If you own, or are eyeing, a used Rivian R1S, you’ve probably heard about multiple recalls on the electric SUV. The **Rivian R1S recalls list** now spans seat belts, headlights, labels, and advanced driver‑assistance software, and it can be hard to tell what really matters, what’s already fixed by software, and what still requires a service visit.
Recalls are normal, especially for new EV brands
Overview: How many Rivian R1S recalls are there?
Rivian R1S recall picture at a glance
Third‑party reliability data and NHTSA filings show that the **2025 Rivian R1S has been subject to nine recalls** so far, with earlier model years (2022–2024) seeing several campaigns as well. Many of these overlap across model years and are shared with the R1T pickup. A growing share are **software‑only recalls** that Rivian can fix with an over‑the‑air (OTA) update.
Recall lists change
Rivian R1S recalls by model year (2022–2026)
Below is a **high‑level view** of known Rivian R1S recalls by model year as of February 25, 2026. This is not an official NHTSA list, but a shopper‑friendly summary so you know what to expect when you check a specific vehicle.
Rivian R1S recalls by model year
Broad snapshot of recall activity affecting 2022–2026 Rivian R1S SUVs. Exact coverage varies by VIN; always confirm using a recall lookup tool.
| Model year | Typical number of recalls | Key themes | Notes for shoppers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 R1S | Multiple | Early‑production hardware and fasteners, steering and suspension, seat components | Expect several campaigns; verify all work in service records. |
| 2023 R1S | Multiple | Seat belt/occupant detection‑related, labels, various hardware | Some safety‑critical campaigns; ask for proof of completion. |
| 2024 R1S | Several | Airbag warning label, evolving hardware tweaks | Newer builds tend to have more issues resolved from factory. |
| 2025 R1S | 9 (so far) | Highway Assist driver‑assistance software, headlights, various fasteners/seat belt issues | Mix of OTA and in‑shop fixes; confirm software is current. |
| 2026 R1S | Emerging | Carry‑over campaigns plus any new findings | Too early for a full pattern, expect updates over time. |
Model years with more recalls are not automatically unsafe, but you’ll want to confirm that all campaigns are closed on any used R1S you’re considering.
Use model year as a starting point, not the final word
Major Rivian R1S recall campaigns explained
Here’s a shopper‑oriented **Rivian R1S recalls list** that covers the most important campaigns affecting safety, drivability, or day‑to‑day usability. Exact NHTSA campaign IDs are omitted here for readability, but any Rivian service advisor, or the NHTSA site, can match these descriptions to the official record.
Key Rivian R1S recall themes
From software glitches to seat belt hardware, these are the campaigns shoppers ask about most often.
Hands‑Free Highway Assist misidentifying vehicles (2025 models)
What happened: About 24,000 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles were recalled after Rivian found that the Hands‑Free Highway Assist system could misclassify a slower vehicle ahead and not slow enough to avoid a collision under certain conditions.
- Applies mainly to 2025 vehicles with software before a mid‑2025 release.
- One low‑speed collision helped trigger the investigation; no injuries reported.
- Fix is a mandatory over‑the‑air software update.
What to check: Confirm the R1S is running the latest software and that this campaign shows as closed in Rivian’s records.
Headlight low beams failing in cold weather (2025)
What happened: Certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles were recalled because the low‑beam headlights could fail to illuminate when the vehicle was started in cold conditions, violating federal lighting standards.
- Impacts night‑time visibility and crash risk.
- Fix typically involves replacing or updating the headlight control modules.
What to check: Ask if the headlight recall is completed and look for any night‑time visibility complaints in the service history.
Seat belt D‑ring bolt installation (select 2024–2025 builds)
What happened: A 2025 campaign covered roughly 500 Rivian vehicles (R1S and R1T) where the front seat belt D‑ring bolts may not have been properly torqued during assembly. A 2026 campaign expanded seat belt retractor concerns to a few hundred more R1S units.
- If not secured correctly, seat belts might not restrain occupants as designed in a crash.
- Owners might hear a rattling noise from the B‑pillar/retractor area.
What to check: Verify all seat belt‑related recalls are closed, and physically check belt operation and noises on a test drive.
Missing airbag warning label (2024)
What happened: Some 2024 R1S and R1T models left the factory without required dashboard airbag warning labels. While this doesn’t affect how the airbag performs, it violates federal labeling rules.
- Primarily a compliance/safety‑information issue.
- Rivian’s fix is to install the proper label set.
What to check: On a used R1S, make sure the passenger‑side dashboard label is present and legible.
Other hardware and early‑production issues
Early R1S builds, especially 2022 models, have seen recalls typical of any all‑new vehicle platform:
- Fasteners on suspension or steering components needing re‑torque or replacement.
- Door, hatch, or seat hardware that might not meet spec.
- Various calibration or sealing issues discovered after vehicles reached customers.
These are generally one‑time fixes completed at a Rivian Service Center. On a used R1S, you mainly want confirmation that they’ve already been addressed.
EDV seat belt recall does not affect R1S
In late 2025, Rivian also recalled tens of thousands of Electric Delivery Vans (EDVs), most used by Amazon, to address a seat belt pretensioner cable that could be damaged by misuse.
That campaign covers commercial vans only, not the consumer R1S SUV or R1T pickup. It’s useful context when reading headlines, but it shouldn’t impact your evaluation of an R1S.
The good news on R1S recalls
Software vs. hardware recalls on the R1S
Not all recalls are equal. On the Rivian R1S, the mix of **software‑only campaigns** and **traditional hardware repairs** matters a lot when you’re shopping used.
Two types of R1S recalls you’ll see
Understanding the difference helps you interpret a Carfax or service history correctly.
