2023 RIVIAN R1S Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2023 Rivian R1s. This model year has 61 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2023 Rivian R1s Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Uncategorized Issues
Seat-Related Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2023 Rivian R1s. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Carry Handle | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Shell | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Base | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Chest Clip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Buckle | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Harness | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Insert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Padding | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Rivian R1s. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 61 most recent complaints
The driver seat has preset settings for seat adjustments but they do not have Obstruction Detection. We have a rear facing car seat that was placed behind the drivers seat that had to be replaced (by us) as the seat auto adjusted and did not detect the back of the car seat and sn…
Yesterday was the 3rd time in 2 months that the vehicle displayed a "Airbag System needs service - Drive with caution until serviced" warning. I have taken it to Rivian 2 times where each time they replaced various components of the airbag system and it was reported to be fixed. …
On five separate occasions the airbag system on my car has become inoperable. Starting in July 2025 I noticed an airbag error on the display of the vehicle. I brought the car in for service and they replaced the steering wheel. The airbag error occurred again in August, this time…
The horn is far to quiet to be heard by other drivers. This creates a dangerous situation in many common circumstances on the road and highway.
I pulled into my semicircle, long driveway as I do every morning, and stopped at the top by releasing my foot off the accelerator (no need for brakes as it is an EV). I opened the garage door and slowly stepped on the accelerator, but it started to go fast, and I felt out of cont…
Front driver wheel had a hub bolt back out rendering the vehicle unable to drive. The car made a loud grinding noise and was unsteady. I had to pull over and was unable to drive any further. It required replacement of the hub bolt and axel. This is a known problem for rivian'…
Front passenger airbag is inactive for long periods of time while a passenger is seated in the vehicle during operation. This is indicated by the message displaying the airbag as being off. This occurs regularly with an adult seated normally in the seat while traveling at highw…
I am experiencing an ongoing and unresolved steering column defect in my 2023 Rivian R1S, which creates a serious safety risk while driving. Issue Details: The steering wheel drops unexpectedly when weight is applied, even lightly. This occurs both while the vehicle is stationa…
the sensitivity of the airbag sensor on the passenger seat is not functioning properly in my opinion. there are times when there is a passenger present and seated, the car is showing that the passenger airbag is off. I took the car to Rivian service center. They indicated that th…
On our drive back from Yosemite, we began descending from Groveland, CA after leaving the Rivian charging station. Due to heavy rain, the car ahead of me was moving cautiously, limiting my speed to about 20 mph while maintaining a safe distance during the descent to Moccasin, CA.…
The passenger seat airbag turns off when a passenger is sitting in the seat. I have taken the vehicle to the service center twice for this issue and they insist it is working as intended. This is a major safety issue for myself and children when we are sitting in the passenger …
1> What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? * The sensors don't detect the object sometimes. There were 2 incidents when the car sensors did not detect the object a> In my office parking lot the rear sensors did not detec…
I purchased my vehicle new from Rivian Automotive in November 2023. My rear tire went flat (to 4 PSI) while driving on the freeway on Dec 11, 2023. There was no warning message on the dash that my tire was even low. The truck kept swerving left and right between the lane markers…
One of the bolts that attaches the electric motor to the front wheel (internal, under the vehicle) backed itself out. That seems really dangerous and I am hopeful the condition does not exist on the other wheels. I sent pictures to Rivian and they are taking the vehicle to thei…
Horn is extremely underpowered and not audible to other drivers at highway speeds in particular. This has not been inspected by Rivian because all R1S vehicles are like this since they removed the second horn that was originally shipped in earlier builds.
Our son no matter how we try and position him his chin is touching his chest and starts to bubble during our car rides in the mesa max. He also seems to overheat in it and comes out sweaty even with the shortest car ride. We contacted the mfg and they told us he was too big for i…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? — ACCELERATOR PEDAL. YES, AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? — DUE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEFECT, IT RESULTED IN ONE CASUALTY AND ONE …
I received a critical safety recall regarding side air bags from Rivian regarding my 2023 R1S on June 14. After multiple attempts by me to connect with their Customer Service, I was informed that a mobile service technician would come to fix the issue on August 26, 2024. This wou…
My right front passenger seat does not detect adult occupants reliably, and therefore does not enable the airbags. My wife is approximately 105 pounds and sits in the seat in a standard upright fashion without leaning back. Her legs are not crossed and are just resting on the flo…
The Rivian is designed to kill fat people. The Airbag for the passenger seat does not function if there is a large person in the seat or the seat is very far forward with a normal person. When someone sits in the passenger seat the lower left corner of the central display changes…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Rivian R1s.
Recalls for 2023 Rivian R1s
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Rivian R1s. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2023 Rivian R1s — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2023 Rivian R1s reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2023 Rivian R1s has 61 NHTSA owner complaints, 7 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (28 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Rivian R1s?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (28 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (14 complaints). #3: Seat-Related Issues (12 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Rivian R1s?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Rivian R1s?▾
The 2023 Rivian R1s has 7 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 61 total NHTSA complaints. 2 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Rivian R1s have any recalls?▾
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2023 Rivian R1s. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2023 Rivian R1s?▾
The 2023 Rivian R1s has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Rivian R1s reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2023 Rivian R1s
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.