2026 Rivian R1S
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Rivian › R1S › 2026
These records cover every 2026 Rivian R1S. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2026 Rivian R1S. Newest first.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1866. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 9, 2026.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Turn signals that do not function properly increase the risk of a crash.
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. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1833. This is an expansion of Recall 25V387. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 31, 2026.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1795.
Owner complaints
14 complaints3 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting · Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
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 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.
- Electrical system
The contact owns a 2026 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the GPS feature on the center digital screen failed to provide the accurate miles per hour traveled as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was…
The contact owns a 2026 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the GPS feature on the center digital screen failed to provide the accurate miles per hour traveled as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the GPS feature was delayed by approximately 2 MPH. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
- Steering
Within 48 hours of picking up my new 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, I experienced a power steering fault while on a public roadway to where the vehicle entered a crawl mode and the power steering stopped working. The car was not steerable. I spent an hour on the phone with Rivian emergency roadside…
Within 48 hours of picking up my new 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, I experienced a power steering fault while on a public roadway to where the vehicle entered a crawl mode and the power steering stopped working. The car was not steerable. I spent an hour on the phone with Rivian emergency roadside support and they had me perform a reset of the vehicle which restored the steering. However, it was still recommended by roadside service that the vehicle be looked at by the service team so it was towed to Gaithersburg service center. The problem was later identified in the system logs as a known firmware condition that is currently under investigation with no permanent fix at this time. There were no warnings or indication of this issue prior to it occurring. The issue has not happened again since it was at the service center.
- Fuel/propulsion system
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLAINT — This filing supplements VOQ No. XXX filed XXX for the same vehicle and incident. The original complaint contained factual inaccuracies that this filing corrects. PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED — KNOWN DEFECT — NHTSA MFR COMMS 11026123 & 11026124 VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian…
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLAINT — This filing supplements VOQ No. XXX filed XXX for the same vehicle and incident. The original complaint contained factual inaccuracies that this filing corrects. PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED — KNOWN DEFECT — NHTSA MFR COMMS 11026123 & 11026124 VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, VIN [XXX], LFP battery. Delivered XXX. ~700 miles at incident. INCIDENT XXX: Navigation showed 8% SOC buffer on arrival at destination 5 miles away — active system assurance of sufficient range. Simultaneous audible alarm and dashboard warning then fired with approximately 15-20 seconds to act at ~60 mph on busy [XXX]. Emergency pull-over executed under extreme time pressure. Complete propulsion loss on highway shoulder. ~80°F. Rivian Roadside quoted 3-hour response; independently hired private tow. Approximately 45 minutes after stall, 12V battery died and hazard lights failed — disabled vehicle on live busy interstate shoulder with no hazard lights in 80° heat. Zero residual power. Towed to West Gardiner Service Plaza. 4 hours on highway shoulder, 3 hours at rest area. $225 out-of-pocket (tow + Lyft). DEFECT: Rivian Hudson NH service (WO-XXX, INV_XXX) confirmed 13% HV battery cell capacity imbalance — dashboard SOC does not reflect actual cell capacity. Factory calibration defect. Firmware update only; HV hardware NOT replaced. Defect unresolved. PRIOR NHTSA FILINGS: Before my May 2026 delivery Rivian filed mandatory EWR communications: - Mfr Comm XXX: warned owners of fast range drop below 20% SOC, instructed to stay above 20%. - Mfr Comm XXX (Nov 24 2025): described progressive inaccuracy below 20% SOC. Component: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. Both on NHTSA 2026 R1S vehicle page. NON-DISCLOSURE: Neither filing disclosed at sale/delivery May 22 2026. Calibration-complete confirmation never sent to this VIN. BBB Auto Line Case XXX active. VOQ XXX filed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED — KNOWN DEFECT — NHTSA MFR COMMS XXX & XXX VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, VIN [XXX], LFP battery. Delivered XXX. 702 miles at incident. INCIDENT XXX: Complete unwarned propulsion failure on [XXX] at highway speed. Dashboard showed 8% SOC immediately…
PROPULSION FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED — KNOWN DEFECT — NHTSA MFR COMMS XXX & XXX VEHICLE: 2026 Rivian R1S Dual Standard, VIN [XXX], LFP battery. Delivered XXX. 702 miles at incident. INCIDENT XXX: Complete unwarned propulsion failure on [XXX] at highway speed. Dashboard showed 8% SOC immediately before failure — no warning, no alert. Vehicle lost all propulsion 5 miles from nearest charger. Stranded 7 hours. $225 out-of-pocket towing/transport costs. DEFECT: Rivian Hudson NH service (WO-000002294461, INV_20260608-150458) confirmed 13% HV battery cell capacity imbalance via diagnostics — dashboard SOC reading does not reflect actual cell capacity. Factory pre-delivery calibration defect. Firmware update performed; HV battery hardware NOT replaced. Defect unresolved. RIVIAN'S PRIOR NHTSA FILINGS: Before my May 2026 delivery, Rivian filed mandatory EWR communications acknowledging this exact defect: - Mfr Comm 11026123: SMS warning owners range "will drop fast below 20% SOC" and to "stay above 20% SOC until issue resolved." - Mfr Comm XXX (112425_SOCImbalance_Email, Nov 24 2025): Email describing progressive range inaccuracy below 20% SOC. Component: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. Both appear on NHTSA 2026 R1S vehicle page. NON-DISCLOSURE: Neither communication was disclosed at sale (May 18) or delivery (May 22, 2026). Rivian sold this vehicle with a known active propulsion defect without informing me. Calibration-complete confirmation was never sent to this VIN. REQUEST: I ask ODI to assess whether this constitutes a safety defect requiring recall under 49 USC 30118, and whether Rivian's continued sale of LFP vehicles after these filings without disclosing the 20% SOC limitation warrants investigation. BBB Auto Line Case XXX active. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Forward collision avoidance › Warnings · Steering · Vehicle speed control
Driver was making a left hand turn and as the turn was initiated the driver had no control of the vehicle. The vehicle system took over driving, causing substantial damage to the vehicle. Weeks leading up to the incident, the display and certain systems were not responding or provided errors. Following a reset each time, the vehicle would be operational.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Lock · Structure › Body › Door
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.
