Last updated: 2026-10-10

2023 Rivian R1S
RELIABILITY SCORE: 57/100 (MIXED)

2023 Rivian R1S Reliability Report

The 2023 Rivian R1s has a mixed reliability standing, well below other 2023 SUVs, mainly due to passenger airbag shutoffs and electrical faults.

Recalls

9

Complaints

60

Complaint Rate

25.6per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

N/A

EV Range

274–352 mi

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity60/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs40/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact59/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity82/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Caution

Final first-generation year, marked by a recurring passenger airbag shutoff and electrical faults, with more complaints than the 2024 model.

Top Issues to Watch

  • AIR BAGS (26)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11)
  • STEERING (4)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2023 is the last model year of the First generation (R1S).

  • Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
  • 1st generation R1S (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2022: First generation (R1S) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is the last model year of the First generation (R1S).

Should You Buy the 2023 Rivian R1S?

Buy with caution. Reliability here is mixed. This year sits in the middle of the four scored R1S years, but it is well below average among 2023 SUVs. Owners filed 60 complaints, and 2023 is the last year of the first generation. The 2024 model rates better, with 13 complaints.

Air bags lead the complaints. The front passenger airbag switches off with an adult seated, the screen shows "Passenger Airbag Off," and passenger climate controls go dead. Service centers often can't reproduce it, and software updates have not fixed it. Electrical reports include black screens after the November 2023 software update, a full power loss in traffic with no hazard lights, and two crash reports of sudden acceleration with the brake pressed. Some steering owners describe the car lunging sideways with the wheel held straight. Federal recall records list 9 recalls, covering air bags, seat belts, lighting, suspension, and visibility.

Ask the seller for recall completion proof and any passenger airbag repair history. Test the airbag status display with an adult in the seat. A 2024 is worth comparing.

Compared to the 2024 Rivian R1S, which scored 5 points higher.

Pros

  • +Well-established generation

Cons

  • −Below-average reliability score
  • −Above-average recall count
  • −Above-average complaint rate for SUV
  • −AIR BAGS: Front passenger airbag switches off while an adult is seated (26 complaints)

Compare 2023 Rivian R1S With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 9 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • AIR BAGS (26)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

9

recalls on record

The 2023 Rivian R1S has 9 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

25.6

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 11.3

LowAvgHigh
Moderate

Safety Incidents

7

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2023 Rivian R1S Recall Details

9 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Rivian R1S. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

24V4080002024-06-05

AIR BAGS

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.

24V3670002024-05-23

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

23V7830002023-11-21

VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2023 Rivian R1S? Check its history first

Air bags problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Rivian R1S, and 9 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2023 Rivian R1S NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 12.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (TBT)LATCH Locations (2nd row, 3rd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Rivian R1SRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

2Maintenance rating: 2 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

2023 Rivian R1S Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
RepairEstimated Cost
AC Compressor Replacement$1,004 – $1,356
AC Compressor Clutch Replacement$666 – $797
AC Condenser Replacement$803 – $935
Air Conditioning Condenser Fan Motor Replacement$360 – $548
AC Evaporator Replacement$1,292 – $1,819

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Electric

274–352 mi range

Fuel cost: $950–$1,200/yr

Fuel only

43.226–53.698 kWh/100mi · 13 hrs @ 240V

Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.

Electric trims
TrimDriveTrans.RangekWh/100miFuel Cost
R1S 21 inch Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)352 mi43.2$950
R1S 21 inch Performance Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)352 mi43.2$950
R1S 22 inch Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)341 mi44.7$1,000
R1S 22 inch Performance Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)341 mi44.7$1,000
R1S (21 inch wheels)All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)321 mi47.4$1,050
R1S (22 inch wheels)All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)303 mi49.4$1,100
R1S 20 inch All-Terrain Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)307 mi49.2$1,100
R1S 20 inch All-Terrain Performance Dual LargePart-time 4-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)307 mi49.2$1,100
R1S (20 inch wheels)All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)289 mi52.4$1,200
R1S 20 inch All-TerrainAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1)274 mi53.7$1,200

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Rivian R1S.

