Rivian Issues Recall for 17,000 Trucks Due to Unreliable Headlights in Cold Conditions

      Rivian EVs are facing yet another issue with their headlights. Initially, R1T and R1S owners experienced ice accumulation, as the original headlights did not generate enough heat to melt it. Following that, there was a software glitch that rendered the exterior lights inoperable, which was later resolved through an over-the-air update. In 2024, a recall was issued for a headlight leveling sensor, and now, Rivian is recalling 17,260 vehicles due to their headlight supplier improperly manufacturing a batch that may fail in cold conditions.

      As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this issue affects 2025 model-year Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles produced between April 29, 2024, and February 3, 2025. The report indicates that the trucks "may have been manufactured with headlamps that do not meet current production specifications due to incorrectly configured parts from the supplier."

      Any Rivian with the defective headlights might experience low beams that do not activate when the vehicle is started in cold weather. The report does not specify the exact temperature at which the low beams fail; however, it states that the failure only occurs during startup. Once the vehicle has been driven for a while and the lights warm up, they function normally. The recall specifically addresses low beams, suggesting that high beams will continue to work even if there is a low beam failure. The truck will alert owners experiencing this issue with a message on the screen stating, “Low beam lights not working. Service low beams soon.”

      The Drive has contacted Rivian to inquire about the ambient temperatures that can trigger the low beam failure, whether they will eventually turn back on after driving, and if high beams remain operational. Updates to this story will follow once more information is received.

      Regrettably, this issue cannot be remedied through an over-the-air fix. The defective headlights must be completely replaced. This service will still be provided at no cost, but customers and dealers will have to wait until March 28 to be informed before the headlights can be replaced. It is estimated that only about 8% of the 17,260 trucks will be impacted, and any owners who previously paid for replacement of their faulty headlights will be reimbursed by Rivian.

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