On September 24, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it had opened a preliminary investigation into Rivian Automotive Inc., focusing on the seat belt anchorage system in its Electric Delivery Van (EDV) models. The probe covers 17,198 vans manufactured between 2022 and 2023, raising concerns about the safety of a vehicle that has become a mainstay for Amazon’s delivery fleet and is gaining traction with other major companies.
The investigation comes after the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received six reports detailing potential failures with the seat belt system on the driver’s side. According to the agency’s official documents, in several reported cases, the steel braided cable connecting the seat belt to the seat frame had either frayed, unraveled, or even broken outright. As the NHTSA cautioned, such failures could result in "the occupants unrestrained in the event of a collision," a scenario that poses what the agency described as "an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."
While no crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities related to this seat belt issue have been reported so far, the possibility of a malfunction during a collision has prompted swift action. The NHTSA emphasized that a weakened or detached seat belt anchorage may not meet the required load capacity standards, making it a significant safety concern. As the ODI begins its review, investigators will examine the seat belt assembly’s integrity, the installation process, and whether a manufacturing or design flaw might be at play. Depending on their findings, the probe could escalate to a more in-depth engineering analysis and, if necessary, a recall affecting thousands of vehicles.
Rivian, for its part, has confirmed its full cooperation with the investigation. In a statement to Clean Trucking, a Rivian spokesperson said, "Rivian takes the safety of everyone in our vehicles very seriously; all of our vehicles meet or exceed applicable safety requirements. We look forward to cooperating with NHTSA on its investigation." This sentiment was echoed in an emailed statement to other outlets, where Rivian reiterated, "We look forward to cooperating with NHTSA on its investigation." The company has maintained that its vehicles are designed to meet or surpass all relevant safety standards.
The implications of the investigation are far-reaching, given Rivian’s rapid growth in the electric commercial vehicle market. Nearly 14,000 Rivian EDVs are currently operating on U.S. roads, and Amazon alone has received over 25,000 of these vans to date. The e-commerce giant has ambitious plans to expand its electric fleet, with a total of 100,000 Rivian EDVs scheduled for delivery by 2030. Amazon has also begun rolling out the vans in Europe, signaling a broader international push for Rivian’s flagship delivery vehicle.
Rivian’s customer base isn’t limited to Amazon. Other companies, including Ben & Jerry’s, have also invested in Rivian EDVs, with the ice cream maker recently partnering with the automaker for new "scoop trucks." This growing roster of high-profile clients underscores the importance of addressing any safety concerns quickly and transparently.
The investigation comes at a pivotal moment for Rivian, which has positioned itself as a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) space. The company not only produces delivery vans but also manufactures plug-in pickups and SUVs for consumers. Additionally, Rivian has entered into a partnership with Germany’s Volkswagen AG, further cementing its role as a key player in the global automotive landscape.
For Amazon, the reliability and safety of its delivery fleet are paramount. The company’s massive investment in Rivian’s EDVs is part of a broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and meet ambitious sustainability goals. Any potential recall or safety issue could disrupt these plans, though, at present, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries linked to the seat belt issue. Amazon’s rollout of the vans in Europe and its continued expansion plans suggest confidence in Rivian’s ability to resolve the matter.
The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation is a standard first step in the agency’s defect investigation process. It allows regulators to gather data and assess the severity and scope of a potential problem before deciding whether further action is warranted. If the initial findings indicate a widespread or serious defect, the agency can escalate the investigation to an engineering analysis, which could ultimately result in a recall. For now, the focus is on understanding the precise nature of the seat belt failures and determining whether they stem from a design oversight, a manufacturing issue, or perhaps a problem with a supplier’s component.
The affected vans were manufactured between 2022 and 2023, a period marked by rapid scaling of Rivian’s production capabilities to meet surging demand from Amazon and other commercial customers. The company has faced its share of challenges, including supply chain disruptions and parts shortages, which have occasionally slowed production or forced temporary halts. As reported by Clean Trucking, Rivian even paused Amazon van production at one point, citing a shortage of critical parts. These growing pains are not uncommon in the fast-evolving EV sector, but they do add complexity to quality control efforts.
Industry observers note that while the number of reported incidents—six so far—is relatively small compared to the total number of vehicles on the road, the potential consequences of a seat belt failure are severe enough to warrant close scrutiny. Seat belts remain one of the most fundamental safety features in any vehicle, and any compromise in their performance is treated with utmost seriousness by regulators and manufacturers alike.
Rivian’s close collaboration with the NHTSA is a positive sign, experts say, as it demonstrates the company’s commitment to transparency and customer safety. The automaker’s proactive stance could help reassure both regulators and customers as the investigation proceeds. For now, Rivian owners and fleet operators are being advised to stay informed and await further guidance from the company and federal authorities.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on Rivian and the NHTSA to see how quickly and effectively the issue can be resolved. With the electric delivery van market poised for significant growth and major players like Amazon betting heavily on Rivian’s technology, the outcome of this probe could have ripple effects across the industry. For now, the focus remains squarely on ensuring that every van on the road meets the highest safety standards—because, at the end of the day, that’s what matters most to drivers, passengers, and the millions of customers who rely on timely, safe deliveries.
