Rivian R1T Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Rivian R1T 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.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Rivian R1T has 121 owner complaints and 32 safety recalls across model years 2022–2026. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2022 drew the most complaints; 2024 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Rivian
- Model
- R1T
- Model years analyzed
- 2022–2026 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 121
- Safety recall campaigns
- 32
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2022 (64 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
By model year
Rivian R1T: 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.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP 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.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageThe RIVIAN R1T has 121 NHTSA complaints and 32 recalls on record. 10 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 121 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 32 federal recall campaigns
- 10 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- 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
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
32 recalls foundSafety 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.
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
SEATS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
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 121 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
121 totalThese 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.
2024 Rivian R1T has a persistent pulling defect and safety hazard. Four repair attempts at Rivian Denver Service Center all failed: 1. Jul 16, 2025 - WO-1452784, 16,117 mi: Alignment performed. Defect continued. 2. Aug 11, 2025 - WO-1530133, 16,936 mi: Same-day return. Second alignment. Defect continued. 3. Nov 3-4, 2025 - WO-1745098, 20,520 mi: Rivian lead technician ride-along confirmed pull in writing: "After 2 alignments, vehicle is still pulling. Confirmed by lead technician." Tire rotation attempted. Defect continued. 4. Dec 22-23, 2025 - WO-1869730, 22,136 mi: Rivian documented "No Problem Found" after 2.5hr alignment + 20-min test drive, then waived $690 in labor. I have video of a Rivian advisor verbally confirming the pull in Nov 2025, directly contradicting this finding. Pulling caused premature wear on all 4 tires by 20,774 mi (Rivian confirmed, WO-1765303). Additional safety defects: - FSAM-1507: Hub-to-knuckle fasteners loose in 4 locations (Feb 2025, 11,590 mi) - FMVSS 108 headlamp federal violation corrected Jul 2025 - FSAM-1678: Front halfshaft washers replaced Nov 2025 - 12V battery failure limited vehicle to 61 MPH while driving (Oct 2024, 8,215 mi) Vehicle returned May 27, 2026 due to unresolved safety defect.Please investigate this defect on 2024 Rivian R1T vehicles.
On February 15, 2025, Rivian performed Field Service Action FSAM-1507 on my 2024 Rivian R1T at 11,590 miles. Hub-to-knuckle fasteners were found loose in four structural locations. This was identified as a safety-related field service action. A second field service action, FSAM-1678 (front halfshaft NVH washers), was performed November 3–4, 2025. I am reporting both actions to create a federal record of the structural safety deficiencies in this vehicle.
While traveling at highway speed on Interstate 95, the vehicle experienced a complete and sudden loss of propulsion. The vehicle would not respond to the Vehicle Restart function. The driver was able to safely pull to the shoulder from the right lane. The vehicle was towed to a Rivian service center, where technicians identified a low-voltage event matching a known Rivian engineering investigation. Rivian confirmed no current repair exists and that engineering is actively working on software improvements. The vehicle was returned unrepaired after 13 days. Rivian also replaced the 12V battery under warranty at a prior service visit in July 2025 for a related electrical system defect. Two field service actions (FSAM-1507, FSAM-1794) have also been performed on this vehicle.
Vehicles Steering wheel shakes when traveling over 20mph. Dealer has reproduced the problem multiple times but insists it’s a “design limitation”. The shaking can cause loss of control of the vehicle. Dealer refuses to investigate further. This has been occurring since day of purchase.
The entertainment and gauge cluster displays begin to slow down and stutter, eventually leading to a full reboot. This causes the ADAS view, as well as the blind spot cameras, and reverse camera to display a still image, even while the vehicle is moving, or display no image at all. Also, if this happens while Highway Drive Assist is active, the state of the system is not displayed and an audible chime is played.
