2022 Rivian R1T Owner Complaints

After gently removing the fabric cover of our Cybex Eternis S All-In-One car seat to wash it according to the manufacturer's care instructions, and then putting the cover back on, the car ride immediately following, the red plastic pieces designed to hold the cover in place completely snapped off. This structural failure exposed two sharp, unshielded metal screws directly in the child's seating area. Because these screws were left fully exposed by the broken plastic, they created an immediate laceration hazard. As a direct result of this defect, my young daughter's leg was cut by the exposed screws while using the seat.

NHTSA ID

11756504

Incident

Mar 13, 2026

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Electrical System (12V Power Supply / Low-Voltage), Climate Control (HVAC System / Thermal Management), Towing / Recovery DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY HAZARD & DEFECT: My 2022 Rivian R1T experienced a sudden, complete electrical failure due to a defective HVAC system, resulting in a dangerous hard-bricked state that rendered the vehicle totally inoperable. Approximately 30 days prior to the incident, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive inspection at a Rivian Service Center where both the HVAC system and 12-volt battery system were tested and cleared. Shortly after, a primary internal failure/glitch within the HVAC equipment created a high parasitic power draw on the vehicle's low-voltage circuit while parked. The HVAC module failed to enter sleep mode, continuously draining the dual 12-volt AGM battery array below critical operating thresholds. This rapid, deep-discharge condition completely disabled the vehicle's primary high-voltage contactors and low-voltage control modules, locking out all vehicle functions, electronic doors, and drive controls. The vehicle could not be restarted, jump-started normally, or safely shifted into neutral, necessitating an emergency flatbed tow to the service center. Technicians confirmed that the primary HVAC equipment failure directly caused the full depletion and destruction of the 12-volt electrical system. This defect presents an immediate safety risk. An uncommanded HVAC-induced power drain that completely depletes the 12-volt system can cause sudden electrical failure, vehicle bricking, loss of hazard lights, and lock-out conditions, potentially stranded occupants in dangerous environments or busy roadways. Rivian is treating this catastrophic multi-system failure as non-warranty maintenance, refusing to address a clear pre-existing latent defect in their low-voltage power management and thermal architecture. REQUESTED ACTION: Investigation into 2022 Rivian R1 HVAC power management defects causing severe 12V drain

NHTSA ID

11755183

Incident

Jul 26, 2026

In July of 2025 while driving my entire air suspension collapsed on the highway slamming the vehicle down onto it's bumpstops. Rivian covered a "fix" of this under warrant. In December the rear shock was leaking. Now in July of this year while driving the front air suspension collapsed to it's bump stop again.

NHTSA ID

11748125

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

The R1T has four cameras to assist the driver and provide warnings for lane changes, etc. The cameras are routinely failing while I am driving the vehicle. This started after an OTA software update. A software reset will turn the cameras back on, though they have repeatedly failed. Rivian attempted to correct the issue by replacing the front camera, which they determined was faulty. The cameras have continued to fail since then.

NHTSA ID

11745247

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

Vehicle gave a warning to service the electrical system and then shut down preventing any operation. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on a roadway impeding traffic or jeopardizing safety while driving. Could smell burnt electrical from within cabin. Had to have towed to service center and explained that condensation from air conditioner leaked onto high voltage heater coils and shorted out electrical system. Seems like a poor design that this was even possible. Dealer indicated this was not uncommon.

NHTSA ID

11742855

Incident

May 30, 2026

Rear Suspension Dampers leaking prematurely which could cause unsafe driving issues.

NHTSA ID

11736755

Incident

May 8, 2026

Subframe has cracked. It is a known issue for my vehicle as the welded subframe isn’t strong enough to hold the weight of my vehicle over time. Thus compromising the structural integrity over time, leading to severe safety hazards like unpredictable handling, poor stability, and potential failure of critical components. This can lead to accidents if not resolved. Rivian currently knows this is an issue and charges customers who are out of warranty over $11k to repair.

