Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2024 R1 vehicles that may have ultrasonic sensors detached from the front fascia mounting area. After detachment, the ultrasonic sensor may become dislodged and hang inside the front fascia, causing customer notifications for sensor issues and potential sensor damage. Upon ultrasonic sensor detachment, Rivian will perform an ultrasonic sensor repair to secure the sensor to the front fascia.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Rivian R1S electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Rivian R1S have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 R1S (this page) | 13 |
| 2025 R1S | 6 |
2crashes
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2023-2025 R1T and R1S vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formatted solid state drive (SSD) for storing camera recordings. This improper formatting prevents video recording of driving incidents and Motion Cam, which is part of the vehicle's Gear Guard system. Rivian will properly format the SSD. Rivian is launching this campaign for customer satisfaction and to ensure the quality of Rivian vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2022-2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that may have been built with the incorrect interior audio amplifier. On these vehicles, a firmware update may cause the audio system to stop working. Rivian will replace the interior audio amplifier. Rivian is launching this campaign for customer satisfaction and to ensure the quality of Rivian vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗4/24/2024 Rivian Vehicle Connectivity Outage SMS Renotification Reminder from Rivian. We noticed your vehicle is still offline. To restore connectivity, simply restart your vehicleâs software: - Make sure your vehicle is in Park - Find the two outermost control buttons on the steering wheel - Press both buttons at the same time and hold for 15 seconds. For an illustrated guide, visit our Support Center: https://rivn.co/connectivity
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On Friday, March 22, 2024, an outage affected Rivian vehicle connectivity. The outage was resolved that same day, but some vehicles may require an infotainment reset to restore full connectivity 3/22/2024 Rivian Vehicle Connectivity Outage SMS Notification After a recent network outage that impacted connectivity on some Rivian vehicles, we noticed your vehicle is still offline. To restore connectivity, simply restart your vehicleâs software: - Make sure your vehicle is in Park - Find the two outermost control buttons on the steering wheel - Press both buttons at the same time and hold for 15 seconds. For an illustrated guide, visit our Support Center: https://rivn.co/connectivity
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of electrical and software failures creating serious safety hazards. The most alarming are sudden unintended acceleration events where the vehicle lunges forward without driver input, including a collision in traffic and a garage impact that destroyed a home. Multiple owners describe abrupt, unwanted shifts to Park while driving, leaving the vehicle stranded in traffic lanes and risking rear-end collisions.
Battery and electrical system faults have left vehicles completely dead—no lights, no hazard warnings, no power to locks or windows—stranding owners and blocking roadways. Several owners report the airbag system repeatedly failing after multiple repair attempts including steering wheel, wiring harness, seat, and module replacements, yet the fault persists.
Software updates (particularly version 2023.42) have disabled critical vehicle screens, infotainment, windshield wipers, exterior lights, and safety driver aids. One owner reports the horn became inaudible after an update, with Rivian claiming it's intentional cost-cutting. An HVAC system failure involved water intrusion and an internal short circuit requiring replacement. Owners report poor communication from Rivian during incidents and lengthy delays getting service appointments for critical safety recalls.
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle lurches forward without driver input while stopped or moving slowly, overriding brake input. In one case accelerator felt uncontrollable even after foot was released; in another, vehicle continued pushing despite multiple brake pumps, traveling ~30 feet and striking multiple vehicles and structures.
When: Incidents reported during drive-through ordering, in driveway pulling slowly forward
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward unexpectedly; Brakes ineffective or unresponsive; Loss of control despite foot off accelerator or on brake; Vehicle continues at high speed through obstacle
Abrupt Unintended Shift to Park While Driving
Vehicle automatically shifts into Park while slowing down or in traffic, without driver action. One owner reported 30-35 minutes unable to shift back to Drive despite hard and soft resets while on phone with service. Issue recurred multiple times for that owner over months.
When: At stop signs, in stop-and-go traffic in Seattle days after delivery (June), again in July at border crossing
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt automatic shift to Park while decelerating; Vehicle stalls or becomes immobilized in traffic; Unable to shift back to Drive for extended period (30+ minutes reported); Multiple occurrences over time
Repairs/costs cited: Eventually shifted back after repeated brake applications and resets; owner dropped vehicle for service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Rivian investigating per owner; other Reddit users reported same issue
Complete Electrical System Failure
Vehicle loses all electrical power—screens black, hazard lights non-functional, windows down and locked, doors unlocked, no power to compartments. Vehicle became immobilized in roadway, requiring police intervention and towing.
