Know Your Truck

2022–2026 Rivian R1T common problems and fixes

Owners most often report the passenger air bag turning itself off for lighter adults, early-truck software glitches and dead 12-volt batteries, and suspension recalls on 2022 trucks.

What owners should know

Covers 2022–2026 · Electric (two, three or four motors) · Updated 2026-10-06

The R1T is Rivian's electric pickup, with two, three or four motors, an air suspension, and a gear tunnel storage space behind the cab.

We counted 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2022–2026 R1Ts (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once), all from trucks whose VIN shows an electric drivetrain or with no readable VIN (2); no complaints had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. 2022 has about half of them (67). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • The air bags are the most reported area: 24 complaints mention them, 18 describing the passenger air bag turning off.
  • 28 complaints mention software, updates or the screens, half from 2022.
  • A dead 12-volt battery can leave the truck unable to wake up.

Passenger air bag

18 complaints, mostly from 2022–2023 trucks, describe the passenger air bag turning itself off with a small adult in the seat. On Rivian Forums, owners report the seat sensor's threshold is set higher than on other vehicles. Rivian recalled 473 2022 trucks whose sensor might not turn the air bag off for a child (22V319000), and certain 2022 trucks whose passenger seat belt sensor could wrongly suppress the air bag (23V109000).

Recalls to check

  • Passenger air bag sensing on certain 2022 trucks (22V319000, 23V109000)
  • Front upper control arm bolt that may be loose on certain 2022 trucks (22V744000)
  • Accelerator pedal that may not detect release, so auto-hold or Park doesn't engage, on certain 2022 trucks (23V883000)
  • Seat belt anchors, D-ring bolts or retractor bolts on certain 2022–2025 trucks (22V641000, 25V370000, 26V009000)
  • Toe links that may have been reassembled incorrectly during service before March 10, 2025 (26V003000), and pillar trim clips damaged during service (24V408000)
  • High-voltage connection that can cause a loss of drive power on certain 2025 trucks (25V537000)
  • Software recalls for defroster controls (23V783000), Highway Assist (25V585000) and the rear camera image (26V597000)
  • Lights: headlight aim on certain 2023–2024 trucks (24V367000) and front turn signals on certain 2025–2026 trucks (25V387000, 26V508000)

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (22)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2022-2026 Rivian R1T. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Passenger air bag turns off for lighter adults

    Dealer job

    Signs: The "Passenger Airbag Off" light comes on with an adult of about 100–150 pounds in the seat, sometimes switching on and off during a drive.

    Fix: First check the VIN for recalls 22V319000 (certain 2022 trucks: occupant sensor; Rivian replaces the passenger seat) and 23V109000 (certain 2022 trucks: a faulty seat belt locking-retractor sensor can wrongly turn the air bag off; Rivian replaces parts as needed). Otherwise ask Rivian Service to test the seat's occupant sensor and seat belt sensor and recalibrate or replace them if they're faulty; on Rivian Forums, some owners were told it's working as designed.

  • Truck won't wake up (12-volt batteries)

    Dealer job

    Signs: The truck won't unlock or turn on and the screens stay dark, even with plenty of main battery charge.

    Fix: Have Rivian Service test the 12-volt batteries and make sure the truck has current software. On Rivian Forums, owners report Rivian replacing the 12-volt batteries, and some link the drain to a software update. Rivian's owner's guide (pages 270–272) says the truck has two 12-volt batteries; jump leads behind the trailer hitch cover let you unlock the doors and open the front trunk and charge port, and you should contact Rivian afterward to check the 12-volt system.

  • Front upper control arm bolt may be loose (2022)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Clunking from the front suspension or a change in alignment; in the worst case the steering knuckle can separate.

    Fix: Covered by Rivian recall 22V744000 on certain 2022 trucks: the dealer inspects the fastener between the upper control arm and steering knuckle and tightens it as needed. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V744000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →