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.
OTA-unlocked 665 hp — no hardware changes
Rivian pushed a software update and turned a 533 hp truck into a 665 hp truck overnight. 496 kW, 0–60 in 3.5 seconds — that's supercar territory in a pickup body. Efficiency advantage over the Quad remains intact: front disconnect still works, range still beats the Quad. The honest assessment: the 0.5-second 0–60 gap versus the Quad is barely perceptible in real driving. What is perceptible is the smaller service bill and the longer range. Buy this unless the Rubicon or Pikes Peak is on the schedule.
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
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.
NHTSA Recall 22V-744 (October 2022) affects 2022 R1T and R1S. Nut connecting upper control arm to steering knuckle may not have been properly torqued. Can cause excess wheel camber or separation — increased crash risk. Rivian inspects and torques to spec at no charge.
Rivian recalled 19,641 vehicles (R1T + R1S, 2022-2025). Root cause: during suspension repairs before March 2025, the rear toe link joint could have been reassembled incorrectly. Separation causes loss of rear wheel control. One injury documented. Rivian replaces toe link bolts at no cost.
Clogged HVAC condensate drain plug routes water into the driver and passenger footwells instead of outside. Especially documented on Gen1 R1T. Service campaign RCA-26-24-002-1 replaces the drain plug proactively. If unaddressed: mold, odor, and in severe cases complete vehicle brick from electrical water damage. Rivian replaces carpet and HVAC assembly if needed.
NHTSA Recall 23V-883 affects 7,873 R1T and R1S vehicles (built June 2021 – October 2022). At high cabin temperatures, the pedal sensor failed to detect full release — Auto-Hold/Park did not activate and the vehicle crept forward. Rivian pre-patched 85% of affected vehicles via OTA before NHTSA issued the recall. Physical pedal replacement also provided at no cost.
The original powered tonneau cover on Launch Edition and early trucks was prone to jamming. A single motor drove the full width of the cover — when binding occurred, drive gears and rails were damaged. Rivian developed V1.5 then V2 with a smaller roll-up mechanism. Affected vehicles received replacement covers under warranty. Out-of-warranty cost: $300-2,500.
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).
Well-known issue on early deliveries 2021-2023. Panel gaps at hood, fenders, bed, and doors sometimes dramatically outside acceptable tolerances. Service centers have adjusted panels. Improved manufacturing quality from 2023 onward. No safety risk but unacceptable for a vehicle in this price range.
Retaining clip on the actuator slips off, throwing the port door out of alignment. Sometimes the door opens only halfway or won't close flush. DIY fix is possible (reseat clip, 3 screws). Service center repair covered under warranty. Out-of-warranty: $150-600 depending on the part.
Frequent owner reports of frozen touchscreens, OTA updates that fail multiple times, navigation outages, and HVAC controls disabled after updates. Consumer Reports cites software as one of the primary drivers of below-average reliability scores. Most bugs are resolved via OTA but the gap between problem and fix can stretch weeks.
Reports & Tests
R1T reliability rating from Consumer Reports.