  • Drive with an adult front passenger and watch whether "Passenger Airbag Off" appears or flickers.

  • With a passenger seated, pull the seatbelt fully out and check whether the airbag status changes.

  • Check for an "Airbag System needs service" warning at startup and ask for records of airbag part replacements.

  • Have someone stand outside the car while you sound the horn, and judge whether it is loud enough.

  • Confirm the screens, cameras, HVAC, lights, and wipers all work on the current software.

  • Put light weight on the steering wheel to check for drop, then make sure it sits centered and doesn't pull.

  • Drive over speed bumps at 15-20 mph and watch for a suspension service fault.

  • Listen for grinding in tight turns and ask for records of any hub bolt or axle repairs.

2023 Rivian R1S Common Problems by Component

60 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

26
11
7
AIR BAGS (26)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)STEERING (4)SUSPENSION (2)SERVICE BRAKES (2)POWER TRAIN (2)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)Other (5)

AIR BAGS

26 complaints

The front passenger airbag switches off while an adult is seated. The screen flips to "Passenger Airbag Off" and passenger climate controls go dead, sometimes for long highway stretches. Light passengers around 105 to 110 pounds and very large ones are both affected. Pulling the seatbelt all the way out can also trigger it. Service centers often can't reproduce the problem or call it within spec, and repeated software updates have not fixed it. A separate group of reports describes an "Airbag System needs service" warning that keeps coming back after several part replacements.

26 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 complaintsSafety-related

Screens go black after a November 2023 software update, version 2023.42, which also knocked out HVAC, cameras, driver aids, and control of the lights and wipers. Two crash reports describe sudden acceleration while the brake was pressed. Other reports describe a critical battery warning followed by a full power loss in traffic with no hazard lights, and an unexpected shift into park that stalled the car on the road. Some owners report airbag faults that came back after several part replacements, along with long waits for service.

11 complaints total2 crashes

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 complaints

The horn is too quiet. Most of these reports say other drivers can't hear it at highway speed, over road noise, or over music, and owners describe near misses because of it. The single horn has a low tone that doesn't sound like a car horn, and owners say earlier builds had a second horn. One report describes regenerative braking cutting back for several seconds in a turn, which let the car coast. Owners note there is no blended braking to make up for it.

7 complaints total
STEERING (4 complaints)

STEERING

4 complaintsSafety-related

The vehicle can lunge sideways while the wheel is held straight, and one such report involved a crash that damaged a wheel and rim. The wheel can also drop when light weight is put on it, even over small bumps, and that problem continued after three column replacements. Loose steering rack bolts made the wheel sit off-center and pulled the car toward the center line. One report says a rear tire went nearly flat on the freeway with no low-pressure warning, and the car wandered within its lane.

4 complaints total1 crash
SUSPENSION (2 complaints)

SUSPENSION

2 complaintsSafety-related

A suspension service fault shows up over speed bumps at low speed. It locks out ride-height modes and also disables blind spot sensors and cruise control, and restarts don't clear it for good. That report involved a crash with one injury. A separate failure is a front hub bolt backing out, which causes a loud grinding noise and unsteady handling and leaves the car undrivable until the hub bolt and axle are replaced. In that case the owner waited two months for service after first reporting grinding in turns.

2 complaints total1 crash1 injury
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

The parking brake can release on its own at startup. When this happens, 12-volt battery service warnings appear and the car starts to roll until the driver presses the brake. Owners point out the car can wake remotely, so this could happen unattended. A separate report describes door locks cycling by themselves and a burning smell from the vents during a long downhill run in rain with the defoggers on.

2 complaints total
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

2 complaintsSafety-related

The vehicle can stop itself in traffic without warning. It shifts into park, turns on the hazards, fills the screen with warnings, and won't shift out, so it has to be towed. One report puts this at 2100 miles in a car about a month old. Another report blames an accelerator pedal defect for a crash that left one person dead and one injured, and the car is in police custody.

