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Rivian R1S and R1T electrical recalls: drive power and software problems
All three of these Rivian recalls land on the same pair of vehicles — the 2025 R1S and R1T — and two of the three are software rather than hardware. A software version prior to 2025.18.30 could leave Hands-Free Highway Assist unable to correctly identify a lead vehicle, and version 2024.39.30 could keep certain exterior lights from turning on while the Car Costume feature was active. Both were addressed with over-the-air updates. The exception is a genuine electrical hardware defect: an improperly grounded connection inside the High Voltage Distribution Box, which may cause a loss of drive power and requires a dealer inspection rather than a download.
Warning signs to watch for
- A sudden loss of drive power while driving
- Hands-Free Highway Assist failing to react properly to the vehicle ahead of you
- Exterior lights not coming on when the Car Costume feature is activated
- Vehicle software showing a version earlier than 2025.18.30 (highway assist) or 2024.39.30 (lighting)
- The High Voltage Distribution Box grounding problem is not described as giving any advance warning
Is it safe to keep driving?
Rivian does not tell owners to stop driving or park outside for any of the three. The Car Costume lighting bug is the mildest — the vehicle drives normally, though you are less visible to others until the update installs. The highway assist recall also allows normal driving, but stay fully attentive whenever the feature is engaged and do not rely on it to see the car ahead. The High Voltage Distribution Box recall is the one to act on fastest, since a loss of drive power on the road raises crash risk.
What the free repair involves
Two of the three are handled over the air at no charge: Rivian released OTA updates for the Hands-Free Highway Assist software and for the Car Costume exterior lighting fault. The High Voltage Distribution Box recall needs hands-on work — Rivian will inspect and repair the HVDB ground strap joint, or replace the high voltage battery pack if necessary, also free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 2 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-08 | Rivian R1S and R1T driver-assist may miss vehicle ahead | high |
| 2025-08-21 | Rivian R1S and R1T can lose drive power | high |
| 2024-11-01 | Rivian R1T and R1S exterior lights may not turn on | medium |
Common questions
How do I know whether my software update has already installed?
Check your vehicle's software version. The highway assist recall covers versions before 2025.18.30, and the lighting recall covers version 2024.39.30. Both remedies arrive over the air, so a connected vehicle may already have received them free of charge.
What happens if the High Voltage Distribution Box fault occurs while I'm driving?
The notice describes a loss of drive power caused by an improperly grounded connection inside the box. Rivian does not tell owners to stop driving, but because losing power on the road raises crash risk, schedule the free inspection promptly.
Can I still use the Car Costume feature?
On an un-updated vehicle running software 2024.39.30, activating Car Costume may prevent certain exterior lights from turning on, making you harder for other drivers to see. Once the free over-the-air update installs, that fault is corrected.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.