Buyer Research

2022 Rivian R1T — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $55,000–$75,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A genuinely impressive electric adventure truck — the R1T offers quad-motor performance, real off-road capability, clever storage (gear tunnel), and long range. But it's a first-generation vehicle from a young company, so early-build quirks, software, and service/parts availability are real concerns. A well-kept R1T with updates done and a healthy battery is a remarkable truck; verify software/recall history, battery health, and factor in Rivian's still-growing service network.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 65 owner complaints for the 2022 Rivian R1T, across 11 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the suspension at 23%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

11 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the driver-assist and automatic braking systems (12 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2022 Rivian R1T

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

First-gen build / software quirksMedium

Early R1Ts had various software bugs, hardware fixes, and recalls; verify updates and recalls were performed and everything works.

Repair cost (estimate): $0-$2,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (7); 11 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Service / parts availability (young brand)Medium

Rivian's service network and parts supply are still growing; repairs can mean waits and travel. Factor in your location.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Battery health / rangeMedium

Check battery health and range; towing/off-road cuts range. Verify remaining battery warranty.

Repair cost (estimate): $0 under warranty / very expensive out

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (7).

Tire wear (heavy, off-road tires)Low

A very heavy truck on all-terrain tires; tires wear and cost more.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,000-$1,800

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Front steering-knuckle fastener under-torqued at the factoryHigh — wallet impact

The bolt joining the front upper control arm to the steering knuckle could leave the factory under-torqued, letting the knuckle shift and change the wheel's camber — in rare cases separating and affecting control of the vehicle. Rivian recalled 12,212 R1T/R1S/EDV units built in roughly a 13-month window in 2022 (NHTSA campaign 22V744) and fixed it by re-torquing the bolt, usually in minutes. Confirm this was done for this specific VIN.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the suspension (15).

Same steering-knuckle fastener issue affects steering feelHigh — wallet impact

The under-torqued front steering-knuckle bolt behind the suspension recall (NHTSA campaign 22V744) can also throw off alignment and steering feel — vehicles in the recalled build window may pull, wear tires unevenly, or feel vague at the wheel. It's fixed the same way, by re-torquing the fastener to spec; confirm the recall was completed for this VIN.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (8).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Outstanding recalls/software
✗Battery/range concerns
✗Far from Rivian service
✗Salvage title

Good Signs

✓Updates/recalls done, everything working
✓Healthy battery, remaining warranty
✓Reasonable proximity to service

Found a specific Rivian R1T?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2022 Rivian R1T in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.