2022-2023 Rivian R1T Defroster Recall (23V783)
Rivian Automotive, LLC · 1,463 vehicles · Reported November 21, 2023
Rivian Automotive, LLC is recalling 1,463 2022-2023 Rivian R1S; 2022-2023 Rivian R1T vehicles. A software update may have deactivated the defroster and defogger system controls. The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 23V783 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V783000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | FSAM-1331 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 21, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Rivian Automotive, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 Rivian R1S; 2022-2023 Rivian R1T |
| Units affected | 1,463 |
| Component | Visibility > Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System |
| Safety risk | The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Rivian R1T in recall 23V783?
A software update may have deactivated the defroster and defogger system controls.
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2023 R1T and R1S vehicles. A software update may have deactivated the defroster and defogger system controls.
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 R1T with recall 23V783?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: The inability to operate the windshield defrosting and defogging system can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your R1T shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the defroster and defogger and hvac system, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V783?
Recall 23V783 covers 1,463 vehicles: 2022-2023 Rivian R1S; 2022-2023 Rivian R1T.
NHTSA lists 1,463 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Rivian | R1S |
| 2022-2023 | Rivian | R1T |
What is the fix for the R1T defroster recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this recall is FSAM-1331.
When was recall 23V783 announced?
Rivian Automotive, LLC reported recall 23V783 to NHTSA on November 21, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 21, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 21, 2023 | Rivian Automotive, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V783000. |
| December 21, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 34 months ago. If your R1T was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my R1T is part of recall 23V783?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V783 is open on your R1T, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V783000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should R1T owners do about recall 23V783?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V783000 applies to your R1T.
- Call a Rivian dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the defroster and defogger and hvac system happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are R1T owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 23V783 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 186 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Rivian R1S: 75 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Rivian R1T: 67 complaints in total, 2 about the lighting and visibility
- 2023 Rivian R1T: 38 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Rivian R1S: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
There is no defrost mechanism for the headlights. Because they are LED lamps and cool to the tuch, they are prone to snow buildup and greatly reduced visibility.
2023 Rivian R1T owner, CO, NHTSA complaint 11559435, filed December 11, 2023
Rivian pushed a software update to owners on the evening of 11/13/2023. This update made the driver information and infotainment screens non-functional and also disabled all driver saftey aids and any ability to turn exterior lights or windshield wipers off or on.
2023 Rivian R1S owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11555051, filed November 14, 2023
Tonight starting at 7:15pm to 8:00pm vehicle switched from all lights +foglights on to daytime driving lights or parking lights. It did this three times. I live in rural setting with hardly any public lighting and a lot of wildlife.
2022 Rivian R1T owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11684022, filed August 29, 2025
Can recall 23V783 make my R1T a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V783000 does not automatically make your R1T a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2022-2023 Rivian R1T can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2022-2023 Rivian R1T in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your R1T been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Rivian R1T recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V783
Is the 23V783000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 21, 2023.
How do I know if my R1T is part of recall 23V783000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V783000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Rivian. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.