2023 Rivian R1T: complaints, problems and recalls

I picked up this vehicle brand new from a Rivian service center. On the way home after approximately 90 miles, the screens lit up with a message saying Critical Battery Issue: Service Vehicle Immediately. In addition to the warnings on the console, there was a very loud beeping sound that did not stop. My understanding of the issue from speaking to Service and reading forums is that there is a software issue interacting with the battery which can cause this issue and eventually the vehicle to brick. It could cause a safety issue because in my…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518020 at NHTSA ↗

Car with less than 300 miles on it. On inspection of the underbody, a significant leak on passenger front side with grease in a centrifugal pattern. Appears that CV joint/boot is failing which is concerning on a brand new car for potential failure.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519701 at NHTSA ↗

The passenger airbag sensor is malfunctioning. When a passenger weighing 115 pounds is seated in the front passenger seat with the seatbelt connected, the vehicle disables the airbag. This has been documented with pictures and video multiple times to Rivian. They had the vehicle at their service center recently and informed me that the sensor was working properly. I implored them to road test it with an passenger of similar weight. I did not receive confirmation if they road tested the vehicle and it was returned to me with the same problem. I …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11545749 at NHTSA ↗

The passenger airbag is not engaged for anyone under 150lbs, which includes my wife, 16 year old daughter, 14 year old son and 13 year old daughter. Seems a dangerous setting to have such a high weight threshhold for Rivian and they keep responding to owners that all is functioning normal.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549148 at NHTSA ↗

High Voltage battery failed twice. At highway speeds and during failure vehicle resorts to turtle mode.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553369 at NHTSA ↗

Rivian issued an OTA update, 2023.42.0, that rendered all but the most basic functions disabled. There is no center screen. No ability to control defrost or climate in the vehicle. All advanced safety features, other than blind spot warnings, appear disabled.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11555060 at NHTSA ↗

There is no defrost mechanism for the headlights. Because they are LED lamps and cool to the tuch, they are prone to snow buildup and greatly reduced visibility.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559435 at NHTSA ↗

Front passenger airbag sometimes fails to activate when my friend, weighing 120 pounds, is sitting in the front passenger seat.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560397 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2023-11-21 (November 21, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-05-23 (May 23, 2024)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-06-05 (June 5, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-06-20 (June 20, 2024)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-06-03 (June 3, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-01-05 (January 5, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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 NHTSA.gov beginning February 24, 2026.

Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.