Common problems
Rivian Automotive R1S common problems and how to fix them (2023)
3 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
The Rivian Automotive R1S has 3 commonly reported issues — none catastrophic, all well-understood. Most are software or wear-item related and resolve on a single workshop visit. Rivian Automotive's service network handles them under warranty; out of warranty, repair costs are predictable.
The Rivian Automotive R1S sells in volume, which means a lot of cars are on the road, which in turn means problem patterns emerge faster than they do for niche models. This guide collects the 3 most-reported issues for the Rivian Automotive R1S based on Rivian Automotive service data and ev.care's hands-on inspections since 2022.
What Rivian Automotive R1S owners report first
Forum threads and service data both agree — this is a real issue on the Rivian Automotive R1S, not a one-off. One of the most discussed issues is "Drive Unit failure on early Quad-Motor (recall + lifetime warranty added)" — and on the Rivian Automotive R1S this typically shows up as inconsistent behaviour that an experienced technician can replicate on the lift. For a 141 kWh, 660 km adventure electric suv like the Rivian Automotive R1S, these patterns are well within what the platform is designed to handle once the right service-bulletin steps are followed.
More Rivian Automotive R1S fault patterns to know
Rivian Automotive R1S owners report this most often during the first 18 months of ownership. One of the most discussed issues is "Infotainment freezes (resolved via OTA)" — and on the Rivian Automotive R1S this typically shows up as inconsistent behaviour that an experienced technician can replicate on the lift. For a 141 kWh, 660 km adventure electric suv like the Rivian Automotive R1S, these patterns are well within what the platform is designed to handle once the right service-bulletin steps are followed.
Quieter Rivian Automotive R1S issues that still matter
This shows up across batches of the Rivian Automotive R1S regardless of trim. One of the most discussed issues is "12V battery drain" — and on the Rivian Automotive R1S this typically shows up as inconsistent behaviour that an experienced technician can replicate on the lift. For a 141 kWh, 660 km adventure electric suv like the Rivian Automotive R1S, these patterns are well within what the platform is designed to handle once the right service-bulletin steps are followed.
Practical next steps
If you already own a Rivian Automotive R1S, log issues in a simple notebook with dates and conditions. This is gold when you take the car back to the brand's workshop — it converts a "sometimes does this" complaint into a documented pattern that gets warranty attention.
Related Rivian Automotive EVs
If you are still cross-shopping, the Rivian Automotive R1S competes most directly with rivian r1t, cadillac escalade iq, gmc hummer ev suv — each has its own fault profile, and the right pick depends on which set of trade-offs you are willing to live with.
Frequently asked questions
- What if my Rivian Automotive R1S issue isn't in this list?
- Talk to ev.care. We see Rivian Automotive R1S cars every week and the long tail of one-off faults is real. The advantage of a brand-agnostic inspection is that we have no incentive to dismiss anything.
- Do these problems hurt Rivian Automotive R1S resale value?
- Only if they are unaddressed. A Rivian Automotive R1S with documented fixes and a clean inspection report holds value almost as well as a fault-free one. What dents resale is the absence of records, not the presence of a repaired issue.
- How long do Rivian Automotive R1S repairs usually take?
- Software fixes are same-day. Suspension and trim work is usually one workshop day. Anything involving the high-voltage system can take 3–5 days because parts get ordered from the brand's central warehouse — plan around it.
- Does Rivian Automotive R1S warranty cover these issues?
- Most of them, yes. The factory warranty on the Rivian Automotive R1S covers powertrain, battery, and electrical defects, and the brand has been generally responsive to the patterns in this guide. Document everything in writing and keep your service records.
Most Rivian Automotive R1S faults are well-understood and well-priced to fix. Ev.care's technicians have worked through every one of these issues many times, and Rivian Automotive's dealer network is generally responsive when warranty applies.