When: Mid-afternoon incident (4:30 PM reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power; Dashboard screens black/inoperable; Hazard lights non-functional; All power locks and windows disabled; Vehicle immobilized in traffic lane
Codes mentioned: Critical Battery Issue, Electrical Hazard Possible, Coming to emergency stop soon
Repairs/costs cited: Police towed vehicle after Rivian unable to arrange timely tow; Rivian did not pick up from yard until 11:30 AM next day
Airbag System Repeated Failure
Airbag warning light appears repeatedly. Owner reported five separate failures requiring multiple repair attempts: steering wheel replacement, wiring harness replacement, front seat replacement, seatbelt control module replacement, and airbag module replacement. Issue recurred despite each repair.
When: Starting July 2025, recurring monthly through at least November
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag error on display; Airbag warning alert reappearing
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel replaced (August), wiring harness replaced, front seats replaced, seatbelt control modules replaced, airbag module replaced; issue persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs attempted but unsuccessful in resolving root cause
Software Update Disables Infotainment and Safety Systems
OTA software update (version 2023.42/2023.42.0) rendered driver information screens, infotainment screens, and safety systems non-functional. HVAC also disabled. Owners report screens black, unable to access vehicle settings, and uncertainty about which safety features remain operational.
When: Update pushed evening of 11/13/2023; issue discovered 11/14/2023
Symptoms owners cite: Driver information screen non-functional; Infotainment screen black or non-responsive; Driver safety aids disabled; Exterior lights cannot be turned on or off; Windshield wipers cannot be controlled; HVAC non-functional; Cameras non-working; Vehicle speedometer not visible
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle drivable but settings inaccessible; no formal repair timeline provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VP of software development posted on Reddit evening of 11/14/2023; Rivian stated team working on resolution; no formal notification to owners for 16+ hours after problem became known; stated vehicle can be driven without working systems
Horn Audio Disabled After Software Update
After software update, horn became inaudible. Owner reports Rivian stated this is intentional cost-cutting design with no fix available.
When: Following software update
Symptoms owners cite: Horn not audible or extremely quiet when activated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Rivian states this is intentional cost-cutting design with no fix required
HVAC System Water Intrusion and Internal Short Circuit
HVAC system developed internal short circuit due to water intrusion or condensation. Electrical System Fault message displayed during driving. Dealer diagnosed need for full HVAC system replacement.
When: Failure at 69,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical System Fault message with water fording warning displayed while driving; HVAC system malfunction
Codes mentioned: Electrical System Fault
Repairs/costs cited: HVAC system replacement required; vehicle not repaired per report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Ineffective Airbag Deployment During Impact
Vehicle crashed into garage wall and through concrete/stucco with significant impact force, but airbags did not deploy. Vehicle collision detection system also failed to record impact properly.
When: During sudden unintended acceleration incident in driveway
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy despite severe impact; Collision detection/recording system failed to record impact
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle possibly unsalvageable; now at service center
Delayed Service Response to Critical Safety Recalls
Owner received critical safety recall notification (side airbags) on June 14 but could not schedule mobile service until August 26—over 60 days later. Additionally reported multiple system failures on July 6 with service ticket created but no response from Rivian as of complaint date.
When: Recall notified June 14; service scheduled August 26; additional failures July 6
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple system failures notification on July 6 display; No response to service ticket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Critical safety recall (side airbags); 60+ day delay in scheduling mobile service technician; unresponsive to system failure service ticket
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Rivian released a software update that bricked my vehicle. It is drivable but the infotainment screen and safety features are inaccessible. It is unclear what features work and which ones do not. Rivian has only released limited information on Reddit, and there has been no other formal communication to impacted owners. Customer service said it was aware and that the team was working on a…
Software update rolled out version 2023.42.0 and now the vehicle screen is black and HVAC does not work. It is unclear if any safety or airbag systems are operational. Cameras not working.
Rivian pushed a software update to owners on the evening of 11/13/2023. This update made the driver information and infotainment screens non-functional and also disabled all driver saftey aids and any ability to turn exterior lights or windshield wipers off or on. As of 11:24 am CST on 11/14/2023, owners have still not been officially notified or provided any status updates aside from a reddit…
OTA update 2023.42 failed to install and left car without working screens, the only way to really manage the vehicle's settings. No formal communication until mid-afternoon next day, approximately 16+ hours after problem became known. Rivian stating vehicle can be driven without speedometer and working systems.
Stopped at McDonalds drive through waiting to order with my foot on the brake and the vehicle lunged forward rearending the car stopped 5 feet in front of me ordering. I was trying to brake but it kept pushing the car in front of me then careened to the right hitting a sign and a parked car. I kept pumping the brakes and I thought it was going to run into a building when the vehicle finally…
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 Rivian R1S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 Rivian R1S?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 69,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Rivian/R1S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.