Rivian R1T Gen1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Rivian R1T Gen1 arrived in 2022 as the first electric pickup from a California startup that showed up with plenty of capital and even more ambition. The concept still holds up: a genuine adventure truck with air suspension, adjustable ride height, real water-fording ability, and performance that leaves every combustion pickup looking slow. As a premium electric adventure vehicle, the R1T had essentially no competition in the US market. Anyone who drives one gets a thoughtful, surprisingly finished-feeling machine. The catch lives under the skin: Gen1 is an early effort with the classic teething troubles of a young manufacturer.
On the drivetrain side, buyers got the Quad-Motor with four electric machines and roughly 835 hp, or the Dual-Motor with two machines. From a shop perspective, the Dual is clearly the smarter pick: fewer components, fewer control units, less to go wrong. Both, however, share the same serious issue, complete drive unit failures including the inverter, often with no warning. Then there is the dreaded 12V problem: if the small battery drains too far, the vehicle sits completely dead and cannot even be unlocked. The high-voltage distribution unit can also trigger a sudden loss of drive power. These are not minor annoyances but potentially stranding faults.
On top of that come vehicle-level weaknesses worth knowing. The air suspension collapses on some examples from around 60,000 mi, often right after the warranty expires, and the repair is expensive. Front halfshafts clunk and click on takeoff and in corners, the most commonly reported mechanical complaint. Clogged HVAC condensate drains send water into the footwell, sometimes with mold. Add uneven panel gaps on early builds, a sticking charge port actuator, a failure-prone powered tonneau cover, and regularly freezing infotainment displays. Several NHTSA recalls cover the steering knuckle fastener, the rear tie rod, and accelerator pedal detection.
For a used purchase, insist on valid drivetrain warranty coverage, because an out-of-warranty drive unit swap wrecks the math. Check every open recall by VIN and ask about the 12V history, ideally with a documented battery replacement. Service records for the air suspension and software updates are worth their weight in gold. Honest verdict: a fascinating, genuinely capable vehicle with real character, but Gen1 is early-phase technology. Recommendable only with airtight warranty protection and a healthy dose of realism.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Rivian R1T Gen1 is available with 3 engine variants — from 533 to 835 hp.
The first-generation quad drivetrain pairs four individually controlled e-motors (two per axle, partly Bosch-sourced units) for roughly 835 hp and brutal torque vectoring. Acceleration and traction are exceptional, but the early drive units are the weak point: inverter and motor defects triggered replacements, sometimes more than once on the same vehicle. Reliability improved across software and hardware revisions. Buying tip: only purchase with intact drivetrain and high-voltage warranty and check service history for replaced drive units. Never leave the vehicle sitting discharged for weeks.
- !! Drive unit failure (motor/inverter) from 40,000 km
Early drive units failed via inverter or motor defects, often sudden loss of power up to standstill. Rivian replaced affected units, sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle, usually under warranty.
Symptoms: Reduced power or drivetrain fault warning, jerky loss of power, vehicle coasts to a stop, needs towing, grinding or whining noise before failure. - !! 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle from 20,000 km
The 12V batteries deep-discharge when parked long or on faults, leaving the vehicle completely dead. Neither frunk nor doors open electrically, requiring emergency mechanical releases and a wheel-well cable.
Symptoms: Vehicle unresponsive, no wake via app or key, doors and frunk electrically locked, 12V battery low warning, mechanical emergency release needed. - !! Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution from 30,000 km
A poorly grounded or disturbed connection in the high-voltage distribution box or drivetrain harness can cause abrupt, warningless loss of drive power and safety system failure while driving.
Symptoms: Vehicle loses drive without warning while moving, Limited Performance Mode warning, restart sometimes needed, multiple seemingly unrelated fault messages at once.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The first-generation dual drivetrain uses two e-motors, one per axle, for confident all-wheel thrust with less complexity than the quad. In practice it shows similar drive-unit failures as the quad, statistically roughly as often across the whole vehicle but with fewer units per car and thus a smaller attack surface. Reliability grew across revisions. Buying tip: intact drivetrain and high-voltage warranty plus service history are essential, avoid 12V deep discharge from long parking, and check winter charging behavior and wheel bearing noise before purchase.
- !! Drive unit failure (motor/inverter) from 45,000 km
The dual drivetrain also suffered drive unit failures via inverter or motor defects. Rivian replaced affected units, sometimes proactively or repeatedly, mostly under warranty including occasional battery replacement.
