RoadVitals

2025 Rivian R1S Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jun 10, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 51 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2025 Rivian R1S submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 10, 2026

Rivian identified the recalls on our car model and are failing to get the vehicle to repair them since we are unable to get to the dealership.

NHTSA ID
11743166
Incident
Feb 2, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 26, 2026

Hazard lights are inoperable this will be the second time going in for repair but 4th time it has occured. It also makes SOS inoperable and the roof lights. This is a safety concern that has not caused an accident but is a big issue since hazard lights are used when accident or emergencies occur and they are inoperable and this has been a frequent issue

NHTSA ID
11727287
Incident
Mar 26, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 27, 2025

I am submitting this complaint regarding repeated ineffective repair attempts by Rivian Automotive, Inc. at its Costa Mesa Service Center on my 2025 Rivian R1S Adventure. During multiple service visits at Rivian’s Costa Mesa Service Center (January 29, June 18, July 16, and October 11, 2025), Rivian repeatedly failed to diagnose or correct the same issues affecting my 2025 Rivian R1S Adventure. • Drive Cam / Diagnostics Error: Rivian’s diagnostics incorrectly reported my drive storage as 119 GB when I have a 2 TB SSD (the maximum recommended). After five hours of testing, they failed to identify the issue. The in-car viewer still shows only partial clips, even though the full recordings are visible on a computer. • A/C Vibration and Noise: Despite Rivian tightening and insulating the A/C components, the vibration persists and is noticeable on the passenger side. This issue did not exist in the 1st generation R1S loaner vehicle, suggesting a design issue in the 2nd generation R1S, where A/C components are placed in the front compartment. • Proximity Lock and Bluetooth Delay: The vehicle frequently fails to unlock for 5–15 seconds even when I’m standing next to it. Rivian attributes this to “deep sleep mode,” which is unreasonable—no other automaker treats slow unlocking as normal. This delay is a safety concern in emergencies or bad weather. • Lighting / Camera Malfunctions: I provided video of headlights turning off while idling in a drive-thru and of the reverse camera freezing. Rivian could not replicate the issues and closed the cases. • Privacy Concern: A technician asked me to change my Rivian password and share credentials so they could log in for diagnostics. This raises privacy and data security concerns. After repeated visits and software updates (including version 2025.38.0, reissued October 21 and October 25 without listed fixes), all defects persist. These failures have caused significant inconvenience, time loss, and ongoing safety concerns.

NHTSA ID
11695876
Incident
Oct 11, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 14, 2025

During an early season wet snow storm within minutes of driving the lights had become covered with snow and deflected the light in such a way that created a very unsafe driving environment. There was zero snow on the road because of it not being cold enough to stick but the deflection of the light and limited light on the road it was nearly impossible to see the road markings and lines to stay in the lane and created a very unsafe environment around me requiring me to drive significantly lower to try to stay on the road which could have caused an accident with other drivers who were not driving as slowly. There are a significant amount of reports of incidents like this across multiple forum platforms (ie: reddit) where drivers of the Rivian have indicated a drive that was very unsafe and something they had never experienced before. Rivian needs to create a retrofit to the existing headlamp that has a heating element of something to continue to melt the snow off the light as driving since the truck face is flat and the LEDs do not conduct enough heat to melt snow as driving.

NHTSA ID
11693231
Incident
Oct 5, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 4, 2025

Regarding the Safety Recall mentioned below, I reached out to Rivian Service Center. They are not giving me an ETA to fix this and no alternate is given. Is there anyways NHTSA help me by making Rivian Automotive LLC take responsibility and address the issue sooner than later ? They dont have a fix for below safety recall and no ETA on when they can fix it. Its really disappointing to see the lack of accountability. Appreciate your help in this matter. best regards [XXX] Jun 13,2025 Manufacturer Recall NumberFSAM-1693 NHTSA Recall Number25V-387 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary Rivian Automotive, LLC has decided that certain model year 2025 Rivian R1S and R1T vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 and Technical Standards Document (TSD) 108 - “Lamps, reflective devices, and assoc. equipment.” Safety Risk Diminished front turn signal lamp performance may cause reduced awareness of the vehicle’s intent to turn for road users in front of the vehicle. Reduced awareness of intent to turn may increase the risk of a crash. Rivian is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this condition. Remedy Pursuant to its recall determination, Rivian will inspect and/or replace the front turn signal lamps on the potentially affected vehicles free of charge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11685004
Incident
Sep 3, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 3, 2025

vehicle failed to signal on left hand turn

NHTSA ID
11684784
Incident
Aug 13, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Rivian R1S. The contact stated received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V085000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the parts not being available. The contact stated that occasionally, during colder weather, the headlights failed to function properly. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11679048
Incident
Feb 28, 2025
Mileage
10,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2025

Hazard light switch stopped functioning one day. It is completely unusable and is a safety issue. Rivian cannot provide an ETA to fix the issue.

NHTSA ID
11648019
Incident
Feb 19, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 19, 2024

Driver side high beam lights are out or malfunction. No warning on dashboard except for "Adaptive High Beam not working." When the high beam assistance is set to Off, and I turn on the high beam manually, there are no warnings about the high beam malfunction whatsoever.

NHTSA ID
11609290
Incident
Aug 18, 2024

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

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