These Rivians Require Vision Checks After Highway Assist Malfunctions | Carscoops

      Over 24,000 electric vehicles are being recalled due to their Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) being unable to detect other cars.

      Rivian is recalling 24,000 EVs linked to issues with its Highway Assist software.

      The MY25 models may struggle to recognize vehicles in front of them and will need an over-the-air (OTA) update.

      The company is also working on software for Volkswagen's next-generation electric vehicles set to launch in 2027.

      In addition to sleek new designs and a front-wheel-drive EV platform, upcoming Volkswagens, including the ID. Golf, will feature Rivian's software, which German executives believe will provide a competitive advantage. However, in the United States, a software issue at Rivian has resulted in the recall of thousands of EVs, a situation that could be concerning for Volkswagen in Wolfsburg.

      Related: Google Maps Glitch Causes Some Rivians to Reboot Daily

      The issue involves the hands-free Highway Assist (HWA) ADAS system that comes with the R1T truck and its R1S SUV counterpart. Units running a software version prior to 2025.18.30 may not accurately detect a vehicle ahead. With up to 1,050 hp (1,065 PS / 783 kW) propelling these EVs, this could potentially result in a significant accident.

      Recall by Update

      A total of 24,214 R1S and R1T EVs manufactured for the 2025 model year are impacted and need a software update to fix the issue. Fortunately for owners, due to the limited number of Rivian service centers—currently about 81, though this number is expected to grow to 100 by the end of 2025—the recall can be addressed via an over-the-air update.

      Rivian is aware of one incident related to this issue involving a MY25 R1S, in which the HWA system had a temporary functional limitation at a very low speed. In that case from May 2025, the driver "failed to maintain continuous and sustained responsibility for vehicle operation," as noted in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall records.

      This hints that the driver might not have been attentive, assuming the ADAS was fully autonomous, when in reality, HWA is classified as a Level 2 system, requiring drivers to be prepared to take back control.

      Evolving Driver Assistance

      Building on the initial Highway Assist, Rivian introduced Enhanced Highway Assist in March 2025. This upgrade employs 11 cameras and five radar units to enable hands-free travel on 135,000 miles (217,000 km) of roads across the U.S. and Canada. Future iterations will permit drivers to divert their attention from the road as well as their hands from the wheel for a more autonomous driving experience.

      Rivian reports that 99 percent of the affected EVs have already received a fix through an update rolled out in June of this year. The remaining vehicles’ ADAS systems will be fully operational once owners download the software.