2022 Rivian R1T

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

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

My Rivian R1T is experiencing a recurring problem with the 12-volt battery system. Around 2023, while I was traveling in San Francisco, my vehicle displayed a warning stating that the 12V battery needed to be replaced and instructed me to keep the vehicle connected to a charger. I was concerned that the vehicle could become inoperable and leave me stranded away from home. Rivian subsequently replaced the 12V battery. I am now experiencing the same warning again. The vehicle is once again telling me there is a problem with the 12V battery and that I need to keep the vehicle connected to a charging port. I depend on this vehicle for transportation to work, and I am concerned that if I disconnect it and drive to work, the 12V system could fail and leave me stranded or unable to operate the vehicle. I am concerned that having the same 12V battery issue occur again only a few years after the previous battery was replaced indicates a recurring durability or design problem with the low-voltage electrical system. A failure of this system can potentially make the vehicle inoperable even when the main high-voltage battery has sufficient charge. I am asking NHTSA to investigate recurring and premature 12V battery failures in Rivian R1T vehicles and determine whether there is a safety-related defect. I am particularly concerned about the possibility of being stranded without adequate warning and having to repeatedly replace a critical component of the vehicle’s electrical system.

NHTSA ID

11776510

Incident

Nov 7, 2026

I was driving with items in the truck bed, including a cooler. There was wind noise, which I initially attributed to the items in the back, but it seemed to be getting louder. The truck didn't feel right. As I was traveling approximately 70 mph (with cruise control engaged), it felt like regenerative braking was occurring. There were no warnings or warning lights. I decided to exit the highway to check things out. As I slowed down, the truck decelerated much more abruptly than normal. I pulled onto the shoulder and got out. There was a burning smell that reminded me of either an electrical fire or brakes that had been rubbing. Those were the only two things that came to mind. As I attempted to drive to a nearby gas station, the truck was extremely jerky and then abruptly stopped. We had it towed to our workplace. In our parking lot, I drove under 5 mph while my wife and coworker observed. The wheels initially rotated normally for several revolutions before the right rear wheel began wobbling laterally and instantly locked. The other three wheels continued rotating, moving the truck forward while the locked wheel skidded along the pavement. When I stopped, the wheel released. We repeated this sequence multiple times with the same result. I am concerned that if the right rear wheel had locked at highway speed while the other three wheels continued moving the truck forward, I could have lost control of the vehicle. No warning lights, error messages, or alerts appeared at any point. The truck is currently at Rivian Atlanta, received October 15, 2026. Rivian's October 20 estimate (WO-000002692556), Item 1, documents rear drive unit noise and unknown fluid leaking onto underbody panels. Rivian proposes replacing the rear drive unit and draining/refilling its fluid under warranty. I do not know whether Rivian reproduced the wheel lockup. Rivian has inspected the vehicle, which remains at its Atlanta location.

NHTSA ID

11774382

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

The backup cameras and sensors stopped working after update 2026.31.0 pushed by Rivian. The camera just doesn't load anymore, and proximity sensors stopped working. Multiple soft and hard resets did not resolve.

NHTSA ID

11773125

Incident

Oct 19, 2026

I have had a late model 2022 Rivian R1T since July of 2024. It had ~1500 miles on it, but has needed 12 services in just two years. This includes having to have the 12v batteries (2) replaced 11/2024 at ~6,000 total miles driven and again just 21 months later at 25,000 miles. Rivian would not replace the batteries this most recent time claiming they are not warranted since they were replacements and the vehicle is more than 3 years old. they did give me one of the 2 batteries for free most recently, but I still paid $542. It would have been ~$800. I requested to speak to a manager about it. after a couple attempts Carlo Tan at the Eastvale, CA service center spoke to me on the phone and stated this is not a reoccurring issue (even though there are forums full of same examples all over the internet) and that the batteries are out of warranty so he is not doing anything else. I asked to escalate it. He said OK, but never called me back. I phoned multiple times including waiting on hold for an hour with no call back. So I emailed the service manager who forwarded it to Carlo who then replied that upper management reviewed my case and declined to do anything else. I replied to that email on [XXX] and asked to speak with upper management myself or i would file a complaint with you. It has been 6-weeks and still no reply. I love my Rivian. I have two actually, but this is a problem particularly with early model years that Rivian won't take ownership of. I could have been stranded or worse my wife at night somewhere alone or who knows. at any rate, I just want this fixed for good and don't think i should have to pay a penny for it. thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771858

Incident

Aug 24, 2026

When shifting into reverse, sometimes it will takes 2 or more seconds for the rear/backup camera to display on the screen. Sometimes while in reverse and the rear/backup camera is being displayed, the camera image will freeze. This may happen when the vehicle is moving or stopped. Sometimes while in reverse and the rear/backup camera is being displayed, the alignment lines on the screen will not adjust when the steering wheel is turned. This may happen whether the camera image is frozen or active.

NHTSA ID

11770833

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

2022 Rivian R1T, ~102,600 mi. Front suspension dampers (hydraulic/air suspension) failing again. Front end rises under acceleration and suspension is soft. In rain the front tires lose traction during acceleration. Current parts are installed; vehicle available for inspection. Prior replaced parts were kept by Rivian; whether they still exist is UNKNOWN. SAFETY RISK: Front tires lose grip accelerating on wet roads, from a stop, merging, and turning across traffic, risking loss of steering control and a crash. On XXX the vehicle also limited itself to 50 mph without warning, a hazard in highway traffic. I now avoid driving in rain. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Current failure not yet confirmed; Rivian diagnosis set for XXX ([XXX]). Rivian has repeatedly repaired the same system: front dampers replaced XXX, XXX; rear dampers XXX; air compressor XXX. In XXX Rivian identified debris in the hydraulic suspension as a root cause, but failures continue after each repair. OTHER INSPECTIONS: Rivian only. No police or insurance inspection. WARNINGS: On or aboutXXX, after parking over an hour on flat pavement, the display showed "service suspension" and speed was limited to 50 mph. A vehicle reset cleared it; the rising front end and soft suspension began right after. Traction loss in rain first noticed XXX. Vehicle has Rivian OEM 12V batteries; Rivian performed 12V calibration XXX. Fault codes from XXX requested from Rivian in writing; not provided. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Written report sent to Rivian XXX no response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770333

Incident

Oct 10, 2026

Put vehicle in reverse. Instead of showing the reverse camera immediately, the system lagged and the vehicle's infotainment system became non-responsive. No reverse camera image was shown. Approximately one minute later, having finished backing up and started driving, the camera interface came up. At this point the interface for the infotainment was missing. I could not bring up any HVAC controls, and so had uncomfortable air blowing on my that I did not want, but could not control. (No manual controls on the vents.)

NHTSA ID

11769071

Incident

Sep 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Rivian R1T. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel was extremely loose. The steering wheel failed to turn as intended. The tow truck driver was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. After retrieving the vehicle for sixteen days, while driving at highway speeds and making a turn, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured steering rack. The vehicle was repaired. The contact believed that the dealer was negligent. The Rivian service hotline was called, and the contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11767413

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

Mileage

54,000 mi

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.