comes to keeping folks safe. It's a relatively simple fix, but absolutely critical for peace of mind and, well, actual safety.

This kind of recall is a reminder that even the newest, most high-tech automakers gotta keep their eye on the ball when it comes to manufacturing quality. Precision matters, especially when human lives are on the line. Rivian's building some fantastic vehicles, and this is just a little bump in the road to perfection. But a bump you gotta address head-on, no question.

What's Next

If you own a 2022-2025 R1T or 2022-2026 R1S, keep an eye on your mailbox for a notification from Rivian. If you notice any rattling from the C-pillar area, don't ignore it. Get that service appointment booked and let those Rivian pros make sure everything's snug as a bug. Because when you're hitting the trails or just cruising the highway, you want to know everyone's strapped in right.

Stay safe out there, and make sure those seatbelts are tighter than a drum, baby! ```