2022 Rivian R1T Electrical Problems

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 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

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

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

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

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

Truck without warning, suddenly stopped and I was on one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles at an intersection, blocking a large amount of traffic and too dangerous to get out due to cars rapidly passing. Called Rivian support and they said it would take. two hours to get a tow truck to me even though AAA was only 20 min away, they would not call AAA. I was at risk of being rear ended. Fire department came and was able to move car to side of road. Rivian gave no assistance. Engine light came on and said call tow truck and do not drive, red lights, manual said it was dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11490062

Incident

Oct 18, 2022

When driving and when parked the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen (2 screen) can spontaneously turn off. This results in the entire instrument cluster being inaccessible while driving. Parking the vehicle for 20 minutes will recover the screens, but then it continues to happen. Rivian is aware of the issue and initially closed my ticket but has reopened it. I haven’t received a timeline to get it looked at and while they have reviewed logs, they haven’t given me any additional informations. The attached video shows the issue when I was parked since recording the video while driving would have been unsafe :) The car will still go into park and reverse despite the instrument cluster being inactive.

NHTSA ID

11483175

Incident

Sep 5, 2022