NHTSA ID

11731701

Incident

Mar 10, 2026

12 volt battery was replaced under warranty on date 07/08/2024 at miles 14059. Again, 12 volt battery needs to be replaced at 29343 miles as of today's date 04/12/2026. This is highly unusual. Please look into it. Prakashkumar Patel, MD

NHTSA ID

11730655

Incident

Apr 12, 2026

We were driving on the highway going 70 MPH when we heard a loud bang, and then the car immediately catapulted to the right off the road and slammed into the concrete right median, spun around hit a sign and then ended up in the right bridge barrier (shoulder). During the crash 6 airbags deployed from the impact of the crash. The highway patrolman stated that you could see the driver-side rear wheel started skidding based on the marks on the road. We thought it was a blown tire. But the tires were all in tact. The driver-side rear wheel was turned out and it was clear that the toe-link joint had separated from the wheel axel and this is what caused our crash. The car has been totaled by insurance company and taken salvage yard in Knightdale, NC. We were both wearing seatbelts, and I (the passenger) was thrown around during the crash and ended up going to the hospital with neck and back pain. I have severe neck misalignment and soft tissue damage on my neck and back. I was unable to work for 4 days after the accident and still am not able to sleep well due to pain. We were in the right hand lane of the highway and did not hit any other cars, but if we had been in a different lane we could have hit another car and caused more injuries and damage. The problem that caused the accident was the problem that was listed on the product recall, we had an appointment to get it fixed the next day. We had the car towed to the Rivian service center where they verbally confirmed it was the toe link that separated. It was inspected by the police, the Rivian Service Center and our insurance adjuster. There was zero warning prior to the loud bang other than the recall notice We

NHTSA ID

11730254

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

Passenger front suspension failure due to failed hydraulic pump (at 67k miles), resulting in wheels rubbing against interior, making vehicle almost inoperable without placing occupants at risk. It was immediate and without warning inside vehicle. When I spoke with technician they informed me that it was occasionally reported in earlier models. I was unable to view component.

NHTSA ID

11730236

Incident

Oct 28, 2025

Massive damper leak. Per research online, this is happening with a lot of the same vehicles. If it fails, it will place the vehicle in turtle mode even on the freeway which could be dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11730051

Incident

Apr 6, 2026

The 2022 R1Ts has a welded subframe that is prone to cracking due to the vehicles weight. The symptoms are a metal on metal clunking and creaking sound from the front end. In 2023 Rivian replaced the welded subframe on the R1T with a cast subframe that is stronger. I raised this issue to Rivian on 3 separate service appointments over the course of 3 years while my vehicle was under warranty, each time I was told that the sounds are normal. Now that my vehicle has just passed the 60,000 mile warranty period I am now being told that the truck needs the subframe replaced with the gen 2 retrofit kit at a cost of $11,500. As you can see by this Reddit thread, this is a systemic issue with the 2022 R1T and many customers have experienced cracks in the welded subframe- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11730019

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

I was driving late night to a campsite in a very rural part of the Big Island of [XXX] , about 45 minutes from where I live. I was by myself except for my dog, in the passenger seat. I was on a country road with a 30 mph speed limit, going about 25 mph. I engaged the cruise control and it immediately went up to 40-45 mph, far faster than the limit and far faster than was safe given the wet conditions and windy road. As I tried to slow the car down, using the steering while cruise control adjustment buttons, I steered through a curve and rather than turn with the road, as I had intended, the truck slid off the road to the left, effectively hydroplaning, into two trees, at about 40 mph. The airbags deployed as the truck came to a complete halt against the two trees. The car automatically called 911 as I sat there trying to assess what had just happened, whether I was hurt, and whether my dog was hurt. I told the 911 operator that the truck had called them automatically adn that I was ok and I would call in the morning after assessing what had happened. I am waiting for the police report and also waiting for the incident report from Rivian, which has an on-board log of events. I don't know why the cruise control engaged at such a high speed, rather than at the posted speed limit, but this appears to be a known flaw with Rivian's cruise control that I was not aware of. The cruise control and software are available for inspection by NHTSA. There is also an active recall on this vehicle that I was aware of but had been unable to schedule for service yet b/c it required shipping the truck to [XXX] on a barge. I had only had the truck on island for a little more than a month. From previous operations I had no reason to believe that the cruise control was faulty. It is possible that the recall issue may have been a contributing factor to the crash but I don't know b/c the vehicle has not been inspected yet by Rivian. They have scheduled an adjuster to come on April 14. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

