2022 Rivian R1S
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2022 Rivian R1S.
What to watch for on the 2022 Rivian R1S
Front Upper Control Arm Fastener (Recall)
An October 2022 recall covering roughly 13,000 vehicles addressed a front upper control arm fastener that could be insufficiently torqued, potentially affecting steering control. Confirm by VIN that the remedy was performed before purchase.
12V Battery Drain and Failure to Wake
Parasitic draw on the low-voltage system can leave the SUV unresponsive with a full traction battery. Software updates reduced the problem, but early cars can still strand you. Ask whether the 12V has been replaced and when.
9 more known problems on the 2022 R1S
Your guide shows all of them and which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
2022 Rivian R1S price ranges
The R1S commands roughly $4,000-6,000 over an equivalent R1T because three-row electric SUVs are thin on the ground. Quad-Motor cars carry a further premium as the last of the gen-1 quads. 2022 cars are rare, since R1S deliveries only began that December, and are Quad-Motor Large Pack only.
Recalls on the 2022 Rivian R1S
Seat belts: anchorage
The front seat belt anchors may have been inadequately attached to the B-pillar.
Suspension: upper arm
The fastener connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may have been improperly tightened.
Seat belts: retractor
A faulty automatic locking retractor (ALR) sensor in the front passenger seat belt system may incorrectly report as ON when it is actually…
10 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 4 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2022 Rivian R1S at a glance
- Trims
- R1S Adventure Quad-Motor Large PackR1S Launch Edition Quad-Motor Large Pack
- Engine
- Quad Electric Motors
- Transmission
- Automatic 1-spd
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Fuel
- Electric
- Body style
- SUV
Rivian R1S (Gen 1) Buyer's Guide
Three Rows and Early Build Quirks
The first-generation Rivian R1S (2022-2024) is the three-row SUV built on the same platform as the R1T pickup, sharing its motors, battery packs, air suspension, and electronics but trading the bed and gear tunnel for seven seats and an enclosed cargo area. Deliveries began in December 2022, so genuine 2022 R1S examples are scarce and are all Quad-Motor Large Pack cars.
What changed across the run: 2022 and early 2023 cars are Quad-Motor only. The Dual-Motor and Performance Dual-Motor drivetrains arrived for 2023 and became the volume sellers. 2024 added the LFP Standard pack and the Standard+ pack at the bottom of the range and closed out the gen-1 Quad-Motor. Later build dates within a model year matter here more than usual, because Rivian was shipping running changes continuously.
What to look for: Confirm by VIN that the front upper control arm fastener recall was completed. Work the third row through its full fold and release cycle, including from the cargo area, and check that the powered liftgate opens and closes without hesitation. Pull the cargo floor and look for water staining around the rear hatch and taillight seals. Ask about 12V battery history and any episodes where the vehicle would not wake. Check tire wear against the odometer, because a nearly three-and-a-half-ton SUV goes through tires quickly.
Ownership reality: The R1S has held value better than the R1T, so expect to pay a few thousand more for an equivalent configuration. Service runs through Rivian's own centers and mobile technicians rather than franchised dealers, and body repair waits have been long when parts are short. Rivian's 5-year/60,000-mile comprehensive and 8-year/175,000-mile battery and drivetrain warranties transfer to subsequent owners, so check remaining coverage by VIN before agreeing a price.
About the 1st Gen
The 2022-2024 Rivian R1S is the three-row SUV built on the same platform as the R1T pickup, sharing its motors, battery packs, air suspension, and electronics while trading the bed and gear tunnel for seven seats and an enclosed cargo area. Deliveries began in December 2022, which makes genuine 2022 examples scarce and exclusively Quad-Motor Large Pack cars producing 835 horsepower. The Dual-Motor and Performance Dual-Motor drivetrains arrived for 2023 and quickly became the volume sellers, and 2024 added the LFP Standard pack and the Standard+ pack at the bottom of the range while closing out the first-generation Quad-Motor.
As a used buy, the R1S occupies unusually thin competitive ground: three-row electric SUVs with real off-road capability barely exist, which is why it has held value noticeably better than the R1T and typically asks $4,000 to $6,000 more for an equivalent configuration. It shares the R1T's early-build issues, including 12V system drain, air suspension compressor failures, and the October 2022 front upper control arm fastener recall, and adds its own in the powered liftgate, rear hatch water sealing, and the powered third row. That third row is best treated as a children's row, and raising it leaves very little cargo space. Rivian's own service network handles all repairs, and the transferable 5-year/60,000-mile comprehensive and 8-year/175,000-mile battery and drivetrain warranties are a significant part of the used-buying calculation.
Other Rivian R1S years
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Frequently asked questions
Is a used R1S still under warranty?
Likely in part. Rivian's 5-year/60,000-mile comprehensive warranty and 8-year/175,000-mile battery and drivetrain warranty both transfer to subsequent owners. A 2022 or 2023 SUV may be out of comprehensive coverage but retains battery and drivetrain coverage far longer. Confirm remaining coverage by VIN with Rivian.
Is the third row usable for adults?
For short trips, yes, but it is best treated as a children's row. Raising it also collapses most of the cargo area behind it, so a full seven-passenger load leaves little luggage space. Check the fold and release mechanism thoroughly, since it is powered and can stick.
Which gen-1 R1S is the best used buy?
A 2023 or 2024 Dual-Motor Large Pack. It gives you the useful range, half the drive units of a Quad, better efficiency, and a lower price, and later build dates shipped with many of the first-year hardware and software fixes already applied.
Why does the R1S cost more than the R1T?
Supply and demand. Three-row electric SUVs with real off-road capability are rare, while electric pickups have more competition and softer resale. Mechanically the two are near-identical, so an R1T is the cheaper route to the same drivetrain if you do not need the seats.
Does a used R1S qualify for the federal EV tax credit?
No. The federal used clean vehicle credit capped the sale price at $25,000, which no R1S meets, and that credit ended for purchases made after September 30, 2025. Check state, utility, and local programs instead, some of which have no price cap.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.