2026 Rivian R1S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
739 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch:Emergency Mechanical Release | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Electrical System: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch:Emergency Mechanical Release: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (2). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2025: 5; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11705326 · 2025-12-16 (December 16, 2025)
The contact owned a 2026 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while at a red light and idled, the vehicle accelerated violently, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle and damaged the rear corner bumper of the other vehicle. The vehicle then crashed into a median strip where there was a 5-foot boulder. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a five-foot boulder, and the vehicle was damaged. In addition…
Owner-reported narrative. 977 miles reported. Look up ODI 11705326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11713145 · 2026-01-24 (January 24, 2026)
I was involved in an incident where the vehicle (R1S 2026) accelerated unexpectedly, struck the car in front of me and the brakes were unresponsive at the time. The car only stopped after crashing.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11713145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11708078 · 2025-12-31 (December 31, 2025)
I have had siginificant issues with my new 2026 rivian R1S specifically based around two key areas: 1. inaccurate battery range reporting/capacity below 20% charge 2. inaccurate mapbox navigation. Those two issues combine to create a dangerous situation in extreme conditions for a vehicle specifically designed and marketed for off-road adventure (snow, rain, below freezing temperatures) and for large capacity (7 passengers). These two issues have left me and my family stranded three different times in remote locations in spite of our best …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11708078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743765 · 2026-06-12 (June 12, 2026)
PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED , KNOWN DEFECT , NHTSA MFR COMMS XXX & XXX VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, VIN [XXX], LFP battery. Delivered XXX. 702 miles at incident. INCIDENT XXX: Complete unwarned propulsion failure on [XXX] at highway speed. Dashboard showed 8% SOC immediately before failure , no warning, no alert. Vehicle lost all propulsion 5 miles from nearest charger. Stranded 7 hours. $225 out-of-pocket towing/transport costs. DEFECT: Rivian Hudson NH service (WO-000002294461, INV_20260608-150458) confirmed 13% HV batter…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11749354 · 2026-07-09 (July 9, 2026)
Within 48 hours of picking up my new 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, I experienced a power steering fault while on a public roadway to where the vehicle entered a crawl mode and the power steering stopped working. The car was not steerable. I spent an hour on the phone with Rivian emergency roadside support and they had me perform a reset of the vehicle which restored the steering. However, it was still recommended by roadside service that the vehicle be looked at by the service team so it was towed to Gaithersburg service center. The problem wa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11749354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743785 · 2026-06-12 (June 12, 2026)
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLAINT , This filing supplements VOQ No. XXX filed XXX for the same vehicle and incident. The original complaint contained factual inaccuracies that this filing corrects. PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED , KNOWN DEFECT , NHTSA MFR COMMS 11026123 & 11026124 VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, VIN [XXX], LFP battery. Delivered XXX. ~700 miles at incident. INCIDENT XXX: Navigation showed 8% SOC buffer on arrival at destination 5 miles away , active system assurance of sufficient range. Simultaneous audible alarm and dashbo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743785 at NHTSA ↗