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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Rivian R1S2022–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚙 SUV
Rivian R1S
2022–2026
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
5.0/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Moderate
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation
Preliminary Evaluation: suspension
30% of PE investigations historically become recalls
25
Recalls
0
Complaints
2023
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2022
5
Years Analyzed
25
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Rivian R1S

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK2yr old
2024
Good Buy · 70/100
Reliability72/100
Value window67/100
Recalls4
Complaints0

Rivian R1S Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2022

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2025

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2023

5 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the R1S became recall.

OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened May 2026NHTSA #PE26004
rear toe link may separate
Component: suspension:rear · affects 2022–2025
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
Recently concluded investigations
DP22005 · electrical system · closed Aug 2023→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 11, 2026.

Rivian R1S — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202620——
77
39
64
Good
202570——
61
54
59
Avoid
202440——
72
67
70
Caution
202350——
68
77
71
Avoid
202270——
61
84
69
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the R1S compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2023 (Buyer Score 71).

Best: 2023
2023 · 712024 · 702022 · 692026 · 642025 · 59

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year R1S to buy?+

The 2024 Rivian R1S scores highest on our Buyer Score (70/100) — combining a reliability score of 72/100 with a value score of 67/100. It has 4 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which R1S years have the most problems?+

The 2022, 2025, 2023 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2022 R1S leads with 7 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common R1S problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Rivian R1S.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every R1S year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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