A design flaw in the Rivian R1S all-electric SUV may mean that you could miss the reverse light when the vehicle is backing up. As a result, the automaker has had to design a new light that will be retrofitted onto vehicles in customer hands.
The issue affects 5,030 R1Ss built between November 19, 2021, and March 21, 2023. These were shipped with reverse lights that do not meet federal regulations. Although the light will shine, the optical center of the lamps may not be adequately visible to satisfy the Department of Transportation’s requirements.
Naturally, reversing lights are important because they alert others that the vehicle is backing up. If they cannot be seen, a passerby may not understand that a vehicle is backing up, and could be hit by the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Read: Rivian Recalls Nearly 13,000 Vehicles Because Of Airbag That Might Not Deploy
Fortunately, Rivian is not aware of any accidents, injuries, or deaths resulting from this design error so far. This is likely because the R1S’s other backup warning systems are functioning correctly.
Rivian notes that the R1S does make the reverse operating sound, as required by federal regulations. That should help warn pedestrians to the approach of a reversing vehicle, even if they can’t see the white back-up light. The vehicle’s onboard sensors are also working as intended, which should help the SUV’s driver avoid collisions.
The company was made aware that the reverse lights on the R1S are non-compliant on March 8, 2023. Although the SUV’s taillights appear to be similar in design to its sister vehicle, the R1T pickup, it is the only model affected by this recall. We have reached out to Rivian for more information on that score, and will update this story when we hear back.
The automaker says it has revised the design of the vehicle’s taillights, and will install the new units in vehicles affected by this issue. Rivian will start reaching out to customers on May 20 to alert them to the existence of the recall campaign.
