- Rivian has announced a recall of 17,260 of its R1 trucks and SUVs.
- 2025 models are suffering from inoperative low-beam headlights.
- Service centers and mobile techs will fit new headlight control modules.
Rivian’s headlights are among the most distinctive in the business. The trouble is, the lamps on some 2025 examples aren’t fulfilling their primary obligation to help drivers see and be seen. As a result the automaker is recalling more than 17,000 examples of its two R1 models.
The problem lies with the low beam headlights on the R1T truck and R1S SUV, which may fail to wake up when owners attempt to start their EVs in cold weather conditions. One or more of the lights might not illuminate and owners won’t have to wait until they’re flashed by oncoming drivers to know it. The EV will display a message on the screen telling them “Low beam mights not working. Service low beams soon.”
Related: Guess How Much It Costs To Repair This Rivian R1T
Rivian traced the issue back to incorrectly configured parts supplied during manufacturing and fitted to vehicles produced between April 29, 2024, and February 3, 2025. A total of 17,260 of the company’s electric utilities now need headlamp control modules replaced, which means this is no OTA quick fix, and requires some wrenching by a Rivian technician.
Although the company does have some service centers across North America, it doesn’t have a ton of them compared with legacy automakers like Mercedes or BMW. There were only around 60 at last count, though Rivian is rolling out more every year and hopes to have more than 100 by the end of 2025. And it does have mobile technicians that move about the country dealing with issues for those who can’t get to a fixed service site.
Rivian owners are no strangers to headlight headaches. In June 2024, the company recalled certain R1T and R1S models due to headlight level errors, where the headlamps were aimed slightly too low, potentially leading to insufficient road illumination.
Having lights that don’t work as they should is obviously inconvenient and could be dangerous (though Rivian says it’s received no reports of accidents related to the latest problem). But it’s also illegal, making the vehicle noncompliant with FMVSS 108, the section of US law governing vehicle lamps.
