Last updated: 2026-07-26
Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1t: Reliability Compared
Ford F-150 Lightning
Rivian R1t
Choosing between the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1t? 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 full-size trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Rivian R1t currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Rivian R1t is more reliable than the Ford F-150 Lightning, scoring 66/100 vs 54/100.
Key Differences
- 1Rivian R1t has 37.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Rivian R1t scores 12 points higher in reliability
- 3Rivian R1t has 7 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1t: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1t |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 54/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 28 | 21 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 47 | 10 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1t?
| Component | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1t |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14.8Above Avg | 0.8Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 11.7Above Avg | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4.7Average | 0.8Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4.8Average | —None |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 2.8Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.9Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| EQUIPMENT | 1Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.5Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1t Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1t | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 60/1003R / 2C | 65/1008R / 8C | Rivian R1t |
| 2024 | 61/1004R / 19C | 67/1006R / 7C | Rivian R1t |
| 2023 | 45/10011R / 175C | 65/1007R / 35C | Rivian R1t |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning scored 61/100 and the 2024 Rivian R1t scored 67/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Ford F-150 Lightning vs Rivian R1t: Common Questions
- Is the Ford F-150 Lightning more reliable than the Rivian R1t?
- Based on our data, the Rivian R1t is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford F-150 Lightning or the Rivian R1t?
- The Ford F-150 Lightning has more recalls (28) compared to the Rivian R1t (21). 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 Ford F-150 Lightning or the Rivian R1t?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Rivian R1t has a lower complaint rate at 10 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 47 for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1t? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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