Symptoms: Reduced power or drivetrain fault warning, sudden loss of power up to standstill, towing needed, grinding or whining noise before failure. - !! 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle from 20,000 km
As on the quad, the 12V batteries deep-discharge on long parking or faults and fully immobilize the vehicle. Frunk and doors no longer open electrically, requiring mechanical emergency releases.
Symptoms: Vehicle unresponsive, no wake via app or key, doors and frunk locked, 12V battery low warning, mechanical emergency release needed. - !! Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution from 30,000 km
A poorly grounded connection in the high-voltage distribution box or drive harness can cause abrupt loss of drive without warning while moving. Affects 2021 to 2024, sometimes dropping into reduced-power turtle mode.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of drive while moving, Limited Performance or turtle mode warning, severe power reduction in cold, multiple fault messages at once.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The first-generation dual drivetrain uses two e-motors, one per axle, for confident all-wheel thrust with less complexity than the quad. In practice it shows similar drive-unit failures as the quad, statistically roughly as often across the whole vehicle but with fewer units per car and thus a smaller attack surface. Reliability grew across revisions. Buying tip: intact drivetrain and high-voltage warranty plus service history are essential, avoid 12V deep discharge from long parking, and check winter charging behavior and wheel bearing noise before purchase.
- !! Drive unit failure (motor/inverter) from 45,000 km
The dual drivetrain also suffered drive unit failures via inverter or motor defects. Rivian replaced affected units, sometimes proactively or repeatedly, mostly under warranty including occasional battery replacement.
Symptoms: Reduced power or drivetrain fault warning, sudden loss of power up to standstill, towing needed, grinding or whining noise before failure. - !! 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle from 20,000 km
As on the quad, the 12V batteries deep-discharge on long parking or faults and fully immobilize the vehicle. Frunk and doors no longer open electrically, requiring mechanical emergency releases.
Symptoms: Vehicle unresponsive, no wake via app or key, doors and frunk locked, 12V battery low warning, mechanical emergency release needed. - !! Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution from 30,000 km
A poorly grounded connection in the high-voltage distribution box or drive harness can cause abrupt loss of drive without warning while moving. Affects 2021 to 2024, sometimes dropping into reduced-power turtle mode.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of drive while moving, Limited Performance or turtle mode warning, severe power reduction in cold, multiple fault messages at once.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Air suspension collapse — expensive after warranty Well-documented issue emerging around 60,000 miles, frequently just after warranty expiry. Rivian service centers have acknowledged it as a 'common issue'. Out-of-warranty repair cost: $3,500-7,500. Air bags, compressor, or valve block may be involved. No broad service campaign — individual repairs only. Symptoms: Vehicle sags at one corner, air suspension warning, permanently harsh ride, unable to adjust ride height from 80,000 km | High | |
| Front halfshaft clunk and clicking noise The most widely reported mechanical complaint on Gen1 trucks. Clunking or clicking on initial acceleration, during turns, or transitioning from acceleration to regeneration. Primarily affects 2022-2023 builds. Rivian has revised parts; warranty repairs are standard. Out-of-warranty: $400-1,800 depending on the affected component (halfshaft, hub, subframe). Symptoms: Clunking or clicking from front wheels at low speed or during turns, vibration when entering regeneration from 40,000 km | Medium |
Test Reports
Consumer Reports
R1T reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
2024-01Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 22 weaknesses have been documented for the Rivian R1T Gen1 (2021–2024) — 12 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: R1-Quad-Gen1 (Electric Motor (Quad, Gen1)), R1-Dual-Gen1 (Electric Motor (Dual, Gen1)). Typical issues affect Suspension, Other, HVAC, Body.
R1T (R1-Quad-Gen1, 2021–2024) — Stay Away!: Drive unit failure (motor/inverter), 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle, Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution. Power: 835 PS.
R1T (R1-Dual-Gen1, 2023–2024) — Stay Away!: Drive unit failure (motor/inverter), 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle, Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution. Power: 533 PS.
R1T (R1-Dual-Gen1, 2023–2024) — Stay Away!: Drive unit failure (motor/inverter), 12V battery deep discharge, dead vehicle, Sudden power loss high-voltage distribution. Power: 665 PS.
What to watch out for with the Rivian R1T? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Rivian R1T Gen1 have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee