Rivian Adventure Quad
Four Bosch-designed permanent magnet AC motors, one per wheel, 623 kW combined. Each pair — front 309 kW / 560 N·m, rear 310 kW / 671 N·m — runs through separate ZF single-speed gearboxes. True per-wheel torque vectoring with millisecond slip detection: the system reads each wheel independently and redistributes torque before a slide develops, not after. No center diff, no Torsen, no transfer case — the software is the drivetrain. Early 12V auxiliary battery was the chronic failure point: constant system wakefulness drained it overnight, stranding owners. Addressed via OTA deep-sleep mode in 2023 and service campaign RCA-26-24-002-1. Drive unit failure rate (~12% per owner polls) is the unavoidable asterisk — Bosch motors, gearboxes, and inverters come as a sealed assembly, replacement costs $4,000–12,000. Covered under 8-year/175,000-mile powertrain warranty. Gen1 trucks from 2021–2022 carry the most early-production exposure.
Seven seats. Three rows. 835 hp.
The R1S sits heavier than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, seats two more people, fords 43 inches of water, and out-accelerates anything in its segment. Tesla Model X Plaid does 0-60 in 2.5 sec but can't ford a river or sleep six on a campsite. The R1S does both. Per-wheel torque vectoring on a full-size SUV means the chassis actually rotates into corners rather than pushing wide. Early build quality was rough — panel gaps and software bugs were widespread on 2022 production — but the platform itself is genuinely capable. No electric SUV available at launch matched this combination of seating, range, off-road depth, and straight-line pace.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Forum polls document roughly 12% drive unit failure rate among Gen1 Quad Motor owners. Bosch-supplied motors, gearboxes, and inverters come as a complete assembly — Rivian replaces the whole package. Turnaround 1-2 weeks, loaner provided. Covered under 8-year/175,000-mile powertrain warranty. Multiple owners report needing a second replacement of the same unit.
Symptoms: Warning message on display, speed limited to 40-42 mph, loss of power on one axle
Primarily affects 2021-2023 builds. The 12V battery drained overnight due to constant system wakefulness, leaving owners with a dead vehicle in the morning. Rivian addressed this in 2023 via OTA update (deep sleep mode) and service campaign RCA-26-24-002-1 (proactive battery replacement). Aftermarket fix: Ohmmu lithium 12V battery. Replacement cost $150-500.
Symptoms: Vehicle won't start after parking overnight, 12V dead despite full main battery, low voltage warning
Early owner reports show modest single-digit percentage degradation after 60,000-80,000 miles — unremarkable for a young vehicle. Samsung 2170 cells in the Max pack (149 kWh). Full pack replacement is extremely expensive and rarely needed. Routine charging to 80-90% extends longevity. No widespread battery pack failures documented.
Symptoms: Gradually decreasing displayed maximum range, reduced charge rate at high or low state of charge
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
Same issue as R1T. Air bags or compressor fail around 60,000 miles. Vehicle sags at one corner. Out-of-warranty repair: $3,500-7,500. Service centers confirm this as a known issue.
Same recall as R1T (October 2022). Upper control arm connection may not be properly torqued. Rivian inspects and re-torques at no cost.
Same recall as R1T. 19,641 vehicles total (R1T + R1S). Free repair by Rivian.
Same issue as R1T. Blocked HVAC condensate drain. Documented with mold growth and in one case complete vehicle bricking from electrical water contact. Service campaign RCA-26-24-002-1 addresses the problem.
Same recall as R1T. 7,873 vehicles (R1T + R1S) affected. Fixed via OTA and free physical pedal replacement.
Same platform as R1T, same issue. Clunking or clicking from front on low-speed acceleration or turns. Rivian has revised parts. Under warranty not a problem; afterward $400-1,800.
Same QC issue as R1T, particularly on early deliveries 2022-2023. Door gaps and tailgate alignment sometimes unacceptable for the price point. Improved manufacturing quality from 2023.
Same issue as R1T. Clip disengages, door jams. DIY fix possible or warranty-covered repair at service center.
Liftgate opens a crack, beeps, and closes again. Occurs more often when parked nose-downhill. Software recalibration can help. Mechanical failures: $200-1,200 out of warranty.
Same software instability issues as R1T. Consumer Reports rates software reliability as below average on both models. OTA updates resolve most bugs but fix windows can stretch weeks.
Reports & Tests
R1S reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
Top Reported Issues
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All Rivian models R1S Gen1 overview