Many years ago, Honda, Toyota and other makers of mid-size sedans had issues with defective airbag inflators. The inflators would detonate even if the vehicle were not in a collision. The debris from the exploding airbag inflator would often injure or kill people in the front seat. Now, another airbag problem has caused Rivian, a manufacturer of electric vehicles, to recall 502 of its electric trucks due to a malfunctioning airbag sensor.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbag sensors are supposed to deactivate if a child or a car seat is occupying the front passenger seat. The NHTSA stated that an inflating air bag can kill or injure a child who is sitting in the front passenger seat. For this reason, airbag sensors are required to deactivate if they detect the presence of a child or a child-restraining seat on the passenger side of the front seat.
Rivian has stated that the airbag sensors used in the front passenger seat do not always deactivate pursuant to NHTSA regulations. Rivian has, therefore, recalled 502 vehicles that were manufactured between September of 2021 and April of 2022. Rivian states that no injuries have been reported from the defective sensors.
As is the case with most recalls, the work will be done by Rivian mechanics for no charge. Rivian has 20 service centers in the United States.
Advice from an auto accident injury attorney
Anyone who has been injured by an inflating airbag in a Rivian motor vehicle may wish to consult an experienced auto accident injury attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide an analysis of the evidence and opinion on whether Rivian may be liable for damages.