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Vehicle Stats/Rivian/R1S Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Oct 2026Methodology

Rivian R1S Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 164 complaints and 44 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Rivian R1S options? We analyzed 5 model years (2022–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

164
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
44
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
24
Crash-Related
crash complaints
1
Fire-Related
fire complaints
12
Injuries Reported
across all years
5
Years Analyzed
2022–2026

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Found a Rivian R1S? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Rivian R1S has 164 owner complaints and 44 safety recalls across model years 2022–2026. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2023 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.

Rivian R1S — key reliability facts
Make
Rivian
Model
R1S
Model years analyzed
2022–2026 (5 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
164
Safety recall campaigns
44
Crash-related complaints
24
Fire-related complaints
1
Worst model year (by complaints)
2023 (75 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2022 (4 complaints)
Top reported issue area
AIR BAGS
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Oct 5, 2026
This R1S has 44 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

By model year

Rivian R1S: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
202375 complaints202554 complaints202417 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
20224 complaints202417 complaints202554 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2023 Rivian R1S? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year — averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free →

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

How to read NCAP stars
5 stars — Excellent
4 stars — Good
3 stars — Average
2 stars — Below average
1 star — Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The RIVIAN R1S has 164 NHTSA complaints and 44 recalls on record. 24 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 164 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 44 federal recall campaigns
  • 24 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2022
4
2023
75
2024
17
2025
54

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

44 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

#26V508000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNALJune 8, 2026
Safety recall

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

#26V003000SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSMay 1, 2026
Safety recall

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

#26V003000SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSMay 1, 2026
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

#25V387000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNALNovember 6, 2025
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE

#25V585000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWAREAugust 9, 2025
Safety recall

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

#25V370000SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGEMarch 6, 2025
Safety recall

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

#25V370000SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGEMarch 6, 2025
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#24V319000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSeptember 5, 2024
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

#24V408000AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERSMay 6, 2024
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

#24V827000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREJanuary 11, 2024
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

#23V159000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINSeptember 3, 2023
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

#24V367000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Safety recall

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

#26V009000SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

#26V597000BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Safety recall

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

#24V686000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

#25V085000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

#25V537000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Safety recall

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

#26V009000SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

#26V597000BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

#23V233000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2022–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 164 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
AIR BAGS36 complaints
02
UNKNOWN OR OTHER35 complaints
03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28 complaints
04
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE23 complaints
05
SEATS17 complaints
06
SUSPENSION15 complaints
07
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 complaints
08
SERVICE BRAKES15 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

164 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

SUSPENSIONSep 2026

At 56,083 miles, my 2024 Rivian R1S experienced a suspension warning while driving on the US-101 Freeway and entered reduced-performance/turtle mode, limiting the vehicle to approximately 50 MPH while surrounding traffic was traveling substantially faster. The sudden speed differential created a serious highway collision risk. Rivian inspected the vehicle and diagnosed fault P12DF7A, “Roll Control Cross Circuit Static Leakage Check Failure.” The technician repeated the hydraulic leakage test to rule out a false positive. After draining the hydraulic fluid, Rivian found metal debris throughout the system and documented that it was causing system contamination. Rivian separately confirmed in writing that the source was an “internal mechanical failure in the system.” Rivian Repair Invoice INV_20260811-204135.pdf Rivian determined that the contaminated system required replacement of the hydraulic suspension manifold, hydraulic pump and all four dampers. Its repair procedure requires all four dampers to be replaced when metal debris contaminates the system. Rivian - Metal Debris Email.pdf Critically, Rivian advised me that even if turtle mode did not immediately recur, recurrence was “inevitable in the future” because of the metal debris and stated: “For your safety, we strongly advise against driving the vehicle in this condition prior to completing the full repair.” Rivian - Metal Debris Email.pdf I previously reported excessive suspension clicking to Rivian at approximately 44,000 miles while under warranty. I am aware of at least two potentially similar R1 failures, including another involving reported metal fragments and turtle mode. I request NHTSA investigate whether an internal mechanical failure can introduce metal debris into the interconnected R1 hydraulic suspension system, contaminate multiple components and cause reduced-performance mode at highway speed, and whether similar R1S/R1T incidents indicate a broader safety defect.

