Lemon Law · Rivian
Rivian lemon law attorney in California
Owners of Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles have filed complaints with federal safety regulators describing air bag sensor failures, electrical system malfunctions, forward collision avoidance defects, suspension problems, and seat anchorage issues. The manufacturer has issued recall campaigns addressing air bag deployment problems, seat belt anchorage failures, suspension fastener defects, and defroster system malfunctions. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act provides remedies when a manufacturer or its dealers cannot repair a defect covered by the new-vehicle warranty after a reasonable number of attempts. The statute presumes four repair visits for the same non-safety issue, or two for a defect that substantially impairs safety, can show a reasonable effort has failed. These presumptions apply when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22).
Known defects
What Rivian owners report, and why repeat repairs matter
These are the categories owners file most often with the federal safety regulator for the Rivian model years in the record below. A complaint is one owner's report, not a finding that a vehicle is defective.
Air Bag Sensor and Deployment Failures
Owners report passenger air bag sensors that fail to detect occupants or deactivate during trips. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for occupant classification defects, faulty retractor sensors causing improper deployment, and damaged trim clips affecting side curtain air bags. Air bag malfunctions substantially impair safety, so the statute presumes two repair attempts can demonstrate a defect the manufacturer cannot fix. Each unsuccessful visit under warranty strengthens the claim.
R1S · R1T
Electrical System Malfunctions
Owners describe sudden electrical failures that leave vehicles completely inoperable, including reports of total power loss after HVAC system defects. Some report climate control malfunctions that drain the low-voltage system. Because electrical failures can strand a vehicle or disable safety systems, they may meet the statute's definition of a defect that substantially impairs safety or use. Repeated trips to the dealer for electrical faults that return after repair create the documented pattern the statute requires.
R1S · R1T
Forward Collision Avoidance Defects
Forward collision avoidance is among the most-reported component categories for both the R1T and R1S. Owners file complaints describing malfunctions in these driver-assistance systems. When a safety system covered by warranty fails repeatedly, the repair history can support a claim even if the dealer reports being unable to duplicate the fault. The statute does not require the manufacturer to admit the defect, only that the vehicle conform to warranty after a reasonable opportunity.
R1T · R1S
Suspension Failures and Fastener Defects
Owners report suspension failures, including vehicles that drop unevenly and display overheating warnings. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for improperly tightened upper control arm fasteners that can separate and cause loss of control, and for toe links reassembled incorrectly during service. A suspension defect that affects vehicle control substantially impairs safety. Repeat repair orders under warranty, especially after a recall repair that does not hold, document a nonconformity the statute recognizes.
R1T · R1S
Seat Mounting and Sensor Problems
Owners describe seat mounting bolts that come loose, disconnecting inserts from the body at third-row attachment points. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for occupant classification systems that fail to deactivate air bags when a child seat is present. Seat structural defects or sensor malfunctions can substantially impair safety. When a seat defect requires repeated repair under warranty, the documented repair orders support a claim that the vehicle does not conform.
R1S · R1T
Seat Belt Anchorage and Retractor Defects
The manufacturer has issued multiple recalls for seat belt defects: front anchors inadequately attached, D-ring bolts improperly installed, and second-row retractor bolts improperly tightened. Owners report buckles with severed wires and systems that fail to detect occupants. Seat belt failures substantially impair safety. If a recall repair or warranty repair does not resolve the problem, additional visits create the documented history Song-Beverly requires for a nonconformity claim.
R1S · R1T
By model & year
Find your exact Rivian
Every model year the firm has read the federal record for has its own page. Pick your model year for what owners filed against it, the recall campaigns naming it, and what the statute asks.
R1S
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Rivian R1S | 14 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 Rivian R1S | 53 | 10 | Exterior lighting |
| 2024 Rivian R1S | 17 | 6 | Suspension |
| 2023 Rivian R1S | 74 | 9 | Air bags |
| 2022 Rivian R1S | 4 | 12 | Seats |
R1T
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Rivian R1T | 3 | 1 | Air bags |
| 2025 Rivian R1T | 10 | 7 | Suspension |
| 2024 Rivian R1T | 9 | 6 | Steering |
| 2023 Rivian R1T | 38 | 7 | Air bags |
| 2022 Rivian R1T | 66 | 11 | Suspension |
The statute
When a Rivian problem becomes a lemon
These are the presumptions in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22). Each applies when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. They are presumptions, not predictions about any individual vehicle.
A
Two or more attempts (safety)
For a defect that could cause death or serious injury, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
B
Four or more attempts
For the same non-safety warranty problem, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
C
30 days out of service
Cumulative, for warranty repair, within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Have an attorney read your Rivian repair orders.
Start My Free Case ReviewAttorney Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. The information on this page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, stop driving it and call the firm on (619) 235-0137. Figures from the federal safety regulator's record are estimates taken from the record on the date shown.