VehicleVerdict

2025 Rivian R1S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2025 Rivian R1S carries two red flags at once: 85 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.7× 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 driver assistance (16), other (13), and lighting (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

85

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2025 compare to other R1S years?

R1S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted120 complaints2022: 13 complaints2023: 120 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 85 complaints2026: 19 complaints
R1S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R1S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Rivian R1S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1619%
Other1315%
Lighting911%
Electrical System89%
Speed Control78%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Brakes56%
Steering45%
Airbags34%
Engine34%
Transmission34%
Body & Structure22%
Fuel System22%
Suspension22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2025 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.

25V585000Driver AssistanceSeptember 8, 2025 · 24,214 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles operating a software version prior to 2025.18.30. The Hands-Free Highway Assist (HWA) software may fail to correctly identify a lead vehicle.

Consequence

Failure to detect another vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1744.

25V537000Electrical SystemAugust 21, 2025 · 23 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles. An improperly grounded connection inside the High Voltage Distribution Box (HVDB) may cause a loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and repair the HVDB ground strap joint or replace the high voltage battery pack as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1723.

25V387000LightingJune 11, 2025 · 27,882 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1t vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Turn signals that do not function properly, failing to indicate the driver's intention to change direction, increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1693.

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.

25V085000LightingFebruary 13, 2025 · 17,260 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles. The headlight low beams may fail to illuminate when starting the vehicle in cold weather. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Headlight failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will replace the headlight control modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1612.

24V827000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2024 · 5,128 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1T and R1S vehicles. Software version 2024.39.30 may prevent certain exterior lights from turning on when the Car Costume feature is activated.

Consequence

Deactivated exterior lighting reduces the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, 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 18, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1552.

24V686000SteeringSeptember 13, 2024 · 33 units

Defect

Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S vehicles. The steering column control module (SCCM) may be missing cruise control markings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

The driver may not know how to activate or deactivate the cruise control without the proper markings, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Rivian will inspect and replace the SCCMs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 18, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1532.

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.

“The contact owns a 2025 Rivian R1S. 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. The vehicle then lurched to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 26, 2025 · crash

“On [XXX], our 2025 Rivian R1S lurched forward while stopped at a red light, waiting to make a left turn. The driver, [XXX] , had her foot off the accelerator when the vehicle suddenly surged forward. She slammed on the brake, and the vehicle briefly bounced back — but then lurched forward again,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 6, 2025 · crash

“Hazard lights are inoperable this will be the second time going in for repair but 4th time it has occured. It also makes SOS inoperable and the roof lights. This is a safety concern that has not caused an accident but is a big issue since hazard lights are used when accident or emergencies occur…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 26, 2026

“Hazard lights are inoperable this will be the second time going in for repair but 4th time it has occured. It also makes SOS inoperable and the roof lights. This is a safety concern that has not caused an accident but is a big issue since hazard lights are used when accident or emergencies occur…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 26, 2026

“While my wife was driving our 2025 Rivian R1S (approx. 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 a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 22, 2025 · crash

2025 Rivian R1S — common questions

Is the 2025 Rivian R1S reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 2025 model at #2 of 5 R1S years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the R1S years to avoid.

What are the most common 2025 R1S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (16 complaints), other (13 complaints), lighting (9 complaints).

Does the 2025 Rivian R1S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Rivian R1S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2025 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.