NHTSA ID

11729578

Incident

Mar 22, 2026

2022 Rivian R1T, VIN [XXX] . On March 14, 2026, my service appointment at El Segundo Rivian service center [XXX] ) was deleted from the Rivian app along with all service requests and a timestamped customer message thread documenting my visit that day. Deleted items included active recall remedies FSAM-1795 (seat belt retractor bolts improperly torqued, NHTSA notification mailed ~March 9, 2026) and FSAM-1794 / NHTSA 26V003 (rear toe link improper reassembly, risk of joint separation while driving, notification mailed ~February 24, 2026), plus tire rotation, windshield replacement, and suspension repair. Both recalls were issued within 3 weeks of the deletion. This was the third of three consecutive failed appointments — all failed because El Segundo could not provide a promised loaner vehicle (January 21, February 10, March 14, 2026). The only surviving record [XXX] ) was altered by Rivian Service — they inserted the statement that ride height appears to be as expected and does not show variance before any inspection, directly contradicting my written report and a video I submitted through the Rivian app on January 2, 2026 at 9:34am documenting the defect. Rivian also added an all-caps requirement to replicate the issue on a test drive prior to intake despite existing written and video documentation. Rivian has a federal obligation to complete FSAM-1795 and FSAM-1794. Neither has been reinstated as of April 1, 2026. Formal complaint delivered to Rivian CEO via USPS Certified Mail March 18, 2026. Only response was a generic form letter (Inquiry #xxx) stating matter appears resolved. See also separately filed NHTSA complaint re suspension defect, same VIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11728566

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

2022 Rivian R1T, VIN [XXX] . Recurring suspension defects since delivery June 2022, documented across 18 service visits over 3.5 years. Rivian performed multiple repairs including Gen 2 suspension component replacement. This defect has never been permanently resolved. On July 11, 2025, El Segundo service center [XXX] ) repaired the front end lowering in standard parking mode — causing the vehicle to sit unlevel and knock the tires out of alignment when driving off. They repaired the suspension and corrected the alignment. In August 2025 a related defect appeared: when exiting camp leveling mode, the vehicle does not return to drive height. Instead it behaves as though still entering camp mode, forcing a slow drive-away during which the vehicle behaves erratically, knocking tires out of alignment — the same mechanism as the July parking mode issue. I reported this to Rivian in fall 2025. Despite scheduling three appointments — January 21, February 10, and March 14, 2026 — El Segundo failed to complete service all three times due to inability to provide a promised loaner vehicle. Suspension unserviced since July 11, 2025 — 9 months. On March 31, 2026 I filmed the front end lowering in parking mode recurring — same defect supposedly repaired July 2025. Vehicle self-leveled when I manually raised the suspension, but recurrence after a Rivian repair attempt is a safety concern. Video dated March 31, 2026 available. Service appointment also deleted from Rivian app March 14, 2026 including active recall remedies FSAM-1795 and FSAM-1794 — addressed in separately filed NHTSA complaint. Surviving record altered by Rivian Service to state ride height appears normal before any inspection, contradicting my report and app video submitted January 2, 2026 at 9:34am. Formal complaint delivered to Rivian CEO via USPS Certified Mail March 18, 2026. No substantive response as of April 1, 2026. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11728560

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

Incident Overview: In late February 2026, at approximately 114,000 miles, this 2022 Rivian R1T suffered a comprehensive failure of its kinetic (hydraulic) suspension system. The failure occurred during normal on-road operation at approximately 60 mph in temperate (60°F) conditions. The vehicle has no history of off-road use or heavy hauling. Safety Risk & Critical Failure Mode: The suspension is a safety-critical system essential for vehicle stability, emergency braking, and predictable handling. A loss of hydraulic integrity in this system directly compromises the vehicle’s ability to maintain ride height and damping control. High-Speed Exposure: The initial failure manifested while traveling at 60 mph. Although a warning lamp was triggered, the vehicle’s functional safety logic failed to initiate a "limp mode" or restricted speed state. This allowed the 7,000lb vehicle to continue at highway speeds with a compromised high-pressure hydraulic circuit, posing an unreasonable risk of loss of control. Lack of System Redundancy: A localized hydraulic leak resulted in a cascading collapse of the entire architecture. Per the $10,662 service estimate, the repair requires replacing the front and rear dampers, hydraulic pump, manifold, and all fluid lines. This suggests a design-level vulnerability where a single-point failure in the hydraulic circuit necessitates a total system overhaul, indicating a lack of modularity or redundancy. Safety Protocol Gap: After diagnosing the leak, the authorized service center deferred to my personal judgment regarding operational safety. This forced an untrained consumer to make a critical safety determination on a high-pressure system while the vehicle remained capable of full highway speeds. Technical Confirmation: An authorized Rivian service center confirmed the failure on March 3, 2026, and determined a full system-wide replacement is required. All components are available for inspection. No prior warnings or symptoms were presen

NHTSA ID

11728138

Incident

Feb 21, 2026

The vehicle experienced a failure of the air suspension system, initially presenting with warnings indicating the vehicle was raising and advising not to drive to avoid damage. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle became visibly uneven, tilting approximately 2–3 inches to the driver side. I took the vehicle to Rivian service, where they confirmed the air suspension had failed. The repair was not covered under warranty, so I initially declined service while attempting to escalate the issue. During this time, the condition worsened significantly, with the vehicle continuing to tilt and the suspension actively lowering while driving. On multiple occasions, the vehicle became unstable and began bouncing uncontrollably, making it difficult to steer and maintain control, creating a serious safety risk and potential for collision. The issue was ongoing and reproducible. I ultimately proceeded with the repair and had the suspension system replaced; however, following the repair, the vehicle is now tilting in the opposite direction (passenger side), indicating a continued or recurring failure. The vehicle is available for inspection, and a follow-up service appointment is scheduled. The cause appears to be a failure of the air suspension system and/or improper repair, though the exact root cause is unknown.