I believed my car had a problem with the seals of the windows allowing severe wind noise. After attempted repair the problem persisted and, on closer inspection, it became evident that the driver side door is mis-installed and crooked. Rivian attempted to reprair this and only made it worse. The amount of wind/road noise that is coming in now is as if the windows was open. The door frame vibrates and whistles at speed. The mobile tech doesn't feel this is repairable but Rivian won't take responsibility for it. They have denied my BBB claim and I am pursuing a lemon lawyer.
Read 14 more owner reports
Rivian alerted me that there was a “service action” related to the hub, and while waiting for that appointment, the hub came loose while driving and began grinding against the brakes and went into full system shutdown. The truck needed to be towed and the hub and brakes needed to be replaced. The truck was undrivae while driving at highway speeds and could have crashed. When questioned, the service center reiterated that this was “not a recall” but simply a head up. The repairs were covered under warranty.
The horn no longer works. Mine and other’s safety are at risk because I have no way to relay hazards while driving.the issue has been ongoing and dealer has not reached back out. The component has not been inspected. No warning lights or messages.
The contact owns a 2024 Rivian R1T. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the "Drive Fault," message was displayed after which the vehicle lost motive power and the contact became aware that the brakes were not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to turn off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 1,700.
After gently removing the fabric cover of our Cybex Eternis S All-In-One car seat to wash it according to the manufacturer's care instructions, and then putting the cover back on, the car ride immediately following, the red plastic pieces designed to hold the cover in place completely snapped off. This structural failure exposed two sharp, unshielded metal screws directly in the child's seating area. Because these screws were left fully exposed by the broken plastic, they created an immediate laceration hazard. As a direct result of this defect, my young daughter's leg was cut by the exposed screws while using the seat.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Electrical System (12V Power Supply / Low-Voltage), Climate Control (HVAC System / Thermal Management), Towing / Recovery DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY HAZARD & DEFECT: My 2022 Rivian R1T experienced a sudden, complete electrical failure due to a defective HVAC system, resulting in a dangerous hard-bricked state that rendered the vehicle totally inoperable. Approximately 30 days prior to the incident, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive inspection at a Rivian Service Center where both the HVAC system and 12-volt battery system were tested and cleared. Shortly after, a primary internal failure/glitch within the HVAC equipment created a high parasitic power draw on the vehicle's low-voltage circuit while parked. The HVAC module failed to enter sleep mode, continuously draining the dual 12-volt AGM battery array below critical operating thresholds. This rapid, deep-discharge condition completely disabled the vehicle's primary high-voltage contactors and low-voltage control modules, locking out all vehicle functions, electronic doors, and drive controls. The vehicle could not be restarted, jump-started normally, or safely shifted into neutral, necessitating an emergency flatbed tow to the service center. Technicians confirmed that the primary HVAC equipment failure directly caused the full depletion and destruction of the 12-volt electrical system. This defect presents an immediate safety risk. An uncommanded HVAC-induced power drain that completely depletes the 12-volt system can cause sudden electrical failure, vehicle bricking, loss of hazard lights, and lock-out conditions, potentially stranded occupants in dangerous environments or busy roadways. Rivian is treating this catastrophic multi-system failure as non-warranty maintenance, refusing to address a clear pre-existing latent defect in their low-voltage power management and thermal architecture. REQUESTED ACTION: Investigation into 2022 Rivian R1 HVAC power management defects causing severe 12V drain
In July of 2025 while driving my entire air suspension collapsed on the highway slamming the vehicle down onto it's bumpstops. Rivian covered a "fix" of this under warrant. In December the rear shock was leaking. Now in July of this year while driving the front air suspension collapsed to it's bump stop again.
The R1T has four cameras to assist the driver and provide warnings for lane changes, etc. The cameras are routinely failing while I am driving the vehicle. This started after an OTA software update. A software reset will turn the cameras back on, though they have repeatedly failed. Rivian attempted to correct the issue by replacing the front camera, which they determined was faulty. The cameras have continued to fail since then.
