AI DamageRivian R1S: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Rivian R1S across 5 model years: 152 owner complaints and 84 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 24% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 7% of all complaints
- Air bags: 36 complaints (24% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 27 complaints (18% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 51.
- Forward collision avoidance: 20 complaints (13% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 17 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Suspension: 15 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric 2022–2027
- automatic, 1-speed 2022–2027
Drive: 4WD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 152 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 36 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 4 | 51 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 20 | 11 | 0 |
| Seats | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 15 | 4 | 22 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 1 | 27 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Windows airbags deployed on driver window and passenger window behind driver seat
The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact and her daughter, along with one of the passengers, were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained minor injuries: abrasions and cuts on her forehead.
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 contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a driveway with the brake pedal still engaged, the vehicle lurched forward, crashing into the vehicle that was parked in front of her, with the entire front end of the vehicle.
13,500 miles), the vehicle was at a complete stop when it began to slowly roll forward on its own, followed by a sudden surge of acceleration, despite no input on the accelerator. This unexpected movement caused the vehicle to collide with [dealer] front and involved another two vehicles.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles…
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025 vehicles that may have a…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1 vehicles that may have…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2025-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- Service Document Revision - RCA-38-23-003-5
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025 R1T and R1S vehicles that…
- SMS Reminder sent to customers who had still open potential 12-volt failures
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.