2 complaints total1 crash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaintSafety-related
2024-08-27Crash reported

1> What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? * The sensors don't detect the object sometimes. There were 2 incidents when the car sensors did not detect the object a> In my office parking lot the rear sensors did not detect the fire hydrant and did not make the beep noise resulting in a collision. b> I was driving in my neighborhood; I was blinded by the sun and couldn't see the road ahead. Again, the sensors did not detect the car in front i ended up in a collision. 2> How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? * I had a collision with another car parked by the curbside. Luckily no one was in the other car but both cars had severe damages. I had bruises on my left-hand forearm. 3> Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? * When the first incident happened, I was not able to provide Rivian accurate date and time of the incident and the gear guard did not record the collision although it was supposed to record. So I went back to my office parking lot and i reproduced the problem 1 time after trying several attempts and shared the video with Rivian. I have had too many email exchanges with Rivian to help address the issue but they did not help. 4> Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? * When i reported the first-time issue first time, Rivian inspected the sensors on May 29th 2024 and they said there was no problem with the sensors. But it failed to detect the car in my street and hence i had this collision. I could not see anything as i got blinded by the Sun in the evening. I have a recording from the car's gear guard. 5>Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? * There were no warnings or messages during the incident. However, When it detects it applies the brake. But not this time.

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint
2023-12-11

I purchased my vehicle new from Rivian Automotive in November 2023. My rear tire went flat (to 4 PSI) while driving on the freeway on Dec 11, 2023. There was no warning message on the dash that my tire was even low. The truck kept swerving left and right between the lane markers like the lane assist was malfunctioning. Another driver got my attention to let me know my tire was flat. I had my SUV towed to America's Tire where they confirmed that there were no punctures in the tire and that it was defective. This could have resulted in a serious accident simply because I was not given proper warning about the tire pressure.

WHEELS (1 complaints)

WHEELS

1 complaint
2024-09-06

One of the bolts that attaches the electric motor to the front wheel (internal, under the vehicle) backed itself out. That seems really dangerous and I am hopeful the condition does not exist on the other wheels. I sent pictures to Rivian and they are taking the vehicle to their service center for further inspection.

Best & Worst Rivian R1S Years

Best Rivian R1S Years to Buy

Top Pick
62
Good

2024

6Recalls
13Complaints
57
Mixed

2023

(Current Model)

9Recalls
60Complaints

Rivian R1S Years to Avoid

No Rivian R1S years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 56 and 62 across 4 scored model years.

Rivian R1S Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Rivian R1S reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
202357/100Mixed
202462/100Good
202556/100Mixed
202659/100Mixed

Rivian R1S Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202659/100+3Mixed16
202556/100-6Mixed945
202462/100+5Good613
2023(selected)57/100—Mixed960

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2023 Rivian R1s reliable?
Not especially. Its standing is mixed, and it is well below average among 2023 SUVs. Within the R1S line it sits in the middle of four scored years. Owners filed 60 complaints, with air bag and electrical problems leading, and federal records list 9 recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Rivian R1s?
Air bags lead with 26 complaints, mostly the front passenger airbag switching off with an adult seated. Electrical faults follow with 11, including black screens and power loss. Steering has 4 complaints and suspension has 2, including a suspension service fault and a front hub bolt backing out.
Does the 2023 Rivian R1s have passenger airbag problems?
Yes. Owners report the airbag turning off while an adult sits there, with "Passenger Airbag Off" on the screen. Both light and very large passengers are affected. Service centers often can't reproduce it, and repeated software updates have not fixed it. Another group reports an "Airbag System needs service" warning returning after part replacements.
How many recalls does the 2023 Rivian R1s have?
Federal recall records list 9 recalls. Air bags, exterior lighting, and seat belts have two each. Suspension and visibility are also covered, along with one equipment recall. Ask the seller for proof that each recall repair was completed.
Is the 2023 Rivian R1s better or worse than the 2024?
Worse, by the data. The 2024 R1S rates better, with good reliability, 13 complaints, and 6 recalls. The 2023 has 60 complaints and 9 recalls. The 2023 has also had more time on the road to collect complaints.

Don’t buy a 2023 Rivian R1S without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2023 Rivian R1S

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Rivian R1S does best on how many systems draw complaints (82/100) and worst on repair costs (40/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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