Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Rivian R1S problems

Owners filed 76 complaints about the 2023 Rivian R1S with NHTSA between Mar 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (29).

Complaints
76
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags29
  2. Electrical system16
  3. Seats12
  4. Suspension8
  5. Seat belts7
  6. Forward collision avoidance7
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Steering5
  9. Lane departure5
  10. Wheels5
  11. Fuel/propulsion system2
  12. Vehicle speed control2
  13. Power train2
  14. Visibility/wiper1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202329
202422
20257
202618

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

29 reports2 related recalls
“Yesterday was the 3rd time in 2 months that the vehicle displayed a "Airbag System needs service - Drive with caution until serviced" warning. I have taken it to Rivian 2 times where each time they replaced various components of the airbag system and it was reported to be fixed. Yesterday the warning returned. I am extremely concerned that Rivian does not have the ability to properly diagnose and or fix whatever the underlying issue is regarding my airbag system. I am now scheduled to take my vehicle in for the 3rd time for them to "try to figure it out".”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2026Air bagsODI 11723046

Electrical system

16 reports4 crashes
“The specific failed component is UNKNOWN. My 2023 Rivian R1S has experienced recurring intermittent Limited Performance/loss-of-propulsion-type events since within months of delivery. The events involve unexpected reduction of available propulsion, reduced maximum speed, warnings, restarts, system/display restarts, and at times inability to move or change gears. Rivian documented Limited Performance while driving in January 2024. In March 2024, Rivian documented loss of propulsion and an approximately 10 mph maximum speed; a reset and sleep cycle did not correct the condition. Rivian later stated it could not reproduce the concern. In March 2026, Rivian documented Limited Performance while driving, the vehicle coming to a stop, and multiple restarts before it would move. On September 4, 2026, the vehicle again entered Limited Performance and would not exceed approximately 20 mph. After a restart, it operated normally. Rivian received the vehicle for service on September 7. On September 9, Rivian stated that initial testing did not duplicate the Limited Performance telltale, that it had no confirmed repair, and that it proposed an extended approximately 100-mile…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11763244

Seats

12 reports
“The driver seat has preset settings for seat adjustments but they do not have Obstruction Detection. We have a rear facing car seat that was placed behind the drivers seat that had to be replaced (by us) as the seat auto adjusted and did not detect the back of the car seat and snapped the car seat out of its base. We contact Rivian over phone and they did not have a remedy (over a year ago, cannot recall exact date). It happened several times where we had to force stop the adjustment to prevent damage to new car seat. Eventually we decided to place the new rear facing car seat behind the passenger car seat instead. The back of the drivers seat has permanent damage from it pushing against the car seat. I did not think about filing a complaint here until I read about the recent Hyundai incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2026SeatsODI 11727927

Suspension

8 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“I own a 2023 Rivian R1S, early production vehicle #531, with approximately 93,000 miles. While driving, I noticed the vehicle's suspension was not functioning normally. After parking, the front passenger side of the vehicle dropped significantly lower than the other side, leaving the vehicle visibly uneven. I also received suspension warnings indicating that the suspension system was too hot and needed to cool. I brought the vehicle to a Rivian Service Center. Rivian diagnosed a failed/leaking damper and a failed air compressor. I was informed that only one damper had failed, but that all four dampers must be replaced because Rivian changed the manufacturer of the dampers and the replacement components are not compatible with the original dampers installed on my vehicle. The estimated repair cost is approximately $8,000. I am concerned that this may represent a safety-related failure of the early-generation R1S suspension system rather than normal wear. The suspension failure resulted in a substantial and visible change in the vehicle's ride height and occurred after I had experienced suspension behavior changing while driving. I have also found reports from…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026SuspensionODI 11756055

Seat belts

7 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2023 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for service, and the service tech stated that all three rear seat belts had a wire that had been severed from the buckle. Additionally, the vehicle failed to detect an occupant seated in the rear seats. The dealer stated that the seat belt buckles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 29,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Seat beltsODI 11758022

Forward collision avoidance

7 reports3 crashes
“The vehicle's infotainment, driver gauge cluster and on display safety systems all fully lock up and reboot after about 30 minutes of driving. If you have highway ADAS engaged, warning sounds will occur but no display explaining the warnings. If you're using the vehicle's safety systems you suddenly do no have blindspot monitoring, or enabled ADAS. Additionally, navigation will not be available causing immediate confusion.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11740672
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.