Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags and suspension. The 6 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/6 checked
2024 Rivian R1S: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2024's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Rivian R1S. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD, 4WD | 321–400 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Rivian R1S, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Unintended acceleration during parking leads to a crash with no air bag deployment in 1 of the 2 complaints. In that report, the vehicle keeps accelerating even with the brake pedal pressed hard, hits a curb and then another vehicle, and occupants report minor neck, side, and back pain. No warning lights come on beforehand. The other complaint says the front passenger seat does not detect a light adult, which raises concern that the passenger air bag will not work. Repeat service visits and a replacement seat do not fix it.
Clunking or thumping comes from the front end over speed bumps and sounds like something loose. The noise gets worse over time, and service visits end with it called normal. The worry is that a part could break and cause a breakdown or crash. The second complaint covers the air suspension's kneel feature. Kneeling stops when a front door is open, but the car keeps lowering while the rear hatch is open, so someone standing at the hatch can hit their head. Kneeling can be turned off. Both issues come from only 2 complaints.
Excerpts from complaints R1S owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
clunking/thumping noise coming from front end over speed bumps like something is loose or going to fall apart. have taken car into service few times and was told its normal, its getting worse. Online forum threads have mentioned same issue , I am afraid one of these days something going to snap and cause a breakdown or even worse terrible accident.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks third for owner complaints among 4 R1S years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2024 is the first model year of the R1S's second generation (2024 on). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Rivian fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2024
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recall repairs are free at any Rivian dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: The toe link joint may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: Damaged pillar trim panel clips can result in improper side curtain air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.".
Risk: Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2024 R1T and R1S vehicles. The dashboard air bag warning label may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: Without the dashboard label, operators may be unaware of the increased risks that an air bag poses to an infant or child in the front seat, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Fix: Rivian mailed owners the warning label information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1429.
Cars shoppers compare with the Rivian R1S, with their own 2024 checklists.
2024 owner complaints, side by side
