Rivian R1S years to avoid (and the best years)
158 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recalls across 4 model years, 2023 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 158complaints
- 18recalls
- 23reported crashes
- 1reported fires
- 10reported injuries
Which Rivian R1S years should you avoid?
No Rivian R1S model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Rivian R1S year has 35 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2023 (74) and 2025 (53).
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 158 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts33 (21%)
- Electrical & infotainment31 (20%)
- Steering, suspension & tires27 (17%)
- Other systems25 (16%)
- Structure & body18 (11%)
Recalls (18)
Safety · 26V597000 · Sep 2026 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 26V508000 · Aug 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
Turn signals that do not function properly increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 26V009000 · Jan 2026 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Suspension · 26V003000 · Jan 2026 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V585000 · Sep 2025 · model year 2025
Failure to detect another vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V537000 · Aug 2025 · model year 2025
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 25V387000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2025
Turn signals that do not function properly, failing to indicate the driver's intention to change direction, increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 25V370000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
An improperly secured seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Exterior lighting · 25V085000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2025
Headlight failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V827000 · Nov 2024 · model year 2025
Deactivated exterior lighting reduces the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V686000 · Sep 2024 · model year 2025
The driver may not know how to activate or deactivate the cruise control without the proper markings, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V458000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2023
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V408000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Exterior lighting · 24V367000 · May 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V319000 · May 2024 · model year 2024
Without the dashboard label, operators may be unaware of the increased risks that an air bag poses to an infant or child in the front seat, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Body & glass · 23V783000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2023
The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 23V233000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2023
Reduced visibility of the reverse lights increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 23V159000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2023
Improperly secured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.