Head-to-head reliability
Rivian EDV vs FORD F 150
How the Rivian EDV and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Rivian EDV averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Rivian EDV has 39 complaints and 7 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rivian EDV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 39 Better | 11,102 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.8 Better | 1110.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Rivian EDV
- 01SEAT BELTS27
- 02SUSPENSION4
- 03POWER TRAIN3
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- 05STEERING2
“During normal operation of the this vehicle, the seatbelt pretensioner cable snapped when the driver attempted to buckle the seatbelt. This is where the lap belt portion is attached to the seat. The cable is frayed and breaks. This same defect has occurred on…”
“During operation the seatbelt connection to the pretensioner fell apart. There is a plastic housing that the seatbelt anchor is connected to. That metal anchor came apart from inside of the plastic housing and could not be reconnected. Vehicle will need a new…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,492
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE828
“Vehicle Safety Hazard & Recall Remedy Denial Recall: 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237 Summary of Issue: I am experiencing active, unsafe vehicle symptoms directly tied to Recall 26S28, including intermittent transmission signal loss, warning lights, and abrupt d…”
“I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Rivian EDV — 7 recalls
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022 R1T, R1S, and EDV vehicles. The fastener connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may have been improperly tightened.
The risk: A loose steering knuckle fastener could separate, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the steering knuckle fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 11, 2022. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EDV vehicles. The driver's seat belt pretensioner cable may become damaged.
The risk: A damaged seat belt pretensioner cable may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update. In addition Rivian will inspect and replace the driver's seat belt pretensioner assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owne…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EDV, R1S, and R1T vehicles. The headlights may be improperly aimed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and adjust the headlight alignment as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSA…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EDV vehicles. The driver's seat belt pretensioner cable may become damaged.
The risk: A damaged seat belt pretensioner cable may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update. In addition Rivian will inspect and replace the driver's seat belt pretensioner assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owne…
FORD F 150 — 144 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
The risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or dist…
The risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Rivian EDV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 16 |
| 2025 | 2 | 324 |
| 2024 | 0 | 607 |
| 2023 | 30 | 1484 |
| 2022 | 7 | 3388 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Rivian EDV or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rivian EDV vs FORD F 150
- Rivian EDV total complaints
- 39
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,102
- Rivian EDV total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- Rivian EDV avg complaints/year
- 7.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1110.2
- More reliable overall
- Rivian EDV
- Rivian EDV top complaint area
- SEAT BELTS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN