Is the BMW X5 more reliable than the Rivian R1s?

Based on our data, the BMW X5 is more reliable with an average score of 60/100 compared to 58/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the BMW X5 or the Rivian R1s?

The BMW X5 has more recalls (63) compared to the Rivian R1s (25). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the BMW X5 or the Rivian R1s?

Adjusted for sales volume, the BMW X5 has a lower complaint rate at 6.3 per 10,000 sold versus 20 for the Rivian R1s. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

BMW X5

Good

Rivian R1s

Mixed

Choosing between the BMW X5 and the Rivian R1s? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The BMW X5 currently leads with an average score of 60/100 compared to 58/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The BMW X5 is more reliable than the Rivian R1s, scoring 60/100 vs 58/100.

Key Differences

1Rivian R1s has 38 fewer total recalls
2BMW X5 has 13.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3BMW X5 scores 2 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2BMW X5

—

1Rivian R1s

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s: Which Is More Reliable?

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	BMW X5	Rivian R1s
Reliability Score	60/100	58/100
Years Tracked	9	4
Total Recalls	63	25
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.3	20
Year Wins	2	1

What Are the Common Problems With the BMW X5 and Rivian R1s?

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s common problem areas comparison
Component	BMW X5	Rivian R1s
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	4.5Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	2.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	2.3Low
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	0.8Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	1.3Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.1Low	0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.6Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.5Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.4Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.3Very Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	0.3Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	0.1Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s Reliability Compare by Year?

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s year-by-year reliability scores
Year	BMW X5	Rivian R1s	Edge
2025	64/1004R / 49C	56/1009R / 45C	BMW X5
2024	57/1007R / 134C	62/1006R / 13C	Rivian R1s
2023	65/1004R / 24C	57/1009R / 60C	BMW X5
2026(predicted)	62/100(predicted)	58/100(predicted)	BMW X5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 BMW X5 scored 65/100 and the 2024 Rivian R1s scored 62/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

BMW X5 vs Rivian R1s: Common Questions

Is the BMW X5 more reliable than the Rivian R1s?: Based on our data, the BMW X5 is more reliable with an average score of 60/100 compared to 58/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the BMW X5 or the Rivian R1s?: The BMW X5 has more recalls (63) compared to the Rivian R1s (25). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the BMW X5 or the Rivian R1s?: Adjusted for sales volume, the BMW X5 has a lower complaint rate at 6.3 per 10,000 sold versus 20 for the Rivian R1s. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More BMW X5 comparisons

BMW X5 reliability by year BMW X5 years to avoid

More Rivian R1s comparisons

Rivian R1s vs Mercedes-Benz GLE reliability Rivian R1s vs Audi Q7 reliability Rivian R1s vs Porsche Cayenne reliability Rivian R1s vs Lexus GX reliability Rivian R1s reliability by year Rivian R1s years to avoid

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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