2023 Rivian R1T Airbags Problems

No changes to the car happened before the airbag system went out.

NHTSA ID

11720146

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

Rivian passenger airbag is usually disabled (70 % cases) with adult passengers weighing about 125 lbs while they sit correctly in the front passenger seat. There is a warning light "Passenger airbag off". No problems with heavier passengers (> 140 lbs). There are tons of threads about this issue on Rivian forums, Reddit or Facebook groups. Based on these threads, sometimes Rivian service centers try to fix it (often unseccessfully) and sometimes they say it's normal. I've contacted a Rivian service through the Rivian app and they told me that it's a normal behavior because 125 lbs is near the treshold. But I never had similar issues with other cars.

NHTSA ID

11636817

Incident

Jan 13, 2025

The passenger side airbag notification shows that the airbag is disabled when a passenger is seated in the seat and the car is moving. This happens very frequently when driving at various speed. If the passenger is not seated exactly at 90 degrees deeply in the seat in a perfect position, the airbag will be disabled. The sensitivity of the airbag sensor is very concerning. No one will sit straight position perfectly in a car, especially on longer rides and this is very scary to put the passenger at risk. The vehicle has been brought up for service for this particular issue and there has been no resolutions as it is deem "per the specs" by the service center. The problem has been reproduced by them, but again it was not repaired or fixed since it is diagnosed as normal operation.

NHTSA ID

11614821

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Concern: - Passenger seat not detecting person sitting in it. Airbag not arming. Cause: - The Occupant Classification System (OCS) uses a pressure sensor in the seat bottom to classify whatever is in the front passenger's seat. An improperly seated occupant can "trick" the OCS into possibly classifying the occupant incorrectly. Being improperly seated can include improper use of child restraints, improper posture such as leg placement, reclining the seatback too far back, weight of the passenger that is too close to threshold values (movement might effect the narrow weight distribution, gray zone), and using aftermarket cushions and coverings on the seat. If the occupant is a child in a properly secured child-restraint, or if there is no occupant in the seat, the "Passenger Airbag OFF" telltale is expected to be illuminated. For adults, the "Passenger Airbag ON" telltale should be illuminated at vehicle startup. At this time, the occupant protection sensors and modules are functioning as designed.

NHTSA ID

11584501

Incident

Apr 19, 2024

While driving with a passenger in the front seat, I noticed the passenger airbag was not enabled. Seems the passenger is not detected. Sometime having the passenger moving around or adjusting the seat/seatbelt would fix the issue and the airbag will enable. Randomly occurs and randomly fixes. Once it is enabled it seems to stay enabled for the remainder of the drive.

NHTSA ID

11573682

Incident

Feb 23, 2024

Front Passenger airbag sensor does not recognize when a passenger is sitting in the seat. Airbag sensor turns off and on while driving depending on how passenger sits. If passenger shifts slightly forward the airbag sensor no longer detects them. I have never seen an issue like this in any other vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11562517

Incident

Dec 29, 2023

The front passenger airbag sensor goes on and off when my passenger sits in the front seat. My passenger is 133 pounds and sometimes it triggers the "disabled" airbag icon and sometimes it doens't. It's very inconsistent and I fear that if it is in the disabled position at the time of an accident the airbags will not deploy. The vehicle has not been inspected by a licensed professional, manufacturer or police.

NHTSA ID

11562140

Incident

Dec 27, 2023

Hello, I have a concern about the passenger side airbag in my 2023 Rivian R1T pickup truck. My wife is very small (weighs about 110 lbs., 5'2" tall). I've noticed on several occasions that when she's sitting in the passenger seat the airbag sensor will turn off because it's not detecting her sitting there. This happens more often if she crosses her legs or reclines the seat too much. As if she's not putting enough weight directly on the seat airbag sensor. I understand this is a common complaint and have seen many threads about it in the online forums and on Reddit. I spoke with the Rivian Service Center in Gaithersburg, MD, on Nov. 1 and was told it is "within spec". However it is my opinion that they should look into the weight threshold on the seat and ensure that it stays on when people are sitting there. Perhaps by tying it into the seatbelt buckle sensor? I am entering this complaint in hopes of drawing more attention to the issue so that Rivian might look into it. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11562124

Incident

Dec 27, 2023

The Rivian R1T's 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. Some Rivian dealers say it is set at 135 pounds; one dealer said it is set at 150 pounds. When we complain to Rivian, they say the car is "functioning as designed," but will not tell us what those design parameters are. I cannot ride in my own car.

NHTSA ID

11561699

Incident

Dec 24, 2023

When there's a passenger sitting in the passenger seat, the car consistently fails to detect the passenger and the "AIRBAGS OFF" indicator remains on. I've brought the car in for service and Rivian says it's acting in normal parameters.

NHTSA ID

11561452

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

I've witnessed on multiple occasions where the 'Passenger Air Bag Off' warning comes on while my 120-125lb husband is sitting in the seat. If he shifts his seating position it comes back on, but it doesn't seem appropriate that the air bag would disable mid-drive while his seat belt had been buckled and door closed the entire time. If it detected him at the start of the drive, it should remain on for the duration of the drive. I reported this in a service ticket to the manufacturer, but was told it is working as designed.

NHTSA ID

11560415

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

Front passenger airbag sometimes fails to activate when my friend, weighing 120 pounds, is sitting in the front passenger seat.

NHTSA ID

11560397

Incident

Dec 11, 2023

The passenger airbag is not engaged for anyone under 150lbs, which includes my wife, 16 year old daughter, 14 year old son and 13 year old daughter. Seems a dangerous setting to have such a high weight threshhold for Rivian and they keep responding to owners that all is functioning normal.

NHTSA ID

11549148

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

The passenger airbag sensor is malfunctioning. When a passenger weighing 115 pounds is seated in the front passenger seat with the seatbelt connected, the vehicle disables the airbag. This has been documented with pictures and video multiple times to Rivian. They had the vehicle at their service center recently and informed me that the sensor was working properly. I implored them to road test it with an passenger of similar weight. I did not receive confirmation if they road tested the vehicle and it was returned to me with the same problem. I have since spoken with a manager by the name of Luis Nieves who promised to look into the issue. I have repeatedly tried to contact Mr. Nieves to no avail. Calls and messages to the service center have also not been responded to. I am driving a vehicle that is unsafe for passengers, and based on the forums I read, I don't think that I'm alone with this issue. You are welcome to inspect my vehicle, and I can provide pictures and video examples. This puts my passenger (weighing 115lbs) at risk every time we drive the vehicle. The dealer told me that they could not replicate the problem. I have no reason to believe that they road tested it as suggested.

NHTSA ID

11545749

Incident

Jun 1, 2023