NHTSA ID

11726980

Incident

Mar 16, 2026

My vehicle is subject to an active safety recall involving a rear toe bolt that Rivian has identified as potentially shearing and causing loss of vehicle control and a crash. I am located in Ketchikan, Alaska. Rivian does not offer mobile or field service for this recall and requires the vehicle to be transported to either Anchorage or Seattle for repair. Transport to Anchorage is not possible, and while transport to Seattle is possible, there is no viable or predictable way to return the vehicle to my location, potentially leaving me without my primary vehicle for several months. Rivian has stated they will not cover transport and has not provided a feasible alternative. This leaves me without reasonable access to a safety recall remedy and effectively requires me to either operate a vehicle with a known safety defect or surrender it indefinitely. I am reporting this as a lack of reasonable access to a safety recall repair.

NHTSA ID

11716708

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

Initially, my instrument screen on my vehicle went black and stopped working. I had to drive roughly 10 miles home without the use of my speedometer. After replacing the AXM module, the cruise control and lane-keeping functions intermittently stop working. The vehicle was at the service center on and off for 57 days before it was returned to me without a resolution. I’m told this issue is affecting 30 vehicles in the Rivian fleet; however, they don't yet have a permanent fix. I brought up my safety concerns and was assured that this issue will not affect the automatic emergency braking and other safety features, which I hope is true.

NHTSA ID

11715815

Incident

Dec 7, 2025

the electronic door handles are malfunctioning and not opening or staying open. when they stay in and dont present, the door remains locked and cannot be opened from the outside. This is a safety hazard if an occupant cannot exit the vehicle in an emergency and the door cannot be opened from the outside. I have already had one (drivers door) replaced and now both rear passenger doors are malfunctioning. this is an intermittent problem. I believe this to be a manufacturing defect that should be covered at the cost of the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11698427

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

I was driving about 35-40mpg when the right rear toe link snapped due to inproper torquing. I believe the bolt had backed out then snapped. When I contacted rivian they initially blamed me for it before even in before inspecting the vehicle. Once they inspected it they stated it would be covered under warranty. There was no paint on the bolt to show proper torque had been applied. Which is a standard process for rivian. I had asked them to please check the left rear toe link as well and make sure it’s all torque properly or even replace the link since they are one time use parts. They did not check it they did not paint mark any of the left side. They did paint mark the right side. The result of this link snapping out my family in great danger by sliding across the road and almost going into the mountain side. We were on the freeway while this happened I would not be writing the report. I beg you to please look into this matter. I no longer feel safe putting my family into the vehicle as I am scared something else was not put on correctly. They also stated in the service report that the halfshafts were not seated properly which could have caused a catastrophic accident. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11691374

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

Vehicle was flagged for software update 2025.34.01. Upon installation, the software produced an error. In response to initial support request, OEM pushed an unreleased and unpublished software update versioned 2025.34.20. The new update also produced the same errors, and additionally prevented the vehicle from being able to be shifted into the Drive position, rendering the vehicle immobile and unusable for a defined period of time.

NHTSA ID

11690198

Incident

Sep 26, 2025

Vehicle making excessive noise due to the half shaft. Half shaft has been changed twice in the last 3 years and still experiencing the same issue. Sometimes this results on excessive vibration on the steering wheel.

NHTSA ID

11685848

Incident

Aug 30, 2025

Vehicle lurched to a stop in a parking lot, unable to shift into gear. Warnings: “motor fault detected”, “system fault detected”, “all wheel drive permanently engaged”, “replace 12v battery. “ Currently being repaired under manufacture warranty. Manufacturer confirmed drive unit needed to be replaced. This could have been a terrible accident if it happened on the freeway. My wife and dog were in the car with me. There were no warning signs leading up to this moment. We were stranded 400 miles from home and needed several tows to get home and to the service center.

NHTSA ID

11685730

Incident

Aug 31, 2025

while driving on 85 south warning message appeared.

NHTSA ID

11684321

Incident

Aug 31, 2025