2023 Rivian R1T

Air Bags

Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2023 Rivian R1t has 10 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “Rivian passenger airbag is usually disabled (70 % cases) with adult passengers weighing about 125 lbs while they sit correctly in the front passenger seat. There is a warning light “Passenger airbag off”. No problems with heavier passengers (> 140 lbs). There are tons of threads about this issue on Rivian forums, Reddit or Facebook groups. Based on these threads, sometimes Rivian service centers try to fix it (often unseccessfully) and sometimes they say it’s normal. I’ve contacted a Rivian service through the Rivian app and they told me that it’s a normal behavior because 125 lbs is near the treshold. But I never had similar issues with other cars.” (NHTSA Complaint #11636817)

Other Systems

The 2023 Rivian R1t has generated 4 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “When it rains, or water is allowed to collect on top of the roof, water seeps in through the hinges of the driver and passenger sun visors. Depending on how much water is allowed to collect, it can trickle in or gush right inside the interior of the vehicle. Not only can it come in thru the sun visor hinges, but water also came out of my center roof console where my hazards and SOS button are at, causing me to worry about a water + electricity issue. Furthermore, the water obviously gets the carpeted floor wet. My truck is in the Van Nuys Rivian service center for the 2nd time for this issue. This is a well known issue on Rivian forums and on the Rivian subreddit.” (NHTSA Complaint #11708829)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Rivian R1t have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 2 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Rivian R1T was brought to independent tire center for tire rotation on same day before 1,000 mile trip. Technician documented: “Drivers side front CV axle bolt almost completely backed out”. Bolt took less than one rotation by hand to come off. Documented by tire shop technician. – Possible safety impact by possible failure of half-shaft and loss of steering control and/or wheel loss – The vehicle is scheduled for an inspection by manufacturer July 14, 2025 – There were no warnings or symptoms prior to discovery” (NHTSA Complaint #11671561)

Air Bags,Seats

Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2023 Rivian R1t has 2 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “When there's a passenger sitting in the passenger seat, the car consistently fails to detect the passenger and the "AIRBAGS OFF" indicator remains on.…”

Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance

Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2023 Rivian R1t has 1 NHTSA complaint on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “No changes to the car happened before the airbag system went out.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720146)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Rivian R1t

The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Rivian R1t by the NHTSA or Rivian. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Rivian R1t:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Rivian to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Rivian must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Rivian R1t qualifies as a lemon under California law, Rivian may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Rivian pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Rivian willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Rivian R1t Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Rivian a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Rivian dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Rivian pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Rivian a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Rivian R1t Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Rivian R1t as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Rivian pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Rivian is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Rivian R1t?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.