Skip to content
CarTipsMentor
Driver's hand resting on the steering wheel during a drive

American make · Electric only

Rivian Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Rivian owners report most, model by model, drawn from 317 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2022 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Rivian

Origin
American
Status
Sold new, electric only
Most complaints
R1S (165)
Most-reported area
Airbags
Busiest model year
2023 (130 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
317
models with at least one complaint
3
of complaints mention airbags
18%
recall campaigns covering the R1S
22

01Common problems by model

Rivian Common Problems by Model

The 3 Rivian models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Rivian models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2022 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
R1S165Airbags and electrical system2023 (76)22
R1T129Airbags and suspension2022 (68)18
EDV23Seat belts and powertrain2023 (15)3
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The R1S leads with 165 complaints, most of them about airbags and electrical system. That does not make it the worst Rivian. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Rivian Problems Concentrate

Every Rivian complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 3 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Airbags58 · 18%
  2. Electrical system45 · 14%
  3. Forward collision avoidance40 · 13%
  4. Suspension36 · 11%
  5. Seat belts28 · 9%
  6. Steering27 · 9%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 202279
  2. 2023130
  3. 202426
  4. 202565
  5. 202617

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Rivian Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 165 complaints

    Rivian R1S

    1. 202376 complaints
      10 recalls
    2. 202554 complaints
      11 recalls
    3. 202417 complaints
      7 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and electrical system.

  • 129 complaints

    Rivian R1T

    1. 202268 complaints
      12 recalls
    2. 202339 complaints
      8 recalls
    3. 202510 complaints
      8 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and suspension.

  • 23 complaints

    Rivian EDV

    1. 202315 complaints
      2 recalls
    2. 20227 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 20251 complaint
      1 recall

    Mostly about seat belts and powertrain.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Rivian, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Rivian Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Rivian R1S recalls

    22

    recall campaigns, 2022 to 2026 model years

    1. Sep 16, 2026Backup camera system: software26V597000
    2. Aug 6, 2026Exterior lighting: turn signal26V508000
    3. Jan 15, 2026Seat belts: critical fasteners26V009000
    4. Jan 5, 2026Suspension: critical fasteners26V003000
    5. Sep 8, 2025Electrical system: adas25V585000

  • Rivian R1T recalls

    18

    recall campaigns, 2022 to 2026 model years

    1. Sep 16, 2026Backup camera system: software26V597000
    2. Aug 6, 2026Exterior lighting: turn signal26V508000
    3. Jan 15, 2026Seat belts: critical fasteners26V009000
    4. Jan 5, 2026Suspension: critical fasteners26V003000
    5. Sep 8, 2025Electrical system: adas25V585000

  • Rivian EDV recalls

    3

    recall campaigns, 2022 to 2025 model years

    1. Nov 25, 2025Seat belts: pretensioner25V816000
    2. May 23, 2024Exterior lighting: headlights24V367000
    3. Oct 6, 2022Suspension: front22V744000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Rivian dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Rivian Maintenance Schedule

An electric Rivian has no engine oil, spark plugs or timing belt. These are the services that remain.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Rivian
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Rivian's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageWhat each service costs

06Related guides and tools

Next steps for Rivian owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

07Questions

Rivian: common questions.

What are the most common Rivian problems?

Among 2022 to 2026 model-year Rivian vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are airbags (18% of complaints), electrical system (14% of complaints) and forward collision avoidance (13% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Rivian model has the most complaints?

The R1S, with 165 complaints on file for 2022 to 2026 model years. Its 2023 model year has the most, at 76. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Rivian for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

What maintenance does a Rivian need?

An electric Rivian has no engine oil, spark plugs or timing belt to service. It still needs tire rotation, a cabin air filter, brake fluid and coolant at the intervals in its owner's manual.

08About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Rivian. The Rivian name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2022 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.