Rivian R1S buying guide

Deliveries began in December 2022, so genuine 2022 cars are scarce. All of them are Quad-Motor Large Pack cars with 835 horsepower. They also carry the most early-build baggage, including a liftgate seal bulletin that names some 2022 cars.

The 2023 model year brought Dual-Motor and Performance Dual-Motor drivetrains, which went on to sell in the largest numbers. The 2024 cars gained two entry-level batteries, the LFP Standard and Standard+ packs, while the gen-1 Quad-Motor ended.

squeezed.app's buyer's guide picks a 2023 or 2024 Dual-Motor Large Pack as the best gen-1 used buy, citing useful range, better efficiency and later builds that shipped with many first-year fixes applied. That is the car to look for in used R1S listings.

The R1S is mechanically near-identical to the R1T. If you do not need the rear seats, our R1T buying guide covers the same drivetrain in pickup form.

The R1S shares the R1T's early-build issues and adds a few of its own around the liftgate and rear seats.

12V drain and no-wake

A parasitic draw on the 12V system can leave the SUV dead to the world while the main pack is full. Updates eased it, but squeezed.app says early cars can still strand you.

Air suspension failures

Compressor and air spring faults are the big-ticket item. Carlyle reports them between 40,000 and 90,000 miles, at $1,800 to $4,500.

Control arm and half-shaft wear

Front half-shaft and control-arm wear shows up at 30,000 to 50,000 miles, according to Carlyle, at $500 to $1,800 per repair. Separately, an October 2022 recall covered a front upper control arm fastener that may have been tightened improperly, which could affect steering control.

Liftgate and hatch water leaks

A service bulletin, listed by BumperScan, covers some 2022 cars with a liftgate seal flange shorter than designed, letting water in near the upper liftgate or against the rear roof applique. The powered liftgate and rear hatch sealing are R1S-specific weak spots.

HV connector corrosion

A bulletin covers battery connectors on some 2022-2024 cars that may corrode in some climates. The result is a reduced-performance safe mode, and Rivian applies sealant.

Wet front carpets

Water can get into the front HVAC assembly on 2022-2024 cars and wet the front carpets, according to a service bulletin.

Third-row seat damage

Some 2022 cars have third-row backrests that mark easily when weight is put on them folded down. Rivian replaces them.

Display failure

A frozen center display or failed infotainment may need a whole new screen. Carlyle puts that at $1,000 to $2,500 out of warranty.

Routine service is cheap. Carlyle is the source for these figures. Carlyle lists a tire rotation and inspection every 7,500 miles, brake fluid every 36 months at $150 to $300, and a coolant change with early Quad-Motor drive-unit gear fluid service at 112,500 miles for $600 to $1,300. A 12V battery runs $200 to $400. Regen braking means pads and rotors typically last well beyond those on a gas SUV.

The risk sits in the repairs listed above, mainly suspension and the display. Rivian's comprehensive warranty (5 years or 60,000 miles) and its battery and drivetrain warranty (8 years or 175,000 miles) pass to later owners, so check how much of each remains. Service runs through Rivian's own centers and mobile technicians, and squeezed.app says body shops have kept cars waiting when parts run short.

Buy a 2023 or 2024 Dual-Motor Large Pack, preferably a later build, and see what the price guide says before you negotiate. Consumer Reports rates the 2022 about average for reliability, but the 2022 cars carry the most bulletins and recalls. Skip one unless its paperwork is complete.

Browse cars for sale now, and the cheapest listings or all used Rivians if you want to compare. Insist on proof that the recalls are closed, a dry cargo floor and a car that wakes every time. Then work the third row and liftgate before you sign.