--- title: "Rivian Recalls 17,000 Trucks Because Their Headlights Are Unreliable in Cold Weather" date: "2025-02-21" modified: "2025-02-21" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-recalls-over-17000-trucks-for-headlights-that-could-fail-in-the-cold" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Rivian News" tags: - "Electric" - "r1t" - "Rivian" --- # Rivian Recalls 17,000 Trucks Because Their Headlights Are Unreliable in Cold Weather ![]() *\Rivian\* Rivian EVs are having yet another headlight issue. First, [R1T and R1S]() owners dealt with [ice buildup]() as the original headlights didn't get warm enough to melt it away. Then, there was a [software problem]() that prevented its exterior lights from working altogether, one that was then fixed with an over-the-air update. In 2024, there was a recall for a headlight leveling sensor, and now, Rivian is recalling 17,260 vehicles because its headlight supplier improperly built a bunch that might fail in the cold. According to the[ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,]() this affects 2025 model-year Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles built between April 29, 2024, and February 3, 2025. The report claims the trucks "may have been built with headlamps that do not meet current production specifications due to incorrectly configured parts from the supplier." ![]() **The Drive** Any Rivian with affected headlights could have low beams that won't turn on at first startup, particularly when it's cold. The report doesn't say how cold it has to be for the low beams to fail; however, it does say that the failure only occurs at vehicle startup. It seems that once the lights are warm from the car driving for a while, they're fine. The recall only specifies low beams, too, so it sounds like high beams will continue to work if there's a low beam failure. The truck will warn any owners experiencing the issue with a prompt on the screen that says “Low beam lights not working. Service low beams soon." *The Drive* reached out to Rivian to find out what ambient temperatures can cause the low beams to fail, whether they'll eventually come back on after driving, and if the high beams are still accessible. We'll update this story when we get an answer. Unfortunately, this fix can't be performed over the air. The bad headlights need to be replaced entirely. It's still done for free, but it does mean customers and dealers have to wait until March 28 to be notified before the headlights can be fixed. Only about 8% of the 17,260 trucks should be affected, and any owners who already paid to have their malfunctioning headlights replaced will be reimbursed by Rivian. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()