The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into nearly 17,200 Rivian electric delivery vans after reports surfaced about potential problems

with their seat belts.

The probe zeroes in on the driver’s seat belt anchorage system, which relies on a steel-braided cable to secure the belt to the seat frame. According to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, six Rivian owners reported that the cable had frayed, broken, or come undone—raising concerns that the seat belt might not hold up during a crash or sudden stop.

So far, regulators say there have been no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths linked to the issue. Still, the agency warns that if the anchorage point fails, the seat belt may not meet safety standards, putting drivers at greater risk.

Rivian has not yet commented on the investigation.

For now, investigators will look into the strength of the seat belt parts, how they’re installed, and whether the problem stems from design or manufacturing flaws. This preliminary review is only the first stage of NHTSA’s defect process, but if serious issues are confirmed, it could eventually lead to a recall. Photo by Mliu92, Wikimedia commons.