VehicleVerdict

2023 Rivian R1S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2023 Rivian R1S carries two red flags at once: 120 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.9× the R1S norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Rear Toe Link May Separate). It is one of the R1S years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (28), other (18), and electrical system (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

120

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

22

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other R1S years?

R1S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted120 complaints2022: 13 complaints2023: 120 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 85 complaints2026: 19 complaints
R1S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R1S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Rivian R1S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2823%
Other1815%
Electrical System1412%
Seats1210%
Driver Assistance1210%
Tires & Wheels76%
Brakes65%
Suspension65%
Seat Belts65%
Steering43%
Transmission22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Engine11%
Speed Control11%
Body & Structure11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2023 Rivian R1S have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V009000Seat BeltsJanuary 15, 2026 · 869 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1T and 2022-2026 R1S vehicles. The bolts that secure the second-row driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies may be improperly tightened.

Consequence

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 2, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1795.

26V003000SuspensionJanuary 5, 2026 · 19,641 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1S and R1T vehicles that previously had service performed. The toe link may have been reassembled incorrectly during service procedures performed before March 10, 2025.

Consequence

The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will replace the rear toe link bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1794. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 24, 2026.

25V370000Seat BeltsJune 3, 2025 · 536 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1T and R1S vehicles. The D-ring bolts for one or both front seat belt anchorage assemblies may not have been properly installed.

Consequence

An improperly secured seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and properly secure the seat belt anchorage assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1681.

24V458000OtherJune 20, 2024 · 666 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S and R1T vehicles. The maximum vehicle capacity weight value on the tire placard label is incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will mail owners a corrected overlay tire placard label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1491.

24V408000AirbagsJune 5, 2024 · 1,723 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles. The attachment clips on the upper B-pillar and/or C-pillar trim panels may have been damaged during a service procedure.

Consequence

Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will replace the pillar trim panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM 1464.

24V367000LightingMay 23, 2024 · 2,334 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EDV, R1S, and R1T vehicles. The headlights may be improperly aimed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and adjust the headlight alignment as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1445.

23V783000Electrical SystemNovember 21, 2023 · 1,463 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1T and R1S vehicles. A software update may have deactivated the defroster and defogger system controls.

Consequence

The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1331.

23V233000LightingMarch 31, 2023 · 5,030 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S vehicles. The reverse light beam may not be visible from certain angles. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Reduced visibility of the reverse lights increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will repair or replace the reverse lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-855-748-4265. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1216.

23V159000AirbagsMarch 9, 2023 · 30 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S vehicles. The fasteners that secure the right and left side curtain air bags may be improperly secured.

Consequence

Improperly secured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will secure or replace the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. All owners have been notified and all vehicles will be repaired by March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1185.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE26004

Rear Toe Link May Separate

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting left rear toe link separation in certain Model Year (MY) 2023-2024 Rivian R1S vehicles. Both VOQs report component separation while driving, causing the vehicles to swerve across multiple lanes of traffic. One incident resulted in a collision with an adjacent vehicle and roadside barrier.  In both separations, the bolt that maintains the integrity of the toe link fractured. Evidence collected from the complaint vehicles included repair histories, onboard video, imagery of the damaged components, and a police accident report. The two vehicles with reported separation have different vehicle histories. One vehicle received prior service and the other was involved in a previous collision. In both instances, the vehicles operated for multiple months and thousands of miles of usage with no apparent problems between the previous service or the previous collision and the failures that prompted this investigation. Rivian recognized the subject toe link joint’s sensitivity to service procedures in March of 2025 in its updated service procedures. In January 2026 through recall 26V-003, Rivian extended the improved repair procedure to vehicles that received toe link service prior to the March 2025 improvement. ODI is opening a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to (1) assess the sensitivity of the rear toe link joint to foreseeable road and service conditions, (2) compare the physical failure evidence from the two VOQs to  identify apparent similarities and potential differences, (3) evaluate Rivian’s current toe link repair procedure, and (4) assess the in-field subject population’s toe links conditions. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“A passenger of lighter weight will not trigger the passenger seat’s weight sensor, rendering the passenger side airbag disabled. The passenger must sit up perfectly straight and center their weight on the center of the seat for them to be properly detected. A service center visit claimed the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 4, 2023

“Vehicle lunged to the right without any driver input. Damaged rim and wheel and could have hurt someone . Have never experienced anything like this in my life. Steering wheel was perfectly straight but vehicle lunges to the right. This is a safety issue. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 11, 2023 · crash

“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 INJURY. Has the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 8, 2024 · crash

“I was headed straight but stopped so that I could move into a left turn lane. As I got into the left turn lane and was straightening up behind the person in front of me at almost a dead stop the R1S lunged forward and accelerated at a high rate of speed hitting the car in front of me (speed control…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 1, 2023 · crash

“A passenger of lighter weight will not trigger the passenger seat’s weight sensor, rendering the passenger side airbag disabled. The passenger must sit up perfectly straight and center their weight on the center of the seat for them to be properly detected. A service center visit claimed the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · October 4, 2023

2023 Rivian R1S — common questions

Is the 2023 Rivian R1S reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 120 complaints put the 2023 model at #1 of 5 R1S years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the R1S years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 R1S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (28 complaints), other (18 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints).

Does the 2023 Rivian R1S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Rivian R1S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2023 Rivian R1S under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Rear Toe Link May Separate). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Rivian R1S years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the R1S years to avoid are 2023, 2025, 2024, 2022. The cleanest record among R1S years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.