If you drive a 2022-2025 Rivian R1T or R1S, there's a growing safety issue that may affect your vehicle – yet it remains largely unresolved. Dozens of Rivian owners are reporting a dangerous problem: the front passenger airbag shuts off even when an adult is properly seated. Despite mounting complaints, Rivian has yet to issue a comprehensive recall or admit fault for this potential flaw in the passenger airbag system.

A National Problem with Serious Safety Risks

Across the U.S., owners of Rivian R1T and R1S trucks are noticing their passenger airbag turning off under normal use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), complaints span from California to Massachusetts, New York to Washington – this is not an isolated issue.

Drivers describe scenarios where adult passengers, some weighing up to 145 lbs, trigger the “Passenger Airbag OFF” warning, even while seated upright and belted in.

“The front passenger airbag does not engage if you weigh less than a certain amount. I am 5'2" and 120 pounds, and the airbag is 'off' if I sit in the passenger seat.” — NHTSA Complaint, North Easton, MA

This phenomenon, reportedly caused by a passenger seat pressure sensor fault, poses a risk of airbags not deploying in an accident. Several drivers note the airbag system toggling mid-drive based on slight shifts in posture or seating position.

“I've seen the light go off during the ride just because my wife adjusted her seat. It's scary to think the airbag might not work when it matters.” — Reddit user

Despite the clear pattern, Rivian service centers often dismiss the complaints as “within spec,” leaving owners frustrated and feeling unsafe.

Existing Recalls Are Not Enough

While Rivian did issue a Rivian airbag recall (NHTSA Campaign 24V408000) for 1,723 vehicles due to faulty side curtain airbag deployment, this is unrelated to the occupant detection system responsible for disabling the front passenger airbag. In other words, the recall doesn't address the core of the current safety concern—the passenger airbag flaw affecting people under a certain weight.

Even more troubling, some owners report the airbag fails to activate for passengers weighing as much as 150 pounds.

“The airbag turns off unless you sit perfectly upright. Who does that on a long ride? This isn't just an inconvenience - it's a real safety issue.” — Owner complaint, Hanover, MA

No Official Investigation Yet

To date, no widespread recall or federal investigation has been launched to address this recurring defect. However, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 (FMVSS 208) mandates that airbags protect all occupants over a certain threshold. If Rivian's system fails to reliably detect and protect adult passengers under 150 lbs, it may fall short of that standard.

There are now dozens of formal complaints filed with NHTSA, and even more detailed on forums like Rivian Forums and Reddit. This issue has reached national scale, but regulatory bodies have yet to act.

What Can Owners Do?

If your Rivian's passenger airbag shuts off or behaves inconsistently, you may have legal options.

Owners with substantial and recurring problems may be entitled to a refund or replacement under lemon law. Other owners may have claims for breach of warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Act.

At our law office, we help owners like you pursue compensation for defective vehicles. Whether your Rivian was dismissed by a service center or you're unsure if you qualify, our attorneys can evaluate your case.

Call us today for a free consultation. We're here to help – and we also work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win.

Sources:

• Rivian Forums – Passenger Airbag Turns Off
• NHTSA – 2022 Rivian R1S Recalls
• Reddit – Seriously Regret Our R1T
• Reddit – Does Rivian Have a Passenger Airbag Flaw?
• Reddit – R1S Airbags
• Rivian Forums – Airbags and Light Passengers
• Federal Register – FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection
• NHTSA – 2023 Rivian R1T Complaints

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