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELSJun 2026

Recurring front suspension fastener and component failures causing severe asymmetric inner-shoulder tire wear and steering vibration. Vibration was reported to the manufacturer's service center from delivery (Feb 2024) and repeatedly called "normal." Jan 2025: front left hub bearing and halfshaft replaced under warranty after metal-on-metal grinding. Oct 2025: torn right front lower control arm bushing replaced under warranty; rack measurements before that repair showed front total toe 2.04 deg (spec 0.00-0.40) and rear camber -2.2 deg (spec -0.6 to -1.4); two tires worn to the wear bars on inner ribs were replaced. Mar 2026: vehicle towed in (parking brake would not release, 12v battery failed); technician found front suspension fasteners not torqued to specification, including previously replaced components, and replaced the front left hub a second time. No alignment was performed after the re-torque. Jun 2026: the Oct 2025 tires are again worn to near the wear bars on inner shoulders after ~12,000 miles - the third consecutive set destroyed by the same geometry-driven pattern. The manufacturer has confirmed in writing that only one alignment has ever been performed on this vehicle (Oct 2025) in 26 months and ~41,000 miles - none after the March 2026 suspension re-torque. The manufacturer has two federal recalls acknowledging suspension fasteners loosening after assembly or service: 22V-748 (under-torqued front fasteners that "could cause excessive wheel camber") and 26V003 (rear toe links that may separate), the latter reopened by NHTSA in May 2026 under PE26-004 with review expanded to ~114,922 vehicles. This vehicle exhibits the same failure mode - fasteners confirmed loose by the manufacturer's own technician - but is not in either recall population. Tires worn to the belts and loose suspension hardware at highway speed create a risk of loss of control. Work orders, the alignment report, and photos are available upon request.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHERMay 2026

Our 2024 Rivian came to a stop at a light with three cars in front of it. We have the video from a home on the street. ABout 12-15 feet behind the next car. Rivian comes to a complete stop. Sits about 5 seconds. Then car surges forward to rear end the car in front. that car hits another car and another car. THe rivian only makes direct contact to the car in front then hits aa parked car next to that one, through a 2' block wall and hits a building. No one hurt on site. TO add to the exact problem...Just prior to the vehicle coming to a stop a passenger in the front seat and a passenger in the back seat were listening to an audio book. its started skipping forward and slowing down. Car comes to a stop. screens go blank/black in the car. ALl three people can attest to this. The driver had her foot on the break as this happened and the car surges forward and proceeds to do the damage it does. IT is this unintended surge that was the issue. Seems a few people have had this issue.

Crash 1 InjurySUSPENSION,WHEELSApr 2026

On [XXX], I was driving my Rivian R1S on [XXX] in the far left lane at highway speed on a smooth, straight road when I suddenly and completely lost control of the vehicle without warning. The vehicle swerved right, struck a vehicle in the middle lane, then veered left, spun, and collided head-on with the guardrail on the right side of the road. I was evaluated at the scene by EMT. There were no warning lamps, messages, or any symptoms of any kind prior to the failure. The loss of control was instantaneous and without any prior indication of a problem. Review of video footage captured by the vehicle's own cameras clearly shows the rear driver-side toe link failing and the rear wheel moving in a manner inconsistent with normal operation immediately prior to loss of control. At the scene, the rear driver-side wheel was visibly sitting at an abnormal angle, inconsistent with normal alignment, and the toe link bolt was visibly absent from its mounting location. The vehicle is currently being preserved as evidence and is available for inspection. The mounting location where the toe link bolt should be seated is visible and available for examination. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Rivian, a dealer, or any independent service center. I am aware that Rivian issued NHTSA recall 26V003 on January 8, 2026, covering 2022-2025 R1T and R1S vehicles for this exact defect — rear toe link joint separation while driving, which increases the risk of a crash without prior warning. Rivian acknowledged awareness of at least one prior crash related to this defect prior to the recall filing. My vehicle has no open recalls on record and I was never notified of recall 26V003 or any related service campaign. This incident resulted in a multi-vehicle accident on a public highway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CrashLANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEFeb 2026

