Head-to-head reliability
Rivian R1T vs Toyota Camry
How the Rivian R1T and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Rivian R1T vs Toyota Camry: The R1T averages 25.4 complaints per year with 37 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The R1T has 10 crash-related complaints and 8 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rivian R1T or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup that has been on the road for about five years, averaging roughly 25 complaints per year. Owner reports cluster around air bag sensors, suspension hardware, and electrical failures, with some issues like a missing suspension weld or sudden power loss. With 37 recalls and 10 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle where software and hardware problems can overlap.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a long history, but over the past decade it has averaged about 206 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems. It has 31 recalls and a higher number of crash-related complaints and injuries than the Rivian, though it also has a much larger fleet on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rivian R1T | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 127 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 37 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 25.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 158 |
| 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 R1T
- 01AIR BAGS21
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
- 03SUSPENSION19
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE17
Owners report the passenger seat sensor failing to detect a person, so the airbag may not arm. One complaint describes a small passenger (110 lbs) whose airbag sensor turned off, meaning the airbag might not deploy in a crash.
Reports include the truck drifting left and developing bump steer, plus a case where a missing weld on the front passenger suspension clevis mount caused creaking. This can affect steering and stability, so a buyer should check for unusual noises or alignment issues.
Owners describe sudden loss of power and high-voltage battery failures that damaged drive units. One complaint notes the vehicle entered Limited Performance Mode but then lost all power, leaving the driver stranded—a serious safety concern.
This system is among the top complaint areas, though specific owner text is not provided. Buyers should be aware that advanced driver aids may malfunction, and recalls include software for autonomous/self-driving features.
“Concern: - Passenger seat not detecting person sitting in it. Airbag not arming. Cause: - The Occupant Classification System (OCS) uses a pressure sensor in the seat bottom to classify whatever is in the front passenger's seat. An improperly seated occupant c…”
“Hello, I have a concern about the passenger side airbag in my 2023 Rivian R1T pickup truck. My wife is very small (weighs about 110 lbs., 5'2" tall). I've noticed on several occasions that when she's sitting in the passenger seat the airbag sensor will turn o…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be unsettling in traffic.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas pedal and waiting several seconds for the car to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also report a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is normal but owners find concerning.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once: smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. Such widespread electrical glitches can make the car unpredictable.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 R1T — 37 recalls
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025-2026 R1S and R1T vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices,…
The risk: Turn signals that do not function properly increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall i…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1S and R1T vehicles that previously had service performed. The toe link may have been reassembled incorrectly during service procedures performed before March 10, 2025.
The risk: The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will replace the rear toe link bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1794. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and…
The risk: Turn signals that do not function properly, failing to indicate the driver's intention to change direction, increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Rivia…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles operating a software version prior to 2025.18.30. The Hands-Free Highway Assist (HWA) software may fail to correctly identify a lead vehicle.
The risk: Failure to detect another vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1744.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Rivian R1T or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Rivian R1T has far fewer complaints per year (about 25) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry's issues are spread over a much larger number of vehicles. In practice, the Rivian's problems tend to be more severe when they occur, such as sudden power loss, while the Camry's are more frequent but often less catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Rivian R1T averages about 25 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages about 206 per year, but the Camry has a much larger population of vehicles on the road.
- Rivian owners report sudden power loss and suspension weld defects, which can be dangerous; Camry owners report key stuck and brake noise, which are more nuisance than emergency.
- The Rivian has 10 crash-related complaints and 8 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, though these numbers are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold.
- Both have air bag sensor complaints, but the Rivian's involve the passenger seat not detecting occupants, while the Camry's involve occupant classification sensor recalls.
- Check for any signs of suspension creaking or uneven tire wear, which could indicate a missing weld or loose fastener on the front suspension.
- Test the passenger seat airbag sensor with a small adult or weighted object to ensure the airbag arms properly; if the indicator shows off, it may need service.
- Try removing the key from the ignition after parking to ensure it doesn't get stuck; if it does, it could be a costly repair.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages smoothly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic experienced with the model, focusing on the areas mentioned in complaints.
- For the Rivian, test drive on uneven roads to check for suspension noises and verify all electrical systems work.
- For the Camry, test the key removal, throttle response, and brake feel during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recall repairs have been completed.
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 R1T | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 163 |
| 2024 | 9 | 50 |
| 2023 | 38 | 64 |
| 2022 | 67 | 61 |
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 R1T or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rivian R1T vs Toyota Camry
- Rivian R1T total complaints
- 127
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Rivian R1T total recalls
- 37
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Rivian R1T avg complaints/year
- 25.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Rivian R1T
- Rivian R1T top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN