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Rivian · Known Issues

2026 Rivian R1T Problems: 2 Known Issues

2026 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026 Rivian R1T has 2 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • R1T Electrical1
  • R1T HVAC1
  • Recalls8
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Electrical1
  • HVAC1
  • Recalls8
  • FAQ

All 2 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS202620252024202320222021

On the 2025-2026 Rivian R1T, improperly manufactured front lamp assemblies on Gen 2 R1T and R1S vehicles can leave one or both front turn signals dead — the signal fails to illuminate and flash at all. Because the front turn signal is a required exterior lighting function, the condition is a non-compliance with FMVSS 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment) rather than a wear item, and surrounding drivers get no indication of an intended lane change or turn. Rivian first filed this as NHTSA campaign 25V-387 in June 2025. The supplier failed to fully contain the bad parts, so Rivian later expanded the population as NHTSA campaign 26V-508 (Rivian FSAM-1833), adding 625 model year 2025-2026 R1T trucks built October 1, 2024 through March 19, 2026 alongside 3,204 R1S units. A truck repaired under the original 25V-387 campaign can still fall into the expansion, so an already-completed recall does not close this out.

Common Symptoms

  • One or both front turn signals do not illuminate or flash
  • Turn signal works at the rear but not the front on the same side
  • Hazard flashers do not light the affected front corner
  • Possible exterior lighting fault message on the display
  • No visible signal confirmed during a walk-around check

How to Fix

Free recall remedy. Rivian service inspects the front turn signal lamp assemblies and replaces any defective lamp at no charge. This is a physical parts replacement, not an OTA — a service visit is required. Because of the expansion, re-check your VIN against BOTH 25V-387 and 26V-508 even if you already had turn signal work performed. Do a walk-around signal check periodically: the failure can be one-sided and the cabin may not always give an obvious fast-flash hyperblink warning on an LED system.

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Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2025-2026 Rivian R1T, this is a Gen 2 specific issue and does not apply to Gen 1 trucks. For model year 2025-2026 Rivian replaced the Gen 1 (2022-2024) PTC resistive cabin heater with a heat pump, which is far more efficient in cold weather but mechanically far more complex — it runs the refrigerant circuit in reverse to pull heat from ambient air. Gen 2 owners report an unusually loud compressor (commonly described as a jet engine or lawnmower noise from the front of the vehicle when heat or A/C is active), followed in a meaningful number of cases by a 'Thermal system fault' message and complete loss of cabin heat. Some failures are refrigerant loss from a leaking heat pump / AC compressor, which drains the circuit and takes cabin cooling down with the heat. Others present as slow warm-up: owners directly comparing a 2025 to a 2024 report the Gen 1 truck heating almost immediately while the Gen 2 takes five-plus minutes and never fully warms the footwells. Loss of heat also means loss of windshield defrost, which is a genuine safety problem in freezing or wet conditions. There is no NHTSA recall for this — it is a warranty pattern, not a campaign. Separately, Gen 1 trucks have their own HVAC problem addressed by service bulletins RCA-26-24-002-1 and RSB-26-26-001-1, covering a faulty front HVAC case drain that leaks water into the front footwells.

Common Symptoms

  • 'Thermal system fault' message on the display
  • No cabin heat and no windshield defrost
  • Very loud jet-engine or lawnmower noise from the front when heat or A/C runs
  • Cabin takes five or more minutes to warm, footwells never get warm
  • Loss of A/C cooling alongside loss of heat (refrigerant leak)
  • Puddle or refrigerant residue under the front of the vehicle

How to Fix

Have Rivian service diagnose rather than assuming the compressor. A meaningful share of Gen 2 thermal complaints — particularly stuck valve behavior and slow warm-up — are resolved by an OTA software update to the thermal control strategy, so confirm you are on current software first. Where the compressor has genuinely failed or the circuit has lost refrigerant, service replaces the heat pump compressor assembly (and recharges the system) under the basic vehicle warranty on these model years; expect meaningful downtime, as owners report part availability running from a week to over a month. For Gen 1 water-in-the-footwell complaints, reference bulletins RCA-26-24-002-1 (replace front HVAC assembly drain valve) and RSB-26-26-001-1 (inspect for water ingress and apply additional HVAC case sealant).

Typical repair cost:$0 - $3,500

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
NHTSA Recalls8 recalls

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025-2026 R1S and R1T vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Campaign #26V50800006/08/2026

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1S and R1T vehicles that previously had service performed. The toe link may have been reassembled incorrectly during service procedures performed before March 10, 2025.

Campaign #26V00300005/01/2026

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles. One or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Rivian R1T problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026 Rivian R1T has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front Turn Signal Lamp Assembly Inoperative — FMVSS 108 Recall (25V-387, Expanded as 26V-508 / FSAM-1833), Gen 2 Heat Pump Compressor Failure — 'Thermal System Fault' and Total Loss of Cabin Heat. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.

Is the Rivian R1T reliable?

The 2026 Rivian R1T has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Rivian R1T problems?

Repair costs for known Rivian R1T issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2025-2026 Rivian R1T Front Turn Signal Lamp Assembly Inoperative — FMVSS 108 Recall (25V-387, Expanded as 26V-508 / FSAM-1833)?

Improperly manufactured front lamp assemblies on Gen 2 R1T and R1S vehicles can leave one or both front turn signals dead — the signal fails to illuminate and flash at all. Because the front turn signal is a required exterior lighting function, the condition is a non-compliance w… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025-2026 Rivian R1T Gen 2 Heat Pump Compressor Failure — 'Thermal System Fault' and Total Loss of Cabin Heat?

This is a Gen 2 specific issue and does not apply to Gen 1 trucks. For model year 2025-2026 Rivian replaced the Gen 1 (2022-2024) PTC resistive cabin heater with a heat pump, which is far more efficient in cold weather but mechanically far more complex — it runs the refrigerant c… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: medium.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

Campaign #25V387000
11/06/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles operating a software version prior to 2025.18.30. The Hands-Free Highway Assist (HWA) software may fail to correctly identify a lead vehicle.

Campaign #25V58500008/09/2025

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 R1T and R1S vehicles. The D-ring bolts for one or both front seat belt anchorage assemblies may not have been properly installed.

Campaign #25V37000003/06/2025

+ 3 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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