Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian burst onto the scene with the 2022 debut of its Rivian R1T truck. Backed by big names like Ford and Amazon, the Illinois-based company quickly garnered attention for the sharply styled R1T, which earned bragging rights as the first mass‑produced electric truck sold in the U.S. It was shortly followed by the Rivian R1S SUV, which traded an open cargo bed for an enclosed third row. With starting prices in the upper five‑figure brackets, an abundant range, and ample horsepower, the company positioned its products toward high‑end electric vehicles. Yet, despite billions of dollars of backing and advanced production facilities, Rivian vehicles have earned a reputation in three short years for being among the most unreliable cars you can buy.

In a 2024 assessment of automotive brand reliability, Consumer Reports ranked Rivian second from the bottom among the 32 companies it reviewed. Only Jeep was worse. At the same time, EVs have earned a reputation for plunging resale values, making them a potentially smart buy on the resale market. This factor can make buying used cars like the Rivian R1T or R1S tempting, but is it a smart move? Keep reading as we explore the answers. In particular, we’ll cover the reliability record, major reliability issues, service support, depreciation and resale value, Consumer Reports rankings, and what that means if you’re considering a used Rivian or already have one in the driveway.

Overview: Why Reliability Still Matters in the EV Era

Reliability cannot be taken for granted, especially with the latest new models in the automotive world. Dependability issues increase ownership costs, drag down resale values, and impact owner satisfaction. This is especially critical for brand-new vehicles from newer automaker startups like Rivian. Software malfunctions and issues with the battery pack and powertrain system can lead to unexpected trips to the service center for electric cars. Repair bills can skyrocket once the warranty expires. These new players also don’t operate in a vacuum; their products will still be compared to legacy names such as Toyota, Subaru, Honda, and Lexus in terms of reliability.

Rivian’s Early Promise vs. Real‑World Problems

It’s hard for even the casual car enthusiast to escape the appeal of a new automaker startup, as these are rare occurrences. This is especially true of companies that have actually met with some degree of sales success. Once-promising firms like Fisker, Canoo, and Nikola are just some of the casualties now assigned to the history books.

Rivian launched in 2022 with bold claims, like some models offering over 300 miles of range (newer Rivians promise over 400 miles of capability) or more than 1,000 horsepower for the quad-motor variant. Add genuine off-road capability, upscale cabins, and supercar-level performance levels, and the formula appeared hard to beat.

When awarding the R1T its 2022 Truck of the Year title, MotorTrend called the Rivian pickup a “remarkably original take” that redefines the genre. Despite the high price tags, Rivian couldn’t build its vehicles fast enough. In early 2021, reports indicated that Rivian had almost 50,000 deposits before the first R1T left the factory. The compact and cheaper R2 SUV, which should arrive in 2026, has over 200,000 reservations.

Yet the past and ongoing optimism and enthusiasm have nothing to do with real-world usage and persistent Rivian reliability shortcomings. Consumer Reports (CR) drilled further into dependability matters by putting 22 popular brands under the microscope; these results cast Rivian in an even darker light. This time, the EV maker ranked dead last, scoring a 14 out of 100 for predicted reliability.

Cadillac was its closest competitor, ranking-wise, with a 27. Subaru had the best results, receiving a 68, followed by Lexus and Toyota, with respective 65 and 62 scores. From a product standpoint, Tesla is arguably a key Rivian competitor. CR gave the maker of the Model X, Model S, Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck a 17th-place finish or 36 out of 100, just ahead of Volkswagen. However, there’s an interesting twist. According to CR, Rivian scores the highest for owner satisfaction, suggesting those who drive an R1T or R1S are willing to tolerate flaws for the sake of innovation.

Perhaps rubbing its hands with glee, the Tesla-centric forum Testarati pointed out that CR reported some Rivian horror stories, like one owner’s R1T being “bricked three weeks after delivery.” A search of “reliability” on rivianownersforum.com yields more than 300 entries. Of course, there are Rivian owners with good experiences, but those with problems are a vocal bunch.

Reliability Issues Plaguing the R1T and R1S

Build Quality and Fitment Problems

While build quality doesn’t necessarily impact the reliability of mechanical and electronic systems, issues like misaligned body panels, trim gaps, and leaky seals don’t inspire confidence. These problems can undermine the premium image of Rivian vehicles, especially compared to upscale brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Even mainstream brands like Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge don’t get routinely knocked for such problems.

One Rivian Owner Forum post from the owner of a 2022 R1T mentions, “The panel gaps on the right front fender to the hood are so big I can put my index finger in.” And adds, “Should have stuck with legacy car makers. Even my Tesla S Plaid is a way better build.”

Software Glitches and Technology Malfunctions

R1T and R1S buyers frequently cite software update failures that render in-car displays unresponsive or cripple navigation and HVAC systems. One recent story involves repeated replacements of HVAC components without resolving the underlying issue, and long delays waiting for service parts to arrive. It’s not difficult to uncover online posts about driver-assist systems disabling unexpectedly and frozen infotainment screens.

Mechanical and Electrical Issues

Rivian recalls reflect more than isolated problems. In early February, Rivian recalled over 17,000 R1T and R1S models due to headlights that could fail in cold weather, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of an accident. By midyear, the company announced an even larger recall involving almost 28,000 models with the potential for a malfunctioning front turn signal, another safety hazard. Meanwhile, InsideEVs.com reported its experience with a Rivian recall (involving about 12,000 vehicles) for an issue with an upper control arm bolt that could affect steering. To date, the company has sold a total of about 135,000 R1Ts and R1Ss.

Rivian’s Service and Support Challenges

Rivian’s direct‑to‑consumer model means it relies on a limited network of dedicated service centers that total fewer than 70 active locations in the continental U.S. In addition, most facilities are concentrated in the northeast, upper Midwest, and California. There are only four locations throughout Texas, although four more are reportedly “in the works” in the state, according to the company’s website. The company offers mobile service, though details on its availability are limited.

In contrast, someone needing service on their all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning can turn to one of over 2,800 authorized dealers throughout the fifty states. Chevrolet, maker of the Silverado EV, has a similarly-sized dealer network. Tesla has over 200 service locations in the U.S.

Depreciation and Resale Woes

It’s easy to get excited about any car when it’s new and shiny, but reality will set in later when it’s time to consider the impact of depreciation. As mentioned, EVs generally don’t hold their value as well as conventionally powered automobiles. A recent iSeeCars.com study showed the average retail price of a used EV (one to five years old) fell over 31% during the past year, compared to 3.6% for similarly aged vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Let’s look at how this breaks down for the Rivian R1T and comparable pickup trucks, according to Kelley Blue Book’s “fair” used purchase pricing for the 2022 model year.

While the R1T holds its own against the F-150 Lighting with a 10% better resale price, the comparison flips significantly against conventional trucks. The standard Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fetch about 70% of their original MSRPs, compared to the almost 58% for the Rivian R1T.

Should You Consider a Used Rivian R1T or R1S?

You’re the only one who can determine if buying a used Rivian makes sense. Thanks to depreciation, it’s not hard to find examples at bargain prices. However, there’s more to consider than price. Given the brand’s extensive series of recalls and a history of reliability issues, going this route could lead to headaches.

At a minimum, you’ll want a thorough review of the vehicle’s service history and a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection conducted by a Rivian service center. You’ll also want to keep the distance to that location in mind. Is it convenient? It’s important to know that few independent shops can work on Rivian’s proprietary systems, so you’ll rely on the company’s facilities or mobile services for support.

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