2026 Rivian R1S: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2026 Rivian R1S: 3 recalls, 14 owner complaints and up to 85 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #26V009000 · 2026 · 869 vehicles
What's wrong: The bolts that secure the second-row driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies May be improperly tightened.
Why it matters: An improperly secured seat belt retractor May not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 2, 2026.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #26V508000 · 2026 · 3,829 vehicles
What's wrong: One or both front turn signals May fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Turn signals that do not function properly increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2026.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #26V597000 · 2026 · 98,828 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera image May be obstructed by a notification when in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Forward collision avoidance (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Latches & locks (3): the most common themes are door / lock issues (3).
- Brakes (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2026 Rivian R1S has 14 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 6 R1S model years for complaints (well below the 28 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (9 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old, at a median of 738 miles. Neighboring years: 2025 (54 complaints, 11 recalls), 2027 (0 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (208 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 92e | 77e | 85e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 94e | 77e | 85e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 91e | 77e | 84e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 89e | 75e | 82e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 86e | 74e | 80e | Electricity |
| Electric (208 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 85e | 72e | 79e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 82e | 73e | 78e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 85e | 72e | 78e | Electricity |
| Electric (201 and 233 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 81e | 70e | 76e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 82e | 70e | 76e | Electricity |
| Electric (201 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 80e | 71e | 76e | Electricity |
| Electric (264 kW ACPM) | Automatic (A1) | 4-Wheel Drive | 76e | 67e | 72e | Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2026 Rivian R1S.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2026 Rivian R1S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2026 Rivian R1S. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2026 Rivian R1S problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (3), latches & locks (3), brakes (2).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Rivian R1S get?
EPA ratings run up to 85 mpg combined, across 15 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2026 Rivian R1S repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.