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
Summary of the problem: The rear liftgate on my Rivian failed to detect an obstruction while closing and continued to close despite contact with a person. What happened: While the rear liftgate was automatically closing, I was unaware it was coming down and walked into it. The liftgate made…
Summary of the problem: The rear liftgate on my Rivian failed to detect an obstruction while closing and continued to close despite contact with a person. What happened: While the rear liftgate was automatically closing, I was unaware it was coming down and walked into it. The liftgate made contact with my upper body/face and did not stop or reverse as expected. Instead, it continued closing and forced me to the ground. Safety issue: The liftgate’s safety sensor failed to detect a human obstruction, creating a serious risk of injury. This is especially dangerous for children or shorter individuals who may be struck in the head or face. Injuries: I sustained bruising to my face and was knocked to the ground as a result of the liftgate continuing to close after impact. Why this is dangerous: A properly functioning power liftgate should stop and reverse when it encounters resistance. This system failed entirely, posing a significant safety hazard. There were no warnings or components that alerted before or after it failed to sense.
- Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
I was involved in an incident where the vehicle (R1S 2026) accelerated unexpectedly, struck the car in front of me and the brakes were unresponsive at the time. The car only stopped after crashing.
- Electrical system
I have had siginificant issues with my new 2026 rivian R1S specifically based around two key areas: 1. inaccurate battery range reporting/capacity below 20% charge 2. inaccurate mapbox navigation. Those two issues combine to create a dangerous situation in extreme conditions for a vehicle…
I have had siginificant issues with my new 2026 rivian R1S specifically based around two key areas: 1. inaccurate battery range reporting/capacity below 20% charge 2. inaccurate mapbox navigation. Those two issues combine to create a dangerous situation in extreme conditions for a vehicle specifically designed and marketed for off-road adventure (snow, rain, below freezing temperatures) and for large capacity (7 passengers). These two issues have left me and my family stranded three different times in remote locations in spite of our best efforts to keep the vehicle well charged and cross referencing navigation with other apps. I have taken the vehicle to Rivian service twice already and I was assured that the software update 38.30, but that is not the case. This left me stranded in Lone Pine, California where I had to abandon the vehicle and have it towed back to the Burbank service center and again near Mt. Shasta, California. Both were in December 2025, in sub-freezing conditions at night after repeated charging attempts. This created additional issues where the 12V battery charge ran down, the vehicle couldn’t get into Neutral to be towed and in all cases, Rivian roadside assistance was not able help beyond scheduling a service appointment.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch › Emergency mechanical release
The access to open the rear doors in case of a power failure is complex and not practical or safe.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch › Emergency mechanical release
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…
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.
- Service brakes
The contact owned a 2026 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while at a red light and idled, the vehicle accelerated violently, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's vehicle crashed into another…
The contact owned a 2026 Rivian R1S. The contact stated that while at a red light and idled, the vehicle accelerated violently, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle and damaged the rear corner bumper of the other vehicle. The vehicle then crashed into a median strip where there was a 5-foot boulder. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a five-foot boulder, and the vehicle was damaged. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred when the accelerator pedal was depressed while leaving from a red light stop sign. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact sustained bumps and bruises. In addition, the contact received whiplash to the right side of her neck and scratches from the air bag deploying. The contact's six-year-old granddaughter, who was seated in the rear seat, received no injuries. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure was very scary, and the only thing that worked in the vehicle was the steering wheel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the information retrieved from the computer system indicated that the accelerator pedal was activated, and the brake pedal was depressed for six seconds. The failure mileage was approximately 977.
- Back over prevention › Warnings · Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control · Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
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…
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
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