2023 Rivian R1S

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 NHTSA.gov

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 NHTSA should determine whether similar failures are occurring in other early-product

NHTSA ID

11756055

Incident

Aug 9, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11753900

Incident

Jul 29, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11749529

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11749527

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11748472

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11747311

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

While driving at city speeds, I heard a rubbing/grinding noise from the right rear of the vehicle and noticed that the suspension no longer felt normal. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, I found that the right rear wheel had shifted rearward within the wheel opening and was contacting the wheel liner. The condition appeared suddenly without prior warning messages or warning lights. I do not recall any curb strike, pothole impact, collision, off-road event, or other significant impact prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a manufacturer service center and inspected. The manufacturer determined the damage was impact-related and not covered under warranty. Recommended repairs include replacement of the right rear knuckle, upper longitudinal link, toe link, hub bearing, and halfshaft. The failure resulted in a significant change in rear suspension geometry and raised concerns about vehicle safety. The damaged components are currently in the possession of the manufacturer service center and may be available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11743356

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11740672

Incident

May 28, 2026

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that might have an audible rattle originating from the B-pillar area when driving on rough road surfaces. Upon customer complaint, Rivian will apply anti-rattle tape near both 1st row seat belt retractors to prevent rattling.

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that could have inadequate adhesion between the outer door panel and an internal reinforcement. On affected doors, the exterior door handle might not sit flush with the outer door panel or might move slightly when the handle is operated. Upon customer complaint, Rivian will apply new adhesive between the reinforcement and the outer panel.

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that might have bubbles in the painted surfaces below the exterior door handles. On these vehicles, adhesive that secures an inner door reinforcement could allow contaminants to corrode the inner surface of the door over time, affecting the visual appearance of the door surface. Upon customer complaint, Rivian will repair and refinish the affected door(s). Note: This document supersedes RSB-56-25-002-1. Revision 2 updates the instructions for using the air wedge and inspecting the door panel prior to use.

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1 vehicles that may have ultrasonic sensors detached from the front fascia mounting area. After detachment, the ultrasonic sensor may become dislodged and hang inside the front fascia, causing customer notifications for sensor issues and potential sensor damage. Upon ultrasonic sensor detachment, Rivian will perform an ultrasonic sensor repair to secure the sensor to the front fascia.

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that may be susceptible to water ingress in the front HVAC assembly. This may result in damp or soggy carpets in the front of the vehicle. Upon customer complaint of wet carpet in the front of the vehicle, Rivian will inspect the component and replace any damaged parts, and reseal the case to prevent further water ingress.

Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that may be prone to noise and/or vibration from the door areas, particularly buzzing and rattling sounds. This results in a perceived quality issue. Upon customer complaint of noise from any door trim panel, Rivian will modify several door trim panel components to alleviate the condition.