The 2023 Rivian R1S is a first-generation electric adventure vehicle with sophisticated dual or quad-motor powertrains. Early production units show recurring issues with drive unit mounts, inverter cooling systems, and various recall-related fastener concerns that demand close attention.
Drive Unit (Transmission) Mount Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 15,000-40,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding from underneath during acceleration or deceleration, Vibration felt through floorboards, especially under hard throttle, Visible sagging or misalignment of drive unit when inspected on lift
Fix: Replace failed rubber or polyurethane mounts; often requires dropping subframe or partially lowering drive unit. 4-6 hours labor depending on which mount(s) failed and drivetrain configuration (quad-motor jobs take longer). OEM parts availability has been spotty.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Inverter Coolant Leaks and Overheating
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Orange coolant pooling under vehicle (not the main battery coolant loop), Reduced power warnings on dash, vehicle enters limp mode, Inverter temperature fault codes, loss of regenerative braking, Sweet smell from HVAC vents if coolant vapor enters cabin intake
Fix: Inverter coolant system uses dedicated loop with quick-connects prone to seepage. Repair involves inverter R&R (6-8 hours), coolant system flush, and seal/connector replacement. Some cases require full inverter replacement under warranty. Independent shops need Rivian service account for parts and software resets.
Estimated cost: $3,500-7,500
Rear Seat Belt Anchorage and Fastener Recalls
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Recall notices for seat belt anchor bolts, suspension fasteners, and curtain airbag fasteners, No symptoms until catastrophic failure in crash scenario, Some owners report slight rattles from rear seat area if bolts are loose
Fix: Multiple recalls involve critical fasteners (seat belts, suspension, airbags). Rivian service centers perform inspections and re-torque or replace fasteners per TSB. 1-2 hours per recall campaign. Must be done at Rivian service center or authorized facility with recall access.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall work)
High Voltage Battery Module Faults
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 10,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of range (30-50 miles overnight without driving), Battery cell imbalance warnings, vehicle won't charge past 80%, Persistent battery thermal management faults, cooling fans run constantly, Complete no-start in rare cases with multiple module failures
Fix: Individual battery modules can fail due to thermal runaway protection triggering or cell degradation. Rivian typically replaces entire module clusters (8-12 hours labor) rather than individual cells. Battery pack removal required. Only Rivian service centers have tooling and software to safely perform high-voltage work.
Estimated cost: $4,000-12,000
Headlight and Backup Light Water Intrusion
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Condensation or water droplets visible inside headlight or taillight housings, Intermittent headlight or backup light function, flickering, Corrosion on LED driver boards causing complete light failure, Recall issued for backup light seal failures
Fix: Seal failures allow water into expensive LED assemblies. Early fix was resealing; current protocol is housing replacement (2-3 hours per side). Backup light recall covers specific VINs. If corrosion has damaged circuit boards, full assembly replacement required.
Estimated cost: $800-2,200
HVAC Evaporator Core Leaks
Rare · medium severity
Typical onset: 25,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Refrigerant smell in cabin, oily residue on windshield, AC blows warm, system won't hold charge, Moisture or frost on passenger-side footwell carpet, Rapid refrigerant loss requiring frequent recharges
Fix: Evaporator core tucked deep behind dash. Full dash removal required (12-16 hours labor). Use OEM evaporator; aftermarket units don't fit correctly. This is a brutal job on the R1S due to electronic integration and trim complexity. Flush and vacuum system, replace desiccant.
Estimated cost: $3,800-6,500
Drive Unit Fluid Contamination and Premature Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from front or rear drive unit, worse under load, Metallic particles visible in drive unit fluid during service, Vibration at highway speeds, feels like driveline imbalance, Reduced acceleration or power delivery inconsistencies
Fix: Drive unit (essentially a transaxle with integral motor) fluid should be changed every 30k miles despite longer factory interval. Contamination from seal wear or bearing particles accelerates gear damage. Fluid change is 1.5 hours per unit; if damage has occurred, drive unit rebuild or replacement runs 10-14 hours labor.
Change drive unit fluid every 30,000 miles regardless of factory schedule; metallic debris accelerates wear
Inspect drive unit mounts annually, especially if you off-road or tow frequently
Address all recall notices immediately—fastener failures are safety-critical
Find a shop with Rivian service account access before you need it; many repairs require proprietary software
Budget for extended warranty if buying used; high-voltage component replacement costs are astronomical out-of-pocket
Buy only if you have deep pockets or remaining factory warranty—brilliant truck, but early production teething issues and sky-high repair costs make this a risky used purchase without coverage.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: 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.
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS · 26V003000
2026-01-05
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1S and R1T vehicles that previously had service performed. The toe link may have been reassembled incorrectly during service procedures performed before March 10, 2025.
Consequence: The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will replace the rear toe link bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2026. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1794. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 24, 2026.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · 25V370000
2025-06-03
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1T and R1S vehicles. The D-ring bolts for one or both front seat belt anchorage assemblies may not have been properly installed.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will inspect and properly secure the seat belt anchorage assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2025. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1681.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 24V458000
2024-06-20
Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S and R1T vehicles. The maximum vehicle capacity weight value on the tire placard label is incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will mail owners a corrected overlay tire placard label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1491.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · 24V408000
2024-06-05
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles. The attachment clips on the upper B-pillar and/or C-pillar trim panels may have been damaged during a service procedure.
Consequence: Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will replace the pillar trim panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM 1464.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 24V367000
2024-05-23
Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EDV, R1S, and R1T vehicles. The headlights may be improperly aimed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will inspect and adjust the headlight alignment as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1445.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · 23V783000
2023-11-21
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1T and R1S vehicles. A software update may have deactivated the defroster and defogger system controls.
Consequence: The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1331.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS · 23V233000
2023-03-31
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S vehicles. The reverse light beam may not be visible from certain angles. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Reduced visibility of the reverse lights increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Rivian will repair or replace the reverse lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-855-748-4265. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1216.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · 23V159000
2023-03-09
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1S vehicles. The fasteners that secure the right and left side curtain air bags may be improperly secured.
Consequence: Improperly secured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will secure or replace the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. All owners have been notified and all vehicles will be repaired by March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1185.
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