There are 3 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2025 Rivian R1Sin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
In late May 2025, I took delivery of a new leased 2025 Rivian R1S equipped with the MaxPack battery. Since delivery, the vehicle has had intermittent electrical issues with the USB-C ports that I reported on June 12th (approx 3 weeks from taking delivery), but on July 28, 2025, it experienced a sudden and complete electrical system failure while parked. Both the high-voltage and low-voltage systems shut down, leaving the vehicle entirely inoperable. Rivian Service has reported that the incident was caused by an isolation fault, which triggered the pyrotechnic safety fuses to blow, fully disconnecting the high-voltage battery. The vehicle required towing on dollies to a Rivian Service Center, where it remains out of service pending repairs. This failure occurred within just a few months of delivery, and I have been informed by the tow operator that similar failures have occurred with other 2025 Rivian MaxPack vehicles. This defect completely disables the vehicle without warning, creating a serious safety risk if it were to occur while driving.
On January 9, I was driving my new 2025 Rivian R1S (approx. 2,400 miles) when it suddenly displayed “Drive stalk not working.” The vehicle jolted, made a loud noise from the front axle, and then fully stopped in the middle of a busy road with the battery still at 55%. Once it stopped, I had no hazard lights or power steering, and the infotainment system locked up. After several attempts to reboot, the screen showed “Critical battery error” before shutting down completely. I was unable to move the vehicle or alert other drivers with flashing lights, creating a major safety hazard. It took about two hours for a tow truck to arrive. ## Component or System Failure: The vehicle’s propulsion system (drive controls) and electrical/hazard light systems appeared to fail simultaneously. The vehicle is currently at a service center for inspection and could be made available if needed. ## Safety Risk: Being stranded in the middle of the road without hazard lights or any way to move the car put myself and other drivers at serious risk. ## Reproduction/Confirmation: It has not been confirmed or reproduced yet by the service center. ## Inspection: The manufacturer’s service center is inspecting the vehicle. No other parties (police or insurance) have inspected it. ## Warning Lamps/Messages: There were no prior warnings. The “Drive stalk not working” error and subsequent “Critical battery error” appeared just moments before the vehicle stopped. I am reporting this because a sudden, total shutdown without hazard lights is a serious safety concern, especially on a busy road.
Unable to use the drive stalk to change gears. Reboot fixed it temporarily. Service center ended up replacing the Steering Column Control module.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026