Vehicle gave a warning to service the electrical system and then shut down preventing any operation. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on a roadway impeding traffic or jeopardizing safety while driving. Could smell burnt electrical from within cabin. Had to have towed to service center and explained that condensation from air conditioner leaked onto high voltage heater coils and shorted out electrical system. Seems like a poor design that this was even possible. Dealer indicated this was not uncommon.
Rear Suspension Dampers leaking prematurely which could cause unsafe driving issues.
Subframe has cracked. It is a known issue for my vehicle as the welded subframe isn’t strong enough to hold the weight of my vehicle over time. Thus compromising the structural integrity over time, leading to severe safety hazards like unpredictable handling, poor stability, and potential failure of critical components. This can lead to accidents if not resolved. Rivian currently knows this is an issue and charges customers who are out of warranty over $11k to repair.
12 volt battery was replaced under warranty on date 07/08/2024 at miles 14059. Again, 12 volt battery needs to be replaced at 29343 miles as of today's date 04/12/2026. This is highly unusual. Please look into it. Prakashkumar Patel, MD
Passenger front suspension failure due to failed hydraulic pump (at 67k miles), resulting in wheels rubbing against interior, making vehicle almost inoperable without placing occupants at risk. It was immediate and without warning inside vehicle. When I spoke with technician they informed me that it was occasionally reported in earlier models. I was unable to view component.
We were driving on the highway going 70 MPH when we heard a loud bang, and then the car immediately catapulted to the right off the road and slammed into the concrete right median, spun around hit a sign and then ended up in the right bridge barrier (shoulder). During the crash 6 airbags deployed from the impact of the crash. The highway patrolman stated that you could see the driver-side rear wheel started skidding based on the marks on the road. We thought it was a blown tire. But the tires were all in tact. The driver-side rear wheel was turned out and it was clear that the toe-link joint had separated from the wheel axel and this is what caused our crash. The car has been totaled by insurance company and taken salvage yard in Knightdale, NC. We were both wearing seatbelts, and I (the passenger) was thrown around during the crash and ended up going to the hospital with neck and back pain. I have severe neck misalignment and soft tissue damage on my neck and back. I was unable to work for 4 days after the accident and still am not able to sleep well due to pain. We were in the right hand lane of the highway and did not hit any other cars, but if we had been in a different lane we could have hit another car and caused more injuries and damage. The problem that caused the accident was the problem that was listed on the product recall, we had an appointment to get it fixed the next day. We had the car towed to the Rivian service center where they verbally confirmed it was the toe link that separated. It was inspected by the police, the Rivian Service Center and our insurance adjuster. There was zero warning prior to the loud bang other than the recall notice We
The 2022 R1Ts has a welded subframe that is prone to cracking due to the vehicles weight. The symptoms are a metal on metal clunking and creaking sound from the front end. In 2023 Rivian replaced the welded subframe on the R1T with a cast subframe that is stronger. I raised this issue to Rivian on 3 separate service appointments over the course of 3 years while my vehicle was under warranty, each time I was told that the sounds are normal. Now that my vehicle has just passed the 60,000 mile warranty period I am now being told that the truck needs the subframe replaced with the gen 2 retrofit kit at a cost of $11,500. As you can see by this Reddit thread, this is a systemic issue with the 2022 R1T and many customers have experienced cracks in the welded subframe- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 20 of 121 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Rivian R1T
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 R1T, in plain English.
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 R1T has 121 complaints on record across 5 model years.
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 R1T has 32 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 10 of the Rivian R1T's 121 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.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) 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.
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.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Rivian R1T vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Rivian R1T 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.
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 R1T 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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By state
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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 R1T.
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Rivian R1T reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Rivian R1T reliable?
Below Average. The Rivian R1T has 121 NHTSA owner complaints and 32 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 R1T years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2022 (64 complaints), 2023 (37 complaints), 2025 (10 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 R1T problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (20 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints); SUSPENSION (18 complaints).
Does the Rivian R1T have recalls?
Yes — 32 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Rivian R1T. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.