Is the Rivian R1s more reliable than the Volvo XC60?

No. The Volvo XC60 has the better reliability standing, and the gap is large. Owners report about 20 complaints per 10,000 Rivian R1s sold, compared with 5.3 for the XC60. The Rivian's reports also include air bag and power-loss problems that carry more safety risk.

Which has more recalls, the R1s or the XC60?

The Volvo XC60 has more recalls in federal records, with 42 across 8 model years. The Rivian R1s has 25 across 4 model years. The Volvo has been on sale for more years, so its total is larger. Per model year, the Rivian's count is higher.

What is the biggest problem with the Volvo XC60?

Water leaks are the most serious pattern. Water from the sunroof and roof drains collects under the carpet and reaches electronics beneath the front passenger seat. Afterward the car may refuse to leave park or fail to shut off. Center screens and driver displays going black while driving are also reported.

Are there air bag complaints on the Rivian R1s?

Yes. Air bags are its largest complaint area, with 28 complaints and 1 crash-linked. One owner reported unintended acceleration while parking and no air bag deployment in the crash. Another said the front passenger seat did not detect a light adult, and a replacement seat did not fix it.

Which Volvo XC60 years should I avoid?

Avoid 2022 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2025 and 2021. Whichever year you choose, check for sunroof drain leaks, brake pulsation or steering vibration at highway speed, and wipers that stall in snow.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60: Reliability Compared

Rivian R1S

Mixed

More Reliable

Volvo XC60

Good

The Volvo XC60 beats the Rivian R1s on reliability by a wide margin, with far fewer owner complaints per vehicle sold. The Rivian draws reports on air bags, steering and sudden power loss. The Volvo's main weakness is water leaking into its electronics.

How Do the Rivian R1S and Volvo XC60 Generations Compare?

Most used Rivian R1s shoppers face a split between two generations. The first covered US model years 2022 and 2023, so a 2023 car is first generation and sits among the weaker years. The second generation began in 2024, with a model year update that same year, and covers 2024 and 2025. The 2026 year is too new to judge. The Volvo XC60 has been in one generation since 2018, so every year in the data belongs to it. That generation got a facelift for 2021 and another for 2025. Both of those facelift years rank among its strongest.

Verdict

The Volvo XC60 is more reliable than the Rivian R1S, scoring 74/100 vs 59/100.

Reliability favors the Volvo XC60 by a large margin. Owners file far fewer complaints per vehicle sold, and its standing is good against a mixed one for the Rivian R1s. The Rivian's complaints include air bag, steering and power-loss problems that touch safety. The Volvo has serious issues too, mainly water leaks and screen blackouts. Its problems spread over a longer record and are easier to check for before you buy.

Key Differences

1Rivian R1S has 17 fewer total recalls
2Volvo XC60 scores 15 points higher in reliability
3Volvo XC60 has 14.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Rivian R1S

—

2Volvo XC60

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60: Which Is More Reliable?

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Rivian R1S	Volvo XC60
Reliability Score	59/100	74/100
Years Tracked	4	8
Total Recalls	25	42
Complaints per 10k Sold	20	5.3
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Rivian R1S and Volvo XC60?

Rivian complaints center on safety systems. One owner reported unintended acceleration while parking, ending in a crash with no air bag deployment. Another said the passenger seat did not detect a light adult. Screens go black at highway speed, and one steering report describes power steering and braking going unresponsive in traffic. Volvo complaints lean toward water and wear. Sunroof drain leaks reach electronics under the front seat, brakes and rotors wear fast, and front wipers stop in heavy snow. Only the Rivian has crash-linked air bag and suspension complaints. Both models have crash-linked electrical and steering complaints.

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60 common problem areas comparison
Component	Rivian R1S	Volvo XC60
AIR BAGS	4.5Average	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	1.8Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2.3Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	1.3Low	0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	1Very Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.5Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.6Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.5Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	0.3Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	—None
ENGINE	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

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

How Does Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60 Reliability Compare by Year?

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Rivian R1S	Volvo XC60	Edge
2026	59/1001R / 6C	74/1003R / 4C	Volvo XC60
2025	56/1009R / 45C	76/1004R / 22C	Volvo XC60
2023	57/1009R / 60C	74/1005R / 40C	Volvo XC60

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Rivian R1S scored 57/100 and the 2023 Volvo XC60 scored 74/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Rivian R1S vs the Volvo XC60?

If you want the lower-risk used buy, pick the Volvo XC60. Its complaint rate is much lower and its record covers many more model years. Target 2025 or 2021, its strongest years, and avoid 2022 and 2019, its weakest. Before buying any year, look for damp carpet under the front seats, confirm the sunroof drains are clear, test both screens, and feel for steering wheel vibration at highway speed. Pick the Rivian R1s only if you want one badly enough to accept more uncertainty. You should be comfortable with repeat service visits, since owners describe problems that went unresolved and recall repairs delayed by missing parts. Among its model years, 2024 is the better pick. Avoid 2025 and 2023, the weakest. The 2026 year looks strong on paper, but it has had little time to collect complaints, so do not treat it as proven. Ask for proof that recalls were completed, and check the screens, headlights and passenger seat sensor.

Rivian R1S vs Volvo XC60: Common Questions

Is the Rivian R1s more reliable than the Volvo XC60?: No. The Volvo XC60 has the better reliability standing, and the gap is large. Owners report about 20 complaints per 10,000 Rivian R1s sold, compared with 5.3 for the XC60. The Rivian's reports also include air bag and power-loss problems that carry more safety risk.
Which has more recalls, the R1s or the XC60?: The Volvo XC60 has more recalls in federal records, with 42 across 8 model years. The Rivian R1s has 25 across 4 model years. The Volvo has been on sale for more years, so its total is larger. Per model year, the Rivian's count is higher.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo XC60?: Water leaks are the most serious pattern. Water from the sunroof and roof drains collects under the carpet and reaches electronics beneath the front passenger seat. Afterward the car may refuse to leave park or fail to shut off. Center screens and driver displays going black while driving are also reported.
Are there air bag complaints on the Rivian R1s?: Yes. Air bags are its largest complaint area, with 28 complaints and 1 crash-linked. One owner reported unintended acceleration while parking and no air bag deployment in the crash. Another said the front passenger seat did not detect a light adult, and a replacement seat did not fix it.
Which Volvo XC60 years should I avoid?: Avoid 2022 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2025 and 2021. Whichever year you choose, check for sunroof drain leaks, brake pulsation or steering vibration at highway speed, and wipers that stall in snow.

More Rivian R1S comparisons

Rivian R1S vs Audi Q7 reliability Rivian R1S vs Mercedes-Benz GLE reliability Rivian R1S vs BMW X5 reliability Rivian R1S vs Porsche Cayenne reliability Rivian R1S reliability by year Rivian R1S years to avoid

More Volvo XC60 comparisons

Volvo XC60 vs Genesis GV70 reliability Volvo XC60 vs Audi Q3 reliability Volvo XC60 vs BMW X1 reliability Volvo XC60 reliability by year Volvo XC60 years to avoid

Decided between Rivian R1S and Volvo XC60? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Rivian R1S and Volvo XC60

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue