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2023 Rivian R1S problems

The most common problem on the 2023 Rivian R1S is airbags. It has 4.0 times the complaints of a typical R1S model year.

Year to avoid4.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
76
Recalls
10
Service bulletins
48
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2023 Rivian R1S problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 10

Back over prevention: softwareReported September 16, 2026 · 98,828 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2027 R1S, 2022-2026 R1T, and 2027 R2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a notification when in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1‑888‑748‑4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1866. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on on November 9, 2026.

Recall number 26V597000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/other: retractorReported January 15, 2026 · 869 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 26V009000 · Recall details

Suspension: critical fastenersReported January 5, 2026 · 19,641 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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 beginning February 24, 2026.

Recall number 26V003000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported June 3, 2025 · 536 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 25V370000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported June 20, 2024 · 666 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V458000 · Recall details

Air bags: critical fastenersReported June 5, 2024 · 1,723 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V408000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported May 23, 2024 · 2,334 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V367000 · Recall details

Equipment: electrical: infotainment: softwareReported November 21, 2023 · 1,463 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 23V783000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: back up lightsReported March 31, 2023 · 5,030 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 23V233000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/window: curtainReported March 9, 2023 · 30 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 23V159000 · Recall details

See all 10 recalls for the 2023 Rivian R1S

Defect investigations

Rear Toe Link May SeparateOpened May 26, 2026, still open

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

PE26004

Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Rivian R1S 48

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 48 bulletins for the 2023 Rivian R1S

2023 Rivian R1S fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
Electric motor Electric 352 mi range4WD72-8264-7468-78 MPGe
Electric motor Electric 321 mi rangeAWD65-7560-6663-71 MPGe

What 2023 Rivian R1S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Visibility · TX

Rear view camera is super buggy and takes forever to load when car put in reverse. General infotainment is laggy

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Driver assistance · LA

Backup camera failed to display while backing up. Proceed to drive after leaving home and the display went blank. The failure of the backup camera to display at all was very alarming and unsafe, fortunately no one was around and I was able to safely backup. No warning signs that the display screen was going to go blank. This appears to be related to the most recent software update on my vehicle this month. I have been noticing the screen has been sluggish when attempting to adjust controls.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

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 test drive to try to reproduce the issue. I retained photos and videos of additional events involving reduced speed, warnings, restarts, and inability to move. The intermittent loss or reduction of propulsion while driving can affect my ability to maintain safe speed and creates a potential crash risk. There was no crash, injury, or fire in the incidents described.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Seat belts · 29,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Suspension · KS

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 other Gen 1 Rivian owners describing leaking hydraulic dampers, damper failures, suspension sag or collapse, multiple damper replacements, and air-compressor failures. Some owners report Rivian replacing their original dampers with subsequently revised components. I am particularly concerned that Rivian has informed me that the original dampers on my vehicle can no longer be replaced individually because the damper manufacturer/component has changed. Although only one damper on my vehicle failed, Rivian states that all four must now be replaced. I am submitting this complaint because a suspension failure that causes a significant unexpected change in vehicle ride height may affect vehicle handling and safety, and I believe the federal safety agency should determine whether similar failures are occurring in other early-product

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX · crash

On XXX, at approximately 12:19 PM, I was in the drive-through lane at a Chick-fil-A in [XXX], with my child as a passenger. I was using one-pedal driving mode and had come to a complete stop with my foot off the accelerator. I turned briefly to hand my child an ice cream cup, and when I looked back at the road, the vehicle was accelerating at full power with no contact from either pedal. To avoid striking the vehicles stopped ahead of me in the drive-through line, I swerved left into the Chick-fil-A building, causing a collision with the building. This put myself, my child, and nearby pedestrians and drivers at serious risk of injury. Cedar Park Police Department responded to the scene and a report was filed. I have video footage of the incident. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I believe the accelerator pedal and/or its sensor malfunctioned, possibly related to a known issue some other Rivian owners have reported involving cabin temperature affecting the pedal sensor; this has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or manufacturer. I am requesting that the manufacturer pull the vehicle’s black box/EDR data and perform full diagnostics on the pedal and sensor. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Suspension · CA

Tension noise and creaking coming from suspensions. Special washers were needed in order to fill gaps in build tolerances.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Airbags · CA

When an adult passenger is in the vehicle passenger seat, the passenger airbag light shows "airbag off" Approximate weight 130 pounds

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA

The vehicle experiences recurring, uncommanded high-speed steering "lurches" where the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) system initiates aggressive, sudden steering inputs at highway speeds (65+ mph). These inputs force the vehicle out of its lane and require immediate, significant manual driver counter-steering to prevent collisions. These events occur without warning, despite no perceived environmental triggers. This issue involves the vehicle's automated steering and Lane Keep Assist software suite. This safety defect renders the vehicle inherently dangerous to operate at highway speeds for the driver, occupants and everyone on the freeway. This issue is not isolated to this vehicle; numerous owners have reported identical, terrifying high-speed steering shoves on public forums for over a year. There is credible evidence indicating that the manufacturer's executive leadership, including the CEO, has been aware of these fleet-wide issues for well over a year. Despite this knowledge, the manufacturer continues to characterize these life-safety events as "Operating as Designed" or "No Fault Found" (NFF). This issue has been reported to the manufacturer’s service center repeatedly over several months by myself and other owners. Despite the manufacturer claiming to be "diagnosing" or "duplicating" the steering failure, telemetry data from the vehicle (including odometer audits) confirms that the vehicle remains stationary at the service facility for extended periods with zero diagnostic miles driven during these "repair" attempts. Other service appointments show minimal miles driven. The manufacturer has replaced safety-critical steering hardware, including the steering column assembly, without resolving the persistent software-driven steering lurches. The manufacturer’s refusal to acknowledge the defect or conduct meaningful, speed-appropriate road validation, despite being notified of the systemic safety risk, suggests a failure to address an acute life-safety hazard.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Suspension · MI

Right rear toe link to knuckle bolt snapped off while driving causing a deadly situation.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2023 Rivian R1S

Is the 2023 Rivian R1S reliable?

Owners have filed 76 complaints about the 2023 Rivian R1S, 4.0 times a typical R1S model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Rivian R1S?

Airbags, with 29 complaints. Next is electrical (16).

How many recalls does the 2023 Rivian R1S have?

10 recalls, covering back over prevention, seat belts and suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2023 Rivian R1S airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 24V408000, 23V159000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Rivian R1S get?

The 2023 Rivian R1S is rated at 68-78 MPGe combined, with up to 352 miles of range.

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