Rivian Calls Back 500 Vehicles Over Faulty Air Bags
» Posted July 7, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
Rivian, the embattled electric vehicle manufacturer looking to rival Tesla, has another problem on its hands.
The company is recalling some 500 R1T electric pickup trucks, Reuters reports. The vehicles’ airbags may not deactivate when a child is in the front passenger seat, according to the company.
“Rivian said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue and will replace the passenger seat in the recalled vehicles,” Reuters reports. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) adopted the requirements after dozens of children were killed in the 1990s because of the impact of airbag deployments.”
Amazon-backed Rivian went public in November. It seeks to compete in the luxury e-vehicle space with Tesla, in part by selling cars directly to customers instead of through a dealership or other middleman.
The California-based company recently walked back a widely criticized move to jack up prices on buyers who had already pre-ordered the new vehicles. Rivian had said it needed to increase prices on new pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles by as much as 20%, blaming supply chain problems and rising costs.
Rivian also shuffled its production schedule earlier this year. It said certain trucks and SUVs designed to get more than 400 miles per charge will not be produced until 2023. The company explained that it would focus instead on vehicles with smaller battery packs - offering a range of more than 300 miles per charge - to buyers who have placed preorders.
Car Defects, Legal Rights for California Owners
The Rivian recall highlights an ongoing problem for car owners, whether you are driving a luxury vehicle or something more modestly priced.
Major vehicle manufacturers recall millions of vehicles around the world every year, citing a broad range of defects that increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries. The recalls often come long after vehicles have been sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some important rights under the state’s lemon law. They do not have to wait for a recall to get defective vehicles fixed.
The lemon law requires automakers to perform a full slate of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) covered vehicles that they cannot or simply refuse to repair.
The lemon law requires car manufacturers to pick up the tab for certain legal fees incurred by owners while enforcing their rights.
Our Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorneys Can Help
If you are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, an Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help.
We have successfully assisted car owners across the state. Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney today.
