Selling a wrecked or dead Rivian R1S

If your R1S was in a crash, won't power up, or would cost more to fix than you want to spend, you can sell it unrepaired and in one piece. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

What the R1S is

Wikipedia lists the R1S as a full-size SUV, built in Normal, Illinois, since 2022, with a single-speed transmission and a 121.1-inch wheelbase. The Large pack is 135 kWh, built from 7,776 cells in nine modules. Range runs from 260 miles on the Standard pack to 400 miles on the Max pack. The entry Explore package was dropped in August 2022; Rivian cited low demand.

Known problems, grouped by model year

The R1S is still in its first generation, so the groups below follow the EPA model years, 2022 to 2027.

2022: more recalls than complaints

Owners filed only 6 complaints on the 2022, but it is listed in 13 recall campaigns. Most deal with seat belts and fasteners. Recall 22V641 covers front seat belt anchors that may not be attached firmly to the B-pillar. Recall 22V744 covers the fastener joining the front upper control arm and steering knuckle, which may not have been tightened right. Recall 23V109 covers a passenger seat belt sensor that can read ON when it is OFF. Recall 23V883 covers an accelerator pedal that may not sense being released, so auto-hold or park may not engage. Rivian fixed that one with a software update and new pedals.

2023: the air bag year

The 2023 has 76 complaints: 28 name the air bags, 10 the electrical system and 10 are filed as unknown or other. Ten of them report a crash. Of the campaigns in our list, the one for this year filed under air bags is 24V408: pillar trim clips that may have been damaged during a service visit. Other 2023 recalls cover reverse lights that can't be seen from some angles (23V233, R1S only), an update that could disable the defroster and defogger buttons (23V783), and headlight aim (24V367).

2024: the quiet year

The 2024 has 17 complaints. Suspension leads with 3, then forward collision avoidance and air bags with 2 each. Recall 26V003 matters if your R1S has been serviced: on some 2022-2025 cars, the rear toe link may have been reassembled the wrong way in service done before a cutoff date. Rivian replaces the bolts.

2025 to 2027: lights and software

The 2025 has 54 complaints, and 7 name the exterior lighting. That sits next to four lighting recalls: Car Costume software that could keep some lights off (24V827), low beams that may not come on in cold weather (25V085), and front turn signals that may not flash (25V387 and 26V508). Hands-Free Highway Assist could misread which vehicle is in front; recall 25V585 patched it over the air. The 2026 has 14 complaints, with latches, locks and linkages named most. Owners had filed no complaints on the 2027 as of October 10, 2026.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Complaint tallies are as of October 10, 2026. Campaigns overlap: one recall often spans three or four R1S years, which is why the per-year figures total far more than 22.

One complaint, on the 2025, reports a fire. None reports a death.

Big vehicle counts in recall notices are for the whole campaign. Recall 26V597, where an on-screen message can block the backup camera view, lists 98,828 vehicles across the R1S, R1T and R2.

Fix it or sell it?

Before paying for anything, run the 17-character VIN through NHTSA's recall search. Every recall remedy listed above is free, and several are over-the-air updates.

After that, the choice comes down to the repair quote and what the R1S is worth once it is fixed. When the quote eats most of that figure, selling usually wins.

• Lost drive power or a pack problem? Read EV battery failed before you approve a pack job.
• Crash with the air bags out? See airbags deployed and wrecked or totaled.
• Insurer already called it a total? Insurer totaled it covers keeping or selling the wreck.

Selling your R1S whole

1. Collect three facts: VIN, odometer, fault. Add whether the display wakes up and whether the SUV can roll.
2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot. Collision center, carport, underground garage or curb: the driver plans the load around it. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it in one piece. Keep the pack, wheels and seats in it, and tell us about anything already removed.
5. Clear your account and data. Our guide to wiping your data covers connected cars. Then find the title and a photo ID. For plates, see after you sell; each state differs.

Own a different Rivian? See the R1T, the R2 or every Rivian we cover.