Software‑only recalls
- Common for driver‑assistance (Highway Assist), infotainment, and some lighting logic.
- Fixed via over‑the‑air update while the R1S sits at home.
- Typically low inconvenience and no physical parts to wear out later.
What to do: Confirm the vehicle is on current software and that recall campaigns show as completed in Rivian’s app or service records.
Hardware or mixed recalls
- Cover seat belts, airbags, suspension, steering, body hardware, and some lighting modules.
- Usually require a Rivian Service Center or mobile service visit.
- Can indicate that early hardware designs were improved later.
What to do: Ask for documentation of completed repairs, and test‑drive the R1S to confirm there are no remaining symptoms (rattles, warning lights, steering wander, etc.).
Don’t ignore safety‑critical hardware recalls
How to check if a Rivian R1S has open recalls
Before you sign paperwork on any Rivian R1S, new or used, take five minutes to check its VIN for recall campaigns. The process is simple, and it works the same whether you’re buying from Rivian, a traditional dealer, or a peer‑to‑peer marketplace.
Step‑by‑step: Checking a Rivian R1S for open recalls
1. Locate the VIN
On an R1S, you’ll find the 17‑digit VIN on the lower driver‑side windshield, on the driver‑side door jamb label, and in the vehicle’s digital menus. If you’re shopping online, the seller should publish or share it on request.
2. Run the VIN through NHTSA
Visit the official U.S. NHTSA recall lookup site and enter the VIN. It will show any **open safety recalls** that still need attention. Closed recalls may not appear, so you’ll still want service records for the full picture.
3. Check Rivian’s own recall/Service page
Rivian maintains its own recall and service information. If you already own the R1S, you can often see campaigns in your app or account. For a used vehicle, a Rivian advisor can confirm whether any work is outstanding.
4. Ask for printed service history
Whether the R1S is coming from Rivian, a franchise dealer, or a used‑EV specialist like <strong>Recharged</strong>, ask for a service history printout. Look for line items explicitly referencing recalls, campaign codes, or specific fixes (seat belt bolts, headlight modules, etc.).
5. Confirm software is up to date
On the center screen, check software version and last update date. For 2025 R1S models especially, make sure the vehicle is past the Highway Assist recall software version.
6. Test‑drive with recalls in mind
During your drive, pay attention to seat belt noises, airbag or seat‑occupancy warnings, headlight behavior in low light, and any steering or suspension quirks that could relate to prior campaigns.
Pro move for private‑party sales
Buying a used Rivian R1S: what recalls should you verify?
Recalls shouldn’t automatically scare you away from a used R1S. But they should shape your **inspection checklist** and your expectations about early EV ownership. Here’s how to prioritize what you verify, based on the model year you’re shopping.
Shopping a 2022 R1S
- Focus on early hardware campaigns covering steering, suspension, and body hardware.
- Check for seat‑related and seat‑belt‑related fixes.
- Expect several recall entries in the history, that’s normal for a launch year.
Shopping a 2023–2024 R1S
- Confirm completion of any seat belt or occupant‑detection recalls.
- On 2024 models, make sure the front passenger airbag warning label is present.
- Software should be current; ask about any lingering warning messages.
Shopping a 2025–2026 R1S
- Verify the Hands‑Free Highway Assist software recall is closed.
- Ask about the headlight cold‑weather campaign and confirm night visibility.
- Seat belt D‑ring and retractor campaigns should show as completed if the VIN is affected.
Don’t rely on Carfax alone
How Recharged handles Rivian R1S recalls and safety
If you’re looking at a used R1S from **Recharged**, recalls and battery health aren’t afterthoughts, they’re central to how we evaluate and price every vehicle we list.
Our process for recalled and repaired used EVs
What happens before a Rivian R1S ever appears on Recharged.
1. VIN‑level recall scan
Before we acquire or list a Rivian R1S, we run its VIN through recall databases to identify any **open safety campaigns**.
- Open recalls are addressed with the seller or corrected before sale whenever possible.
- We note any recent campaigns that were just completed so you know the vehicle’s history.
2. Recharged Score battery and health diagnostics
Every R1S sold through Recharged includes a Recharged Score Report, our battery‑health and condition assessment.
- Verified battery state‑of‑health and DC fast‑charging profile.
- Checks for warning messages or faults that could be related to past recalls.
- Context on how recall fixes and software updates interact with real‑world range.
3. Hardware inspection and road test
Our EV‑specialist partners inspect and drive each R1S with recalls in mind:
- Seat belt mounting points, retractors, and warning chimes.
- Headlights and exterior lighting performance.
- Steering, suspension, and any abnormal noises near known recall areas.
4. Transparent documentation for buyers
When you shop an R1S on Recharged, you get the story behind the car:
- Open vs. completed recalls summarized in plain language.
- Service records attached whenever available.
- EV‑specialist support to explain what those records actually mean.
Need help decoding a recall history?
Rivian R1S recalls list: FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Rivian R1S recalls
Bottom line: Should recalls scare you away from an R1S?
Rivian’s R1S has accumulated a growing list of recalls as the company scales production and expands features like Hands‑Free Highway Assist. That puts it in the same category as many newer EVs: **high‑tech, rapidly evolving, and still working through first‑generation bugs**. For a used‑EV shopper, the smart move isn’t to walk away, it’s to demand transparency.
If you verify that **every recall on the Rivian R1S recalls list is properly closed**, confirm that the software is current, and pair that with objective battery‑health data, an R1S can be a compelling and capable electric SUV. Working with a specialist platform like Recharged, where each vehicle includes a Recharged Score Report, recall checks, EV‑savvy support, and options for financing, trade‑in, and nationwide delivery, makes it much easier to separate the well‑sorted R1S from the ones that still need work.
