Rivian R1S Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
96 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 R1S models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported R1S problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Rivian R1S models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 33 | 34% | Dealer or recall |
| Driver-assist systems | 20 | 21% | Dealer or recall |
| Electrical system | 18 | 19% | Often in the driveway |
| Seats | 17 | 18% | Usually a shop |
| Suspension | 13 | 14% | Often in the driveway |
| Seat belts | 7 | 7% | Dealer or recall |
| Wheels | 7 | 7% | Often in the driveway |
| Brakes | 7 | 7% | Usually on the spot |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2023 R1S drew the most complaints (75). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Rivian R1S recalls
15 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 R1S models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09 | 26V597000 | 2022–2024 | Driver-assist systems | An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2026-01 | 26V009000 | 2022–2024 | Seat belts | An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 2026-01 | 26V003000 | 2022–2024 | Suspension | The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2025-06 | 25V370000 | 2022–2024 | Seat belts | An improperly secured seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 2024-06 | 24V458000 | 2022–2023 | Equipment | A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-06 | 24V408000 | 2022–2024 | Airbags | Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 2024-05 | 24V367000 | 2023–2024 | Exterior lights | Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-05 | 24V319000 | 2024 | Equipment | 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. |
| 2023-12 | 23V883000 | 2022 | Throttle and cruise control | Failure to activate "auto-hold" or "park" can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-11 | 23V783000 | 2022–2023 | Wipers, windows and mirrors | The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-03 | 23V233000 | 2022–2023 | Exterior lights | Reduced visibility of the reverse lights increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-03 | 23V159000 | 2022–2023 | Airbags | Improperly secured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
Plus 3 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What R1S owners told NHTSA
“The system does not turn on the airbags for driver or passenger under 140 pounds.”
“I pulled into my semicircle, long driveway as I do every morning, and stopped at the top by releasing my foot off the accelerator (no need for brakes as it is an ev).”
“About 20 minutes prior to the crash I commented that the vehicle alignment was off.”
“Proceed to drive after leaving home and the display went blank.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on a R1S
An electric R1S has no oil, spark plugs or exhaust, but it still has a 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and cabin filters – and a mobile mechanic can handle most of that where the car is parked.
The high-voltage battery, drive unit, charging hardware, software and driver-assist calibration go to the brand's service center. Recall repairs are free there. Electric cars: what a mobile mechanic can and can't do
Common jobs on any car
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Wheel bearing / hub | $346–504 | Quoted after a look | Per wheel. Too few published mobile prices to show a range |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
We have no published price range for EV 12-volt batteries yet – ask for a written quote.
More Rivian problem guides
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Rivian R1S recalls and news
Rivian R1S: questions
What are the most common Rivian R1S problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the airbags, driver-assist systems, electrical system. The 2023 model year drew the most complaints (75).
How many recalls does the Rivian R1S have?
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Rivian R1S recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Rivian R1S?
Yes, on the parts shared with any car: the 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and filters. High-voltage, charging and software work goes to the brand's service center. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Rivian R1S model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.