U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian is recalling 24,214 R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks due to a software defect that may cause its hands-free Highway Assist system to misidentify lead vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.
The issue traces back to vehicles running software prior to version 2025.18.30. Rivian discovered that in rare cases Highway Assist could misclassify a situation at very low speeds, resulting in a one-time functional limitation.
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This occurred in one reported field incident involving a 2025 R1S, where the driver also failed to maintain control as required by SAE Level 2 systems. While Rivian has not reported any injuries, the condition could theoretically increase crash risk if drivers do not stay engaged.
“To address this defect, Rivian has issued an over-the-air software update,” the NHTSA said. The company released version 2025.18.30 on June 3, 2025, which resolved the issue.
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According to the recall filing, more than 99 percent of vehicles that could have been affected are already running this or later software. With Rivian’s latest OTA, version 2025.26, the actual impact of the recall is considered minimal.
Rivian has been developing hands-free and “eyes-off” driving systems as part of its broader push into autonomous vehicle technology. Automakers have increasingly competed to roll out advanced driver-assistance features such as lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
