Most common 2026 Rivian R1S problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Rivian R1S complaints by model year
Best R1S years: 2024. Years to avoid: 2025. Compare all years →
2026 Rivian R1S recalls (3)
Back over prevention › Software
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2027 R1S, 2022-2026 R1T, and 2027 R2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a notification when in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025-2026 R1S and R1T vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261.
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1T and 2022-2026 R1S vehicles. The bolts that secure the second-row driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies may be improperly tightened.
Remedy: Rivian will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 2, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261.
What 2026 Rivian R1S owners say
Driver assistance
I am writing to report a serious safety incident involving my 2026 Rivian R1S. While I was slowly parking the vehicle, it suddenly experienced what appears to be unintended acceleration, causing the car to lunge forward uncontrollably and crash directly into my home. This resulted in significant property damage as well as injuries to the passengers inside the vehicle. Earlier in the drive, I had also reported experiencing electronic and system irregularities, which now seem potentially related to this failure. Given the severity of the incident and the concerning sequence of events
While I was traveling, I suddenly got a brake light fault, turn signal fault, and front camera fault warning messages that appeared on the computer. Rear driver's side tail light/turn signal light stopped functioning and the rest of the brake lights are stuck on, including the rear third tail light while driving and when vehicle is locked/idle. Rivian had me perform soft and hard resets, but that did not solve these problems. Rivian states they are unable to assist me further until I drive it to a service center located near my home.
Locks & latches
I would like to file a safety concern regarding the vehicles rear doors. The manual latch is covered by a strong piece of plastic that cannot be opened in a quick emergency. I am very worried as I drive with family and I don't want them to potentially be stuck. The front doors have an easy manual latch right next to the electric door open button, and I would like to report this concern as the back doors should also have a manual latch just like the front. The current latches genuinely are difficult to open.
When backing into a parking spot on two separate occasions the drivers door popped open while the vehicle was in motion and the doors were locked after my knee brushed against the button to open the door while the car was in motion.
2026 Rivian R1S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | 4WD | 92 / 77 / 85 MPGe | 270 mi |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Rivian R1S a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2026 R1S rates average: 4.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the R1S at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Rivian R1S?
The driver assistance — 3 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about warnings. Next are the locks & latches (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 Rivian R1S have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2026 Rivian R1S, the most recent from September 16, 2026 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Rivian R1S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025. See the full Rivian R1S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2026 Rivian R1S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 1,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.