2023 Rivian R1S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
29,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 73 complaints (39.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 12.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Seats | 12 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
Air Bags: 29; Unknown Or Other: 16; Electrical System: 15; Seats: 12; Suspension: 8; Seat Belts: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Steering: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 15 |
2023: 29; 2024: 22; 2025: 7; 2026: 15
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11543063 · 2023-09-07 (September 7, 2023)
The car automatically, abruptly, and without warning shift into park as I slowed down at a stop sign and stalled in the middle of the road. It did not shift into Park for 30-35 mins and even after doing hard and soft resets while on the phone with service. Somehow it worked again after my hitting the brakes several times and I was able to move it out to the side and drive it back home. This issue has happened multiple times in the past too but it only happened for a few seconds as opposed to such a long time. The car had a ‘charger not connecte…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11543063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550710 · 2023-10-18 (October 18, 2023)
Immediately after purchasing the vehicle, I got error codes thrown to service the suspension while driving to my house, specifically at 15-20mph over traffic calming bumps. This fault cleared immediately the first few times. On July 25 I submitted a service request as my family headed out on a two week, 900 mile trip. The service suspension fault had returned and disabled my ability to change modes/ride heights, blind spot sensors and cruise control, all of which I was counting on using during trip. I shut off and restarted the vehicle sever…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510668 · 2023-03-07 (March 7, 2023)
Steering wheel was angled when the car was going straight Vehicle felt unstable going into turns and would pull toward the center line in the road Upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, the steering rack bolts were loose and the rack moving side to side making the steering inconsistent and loose.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546818 · 2023-09-27 (September 27, 2023)
Vehicle lunged to the right without any driver input. Damaged rim and wheel and could have hurt someone . Have never experienced anything like this in my life. Steering wheel was perfectly straight but vehicle lunges to the right. This is a safety issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11552954 · 2023-11-01 (November 1, 2023)
One fine morning, went to start the car and the car threw a bunch of error messages related to servicing 12 V battery system and dis-engaged the parking brake that lead the vehicle to start rolling down the driveway. The message on screen warned of applying brakes, and luckily circumstances were safe around the car, and I was able to apply brakes and was able to reboot the car and systems restored. Considering this vehicle does not have traditional ignition and is capable of waking up via remote application, and this incident happened merely as…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11552954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11571793 · 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)
(1) Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: "Critical Battery Issue" + "Electrical Hazard Possible; Drive to service center immediately. Avoid driving through water" + "Coming to emergency stop soon; Steer to safety and park" (2) Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: (1) The car abruptly stopped near a corner in middle of street blocking the street, police had to intervene with traffic *potential for collision/pedestrian strike (2) The car had no electri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11571793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546596 · 2023-09-26 (September 26, 2023)
On the morning of 9/14/2023 while commuting to work, my one month old, 2100 mile R1S ground to a halt while driving normally in All-Purpose Mode at about 15mph in the middle of a busy road. There were zero warning signs or noticeable weirdness with the vehicle before this happened. The vehicle stopped itself, parked and put the hazard lights on with multiple warning messages on the screen displayed. There was heavy morning traffic and we had no ability to shift out of park to move the vehicle to a safer place. This was a very unsafe situation…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546596 at NHTSA ↗