Car suddenly lost control, making zig zag movements, none of the safety sensors were working, car went off road and crashed into freeway side fence. Windows airbags deployed on driver window and passenger window behind driver seat

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTIONDec 2025

While backing very slowly into a parking space, I lightly contacted small twigs (please see photo) with the vehicle. There was no impact with another vehicle, pole, wall, or solid object, and no significant force was applied. A child seated in the third row mentioned hearing a light scraping sound. Immediately afterward, the rear window suddenly and violently exploded, sending glass shards into the interior of the vehicle. The glass dispersed forward into the cabin, creating a significant safety hazard for the occupants, including children. There was no prior damage to the window, no visible cracks before the incident, and no collision that would reasonably explain the shattering of tempered glass. The explosion appeared spontaneous and disproportionate to the minor contact with twigs. This incident raises serious concerns about rear window glass integrity and the risk of injury to passengers, particularly children seated near the rear of the vehicle.

Read 14 more owner reports
VISIBILITYNov 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear windshield shattered without impact. The contact's husband was outside and heard an abnormal cracking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's husband witnessed the rear windshield shattering and bulging outwards. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for inspection at the owner's expense. The contact stated that upon investigating the failure, the contact found out that nickel was used in the tempered glass, which weakened the glass. The contact had safety concerns about driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 43,511.

CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEOct 2025

Vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. Vehicle was setup to have Emergency Braking enabled and used the Rivian High Regen setting (one pedal driving). In freeway traffic, the vehicle in front slowed quickly. The vehicle initiated emergency braking, but when the vehicle in front sped away, the vehicle failed to release emergency braking thus resulting in the car behind hitting my Rivian. There was no vehicle to the right of my car. I should have been able to accelerate out of the way and move to the right. It would appear the Rivian system requires a FULL STOP. I was unable to accelerate to mitigate the rear collision damage. Secondly, the vehicle acted like it did not recognize HIGH REGEN setting as a brake input. I have had multiple time where it flashed at me to brake and the HIGH REGEN setting was stopping the vehicle. This is not acceptable. Rivian was contacted and the vehicle taken for service and repair. I was informed that they reviewed the accident and that all systems checked okay. Rivian noted that I did request acceleration from the car, but I did not hold the accelerator long enough for the vehicle to allow me to regain control. I have asked what the threshold is to regain control and they were unable to answer. Minimally I would hope they can describe how their system has been designed so that I can properly drive their vehicle. Ideally, the system should display emergency information on how to override in the event it forces the car to stop on a freeway. I am sure the Rivian system is smart enough to see that I was on a freeway and I would hope smart enough to detect that I could have safely moved to the right as other cars did to avoid collision. I firmly believe the incident could have been avoided. Vehicle had all cameras enabled and full accident is recorded and available for review. Rivian also collected vehicle diagnostic logs.

SUSPENSIONMay 2025

clunking/thumping noise coming from front end over speed bumps like something is loose or going to fall apart. have taken car into service few times and was told its normal, its getting worse. Online forum threads have mentioned same issue , I am afraid one of these days something going to snap and cause a breakdown or even worse terrible accident.

POWER TRAINDec 2024

Front wheel hub bolts back out on their own. This is a huge safety problem and needs a public recall. It is a known problem. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SUSPENSION,STRUCTUREDec 2024

Rivian has a 'kneel' option that uses the powered air suspension to lower the vehicle to make entry and exiting the vehicle easier for users. Yes, this can be turned off or on. When on, the function stops if a main door (driver/passenger) is open and left open the car will not continue to kneel for safety purposes. However, it does NOT stop if you are using the rear hatch to access anything. The car continues to kneel. I have hit my head multiple times on the rear hatch because I am behind the vehicle and assume a certain amount of head room and the car is still kneeling and I do not realize it and stand up like I was and hit my head. I have notified Rivian and asked for updates. I consider this a critical issue and has caused minor injury or confusion momentarily. I live on a busy street and the last thing I need is to hit my head and be knocked out. I have not heard anything from Rivian on my request and an update came out to 'fix' items but this was not included. I advised if it was not I would file an official complaint to make them take security and safety issues seriously.

CrashAIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLOct 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to park in a parking space, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was violently depressed however the vehicle continued to accelerate. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle hit a curb in a landscaping zone and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy during the incident. No medical attention was provided but the contact and the contact’s daughter suffered minor neck, side, and back pain. The wife also sustained minor unknown injuries, A police report was filed with the Oswego State Department, but the report was not provided. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

AIR BAGS,SEATSSep 2024

My vehicle has been a service seven times, each time I have complained about my wife not being recognized by the passenger seat. She weighs 100 pounds, and I’m told that the weight limit is 65. On the latest visit they replaced the passenger seat and told me if it still does it, then it is a design flaw, and I’ll have to deal with it. Don’t find this acceptable as it affects my wife’s safety, and would like the manufacturer to rectify the issues of the airbag will function correctly.

SEATSAug 2024

The 15mm nut securing the 2nd row seat track, behind the passenger front seat, was not secure and the seat track moved in all directions by several millimeters. The nut was stripped and could not be tightened. This manufacturing defect was repaired by Rivian. However, given the ongoing quality issues with this Rivian, I would speculate that other safety related defects have yet to be discovered.

CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAug 2024

Below are the diagnostics that Rivian says happened. I pulled into a parking space and as I placed my foot on the brake the car launched forward. I DID NOT hold both peddles down at the same time. The car malfunctioned and thank god I hit another parked car and not a person. The car has no been in the shop and at Rivian service center for the last 4 months. They are taking no responsibility for the events and are not returning my calls. I have read on many chat boards that this has happened to other drivers and they say it is "user error". a car with this much power should not be accidentally able to be put into launch mode. Vehicle enters a parking lot area at approximately 6:38 PM PST as vehicle speed is reduced and steering is consistent with parking lot maneuvers. Vehicle proceeds to travel at speeds below 15 mph. At approximately 6:40 PM PST the vehicle beings to turn left, then right while traveling at speeds below 7 mph. At this time, the steering wheel is returned to a centered position when the accelerator pedal is depressed to 98% application. Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are depressed simultaneously again as the vehicle comes into contact with another vehicle. Vehicle comes to a complete stop at 6:40:48 PM PST and remains in Drive. Vehicle remains in Drive and does not move for almost 8 minutes until vehicle is shifted into Reverse then Park at approximately 6:48:18 PM PST.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJul 2024

Vehicle stopped working while driving. It completely shut off even though I had 250 miles of range available. It looked up the rear wheels and came to a very harsh stop. It was immobilized and even with a hard reset it didn’t come back to life.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERJun 2024

The horn is so quiet that when I was driving on the highway at 65 mph, someone changed lanes without looking. I tried to use the horn, but it was so soft that neither the other driver nor I could hear it, which nearly caused a major accident. I’ve spoken to other owners who have also noticed this issue. This could also be dangerous for pedestrians in case of a wrong crossing, as the horn may not be loud enough to alert them.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESSep 2026

