2022 Rivian R1T Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 R1T most often report problems with the hydraulic/air suspension, driver-assistance behavior such as phantom braking, and 12-volt/electrical faults that can leave the truck immobilized. Many complaints cluster at higher mileage (roughly 30,000 to well over 100,000 miles), and several describe failures that appear suddenly while driving, while others describe gradual noises, leaks, or sensor quirks present from early ownership.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Hydraulic/air suspension leaks and collapses

   • 12 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 4.3 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe hydraulic fluid leaks at the dampers or lines, warning messages such as "Service Suspension Soon" or reduced speed, and in some cases the truck dropping onto its bump stops while driving. Complaints also mention repeated replacements of the same components, chirping or squeaking over uneven surfaces, and handling that becomes difficult to control under acceleration. Several reports say the dealer replaced parts, sometimes under warranty, but did not always explain the cause. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, from under 70,000 to about 114,000 miles, often during normal on-road driving.

   Recall 26V003000Recall 22V7440003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether dampers, hydraulic lines, or suspension components have been replaced, and listen for chirps or squeaks over bumps during a test drive. Check for warning messages on the display and inspect under the wheel wells for fluid residue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger front suspension failure due to failed hydraulic pump (at 67k miles), resulting in wheels rubbing against interior, making vehicle almost inoperable without placing occupants at risk. It was immediate and without warning inside vehicle. When I spoke with technician they informed me that it was occasionally reported in earlier models. I was unable to view component.”

   NHTSA complaint #11730236, filed 2026-04

   “Was driving through an intersection in traffic when I heard a loud explosion/metal-on-metal sound from the front drivers side of the vehicle. Instantly received two warnings in the IP; one for Performance Limited and the other for Service Suspension Soon . The IP also stated speed was limited to 80MPH. I didn't notice any difference in driving but decided to pull over and check. Upon checking I identified a hydraulic suspension line completely disconnected and leaking hydraulic fluid in the front driver side wheel well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11543893, filed 2023-09
2. 2
   Electrical system

   12-volt and electrical shutdowns

   • 22 complaints (31%)
   • typically at 3.9 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the truck shutting down or going into a limited-power mode with multiple warnings, sometimes after a charging session or an over-the-air update, and in some cases requiring a tow. Complaints mention premature 12-volt battery replacement, a burnt electrical smell traced to condensation from the air conditioner reaching heater components, and screens or cameras going dark or freezing. Service centers reportedly replaced batteries, modules, or the high-voltage heater. Spread across the sample from low mileage to roughly 30,000 miles for repeat battery replacements, with several failures occurring without prior warning.

   Recall 23V783000Recall 23V8830004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask when the 12-volt batteries were last replaced and whether the HVAC drain campaign was completed, and check service history for infotainment or module replacements.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck without warning, suddenly stopped and I was on one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles at an intersection, blocking a large amount of traffic and too dangerous to get out due to cars rapidly passing. Called Rivian support and they said it would take. two hours to get a tow truck to me even though AAA was only 20 min away, they would not call AAA. I was at risk of being rear ended. Fire department came and was able to move car to side of road. Rivian gave no assistance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11490062, filed 2022-10

   “Critical battery issue, made the truck inoperable and stuck in my garage. Rivian replaced the main battery pack and the drained 12v batteries. One day after getting the truck back while I was driving, the truck motors stopped in a jarring fashion in the middle of dark one lane road. Error message said motor failure. Then got the same critical battery issue. Once the main battery dies it drains the 12v batteries; thereby, turning off the emergency lights. There is a major issue with the battery packs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11531138, filed 2023-07
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering and toe-link issues

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 33,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe a loose or unresponsive steering wheel at low speed, pulling to one side that wears tires quickly, and a snapped or bent rear toe link or tie rod that left the truck unable to steer properly. Some owners report the dealer was initially unable to duplicate the problem, while others were told bolts had been tightened or parts replaced. Reported at mileages around 12,000 to 54,000 in the sample, often during turns or at highway speeds.

   Recall 26V003000Recall 22V7440001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the toe-link and front upper control arm fastener recalls have been completed, and have an alignment and tire-wear inspection done, checking inner and outer edges of all tires.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving about 35-40mpg when the right rear toe link snapped due to inproper torquing. I believe the bolt had backed out then snapped. When I contacted rivian they initially blamed me for it before even in before inspecting the vehicle. Once they inspected it they stated it would be covered under warranty. There was no paint on the bolt to show proper torque had been applied. Which is a standard process for rivian. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11691374, filed 2025-10

   “The inner left tie rod in my truck bent and then completely snapped while I was backing out of my driveway. The tie rods are available for inspection. I was unable to steer the vehicle after the tie rod broke, and the vehicle was unable to reverse or move forward. I could've crashed on the side of the road had I gone at higher speeds. The problem has not been reproduced, but has been confirmed at the Rivian service center. The vehicle and components have been inspected by a Rivian service technician. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11520686, filed 2023-05
4. 4
   Forward collision avoidance

   Phantom braking and adaptive cruise gaps

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 2.0 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the truck braking unexpectedly on rural two-lane roads, in curves, or when passing parked vehicles and trailers, and describe cruise control sometimes losing track of the vehicle ahead and accelerating. Others describe the system reacting to oncoming traffic or failing to slow as expected. Complaints note that a reset or software update sometimes helped temporarily, and some owners were told the behavior was under review. Mostly described on rural and two-lane roads and on highway bends, without a clear mileage pattern in the sample.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Try adaptive cruise control on a mix of highway curves and two-lane roads during a test drive, and ask the dealer whether latest driver-assistance software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Initially, my instrument screen on my vehicle went black and stopped working. I had to drive roughly 10 miles home without the use of my speedometer. After replacing the AXM module, the cruise control and lane-keeping functions intermittently stop working. The vehicle was at the service center on and off for 57 days before it was returned to me without a resolution. I’m told this issue is affecting 30 vehicles in the Rivian fleet; however, they don't yet have a permanent fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11715815, filed 2026-02

   “When towing a trailer with my Rivian R1T on interstate 75 I set my cruise control while going with the speed of traffic at approximately 60 mph. Instead of cruise control setting at the speed I was traveling, it instead sets at the posted speed limit. In most conditions, this wouldn't create a hazard as adaptive cruise control would keep the vehicle from accelerating more than the speed the vehicle directly in front of me is going. But when towing a trailer, the R1T disables the adaptive part of cruise control as well as emergency braking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11572668, filed 2024-02
5. 5
   Air bags

   Front passenger airbag not detecting smaller occupants

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 1.5 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners report the front passenger airbag indicator showing off for occupants weighing roughly 109 to 135 pounds, and say repeated service visits did not produce a fix. Complaints describe being told the occupant classification system was operating as designed and that a future software update might address it. Described as present since delivery and recurring on trips, without a clear mileage pattern in the sample.

   Recall 22V319000Recall 23V109000

   What to check: Before buying, have a smaller occupant sit in the passenger seat and confirm the airbag indicator reads on, and ask whether the occupant classification recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife weights 109lbs and the passenger airbag turns off regularly. This was reported to Rivian back in July 2022 and there hasn't been a fix provided. I can share a picture of both her in the seat and the airbag light off if this is an option. I'm hearing it reported by other Rivian owners.”

   NHTSA complaint #11511947, filed 2023-03

   “The front passenger seat sensor does not respond to a 135lb 5’9” person resulting in the airbag being disabled. This has been an issue since we purchased the vehicle and has not been resolved with 4+ visits to the service center. No other vehicles we have driven have ever had this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11641528, filed 2025-02

Buying note. These trucks are complex machines, so a pre-purchase review of service history matters: confirm which recalls were done, whether suspension and 12-volt components were replaced, and how the adaptive cruise control behaves in curves. A test drive over uneven roads and a check of tire wear will surface several of the issues owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.