Rivian Dual Performance
Two Rivian-designed Enduro motors — a 3-in-1 integrated unit combining rotor, stator, and inverter in a single housing. Rear unit uses a 13.7:1 gear ratio (vs. front 11:1) to bias torque rearward under load. The key engineering difference from Gen1 Quad: the Enduro has an integrated disconnect mechanism that decouples the front motor from the drivetrain during highway cruising. Back-EMF drag eliminated, efficiency up ~6–7%. Under 20 mph the front stays engaged for traction; above that, single-rear-motor unless throttle demand pulls it back. Silicon carbide power electronics on the front inverter add another 3.5% range improvement. Result: 352 miles EPA vs. the Quad's 328 — same chassis, more usable range. Dual Performance software unlock raises output to 496 kW without hardware changes. Drive unit failures less common than Gen1 Quad. 12V drain issue present in attenuated form.
665 hp seven-seater with a software receipt
496 kW in a three-row SUV, delivered via OTA unlock rather than a new build. The 3.5-second 0–60 time is quicker than any Porsche Cayenne of the same era. The front disconnect still operates for range efficiency. No other manufacturer has sold a 665 hp family SUV with this level of off-road software depth — Soft Sand, Rally, Drift modes — at a comparable price. The honest downside: software bugs and build quality on 2022–2023 R1S were Consumer Reports territory, not premium territory.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Less common than Quad Motor but documented. Same replacement process — complete unit swap. Identical symptom pattern: dashboard warning, speed restriction. Covered under warranty.
Symptoms: Drivetrain warning, power reduction, speed limitation
Attenuated version of the Quad Motor issue. 2023 OTA patch resolved most cases. Service campaign RCA-26-24-002-1 proactively replaces the battery.
Symptoms: Vehicle won't start, dead 12V battery
Same battery technology as Quad Motor. More efficient operation under lighter loads may slightly slow degradation. No specific battery pack failures documented.
Symptoms: Gradually decreasing maximum range, reduced charging rate
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