On September 20, 2026 at approximately 10:29 a.m. CDT, while traveling on Interstate 30 between Greenville and Royse City, Texas, my 2025 Rivian R1S Gen 2 experienced sustained unintended acceleration in an active construction zone with concrete barriers and no immediate safe exit. I applied very heavy, sustained braking to counter the acceleration until we reached a break in the barriers and could leave the highway. Substantial smoke was then coming from the wheel/brake areas. We were initially unable to place the vehicle in Park; after a vehicle reboot, we were able to shut it down. After stopping, we discovered that the accelerator pedal had become physically lodged beneath the driver’s all-weather floor mat, holding the accelerator down. The mat supplied for the vehicle was a previous-generation mat rather than the mat intended for the 2025 Gen 2 R1S. Rivian warns that 2022-2024 floor mats can potentially interfere with the accelerator pedal when installed in a 2025 or newer vehicle. Immediately after the incident, I used the vehicle’s native Rivian AI functionality twice to request diagnostic evaluations. Since the incident, the conventional brake pedal feels weaker/spongier than I recall previously. Rivian is scheduled to inspect the vehicle October 12, 2026 under Work Order 000002609847. I provided Rivian photographs identifying the incorrect mat and photographs showing smoke from the wheel areas. Original in-cabin smartphone video recorded during the incident has been preserved. No collision or physical injuries occurred. I am reporting this because a manufacturer-supplied incompatible floor mat physically trapped the accelerator during highway operation, creating a risk of sustained unintended acceleration that could affect other 2025+ Rivian R1 owners.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPERSep 2026

Safety defect involving exterior rearview mirrors on Rivian R1S I am reporting a recurring and worsening safety issue involving the exterior rearview mirrors on my Rivian R1S Gen 2. Both side mirrors repeatedly lose their saved positions without driver input. More concerningly, on multiple occasions the mirrors have changed position while the vehicle was being driven, including at highway speeds. When this occurs, my rearward and side visibility is unexpectedly altered while driving, requiring me to readjust the mirrors and creating a significant safety concern. This problem has persisted across multiple Rivian software versions and has become progressively worse. I have already reported the issue to Rivian Service more than once. I have attempted to re-save the mirror positions, disable and re-enable Auto Tilt in Reverse, perform software resets, and recalibrate the system, without resolving the problem. The issue is not caused by Automatic Ride Height Adjustment, as it has occurred while that feature was disabled. I have requested that Rivian escalate the issue to its Engineering team and review vehicle logs, which should document the repeated changes in mirror position. Because the exterior mirrors can change position without driver input while the vehicle is moving, I believe this may constitute a safety-related defect affecting driver visibility. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue and determine whether similar complaints exist involving Rivian R1S vehicles.

CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCESep 2026

OnXXX, at approximately 5:00 PM CT, my 2025 Rivian R1S was involved in a low-speed rear-end collision at the intersection of [XXX] and the [XXX]. I was merging onto the service road (posted speed approx. 55 mph) behind another vehicle that began its merge through a stop sign, then stopped suddenly. I was moving forward at approximately 5-10 mph while checking oncoming traffic to my left. The vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking system did not engage, and no forward collision warning was displayed, before I struck the vehicle ahead. I applied the brakes manually only after impact. No injuries occurred. I am reporting this because Rivian has previously disclosed to NHTSA (Recall 25V-585, XXX) a related defect in which its ADAS software misclassified a lead vehicle at low speed. My incident involved the same general failure pattern - the system not correctly responding to a slow-moving vehicle directly ahead at low speed. Additionally, the vehicle's onboard camera/recording system (Gear Guard) had been disabled by the manufacturer service center during a repair visit completed earlier that same day, and was not re-enabled before the vehicle was returned to me. As a result, no independent video record of the incident exists. I have submitted a formal written request to the manufacturer to preserve all EDR, ADAS, and vehicle telemetry data from the date of the incident, and that review is ongoing as of this filing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Showing 20 of 164 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Rivian R1S

These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Rivian R1S, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Rivian R1S has 164 complaints on record across 5 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Rivian R1S has 44 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 24 of the Rivian R1S's 164 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Rivian R1S vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Rivian R1S vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Rivian R1S has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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Check a Rivian R1S by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Rivian R1S.

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Rivian R1S reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Rivian R1S reliable?

Poor. The Rivian R1S has 164 NHTSA owner complaints and 44 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Rivian R1S years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2023 (75 complaints), 2025 (54 complaints), 2024 (17 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Rivian R1S problems?

Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (36 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (35 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (28 complaints).

Does the Rivian R1S have recalls?

Yes — 44 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Rivian R1S. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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