Rivian R1S Buyer Checklist

2022–2026·Last reviewed 6/9/2026

Premium 3-row electric SUV. Excellent off-road, ongoing software polish. Gen 2 (mid-2024+) brings major hardware upgrades.

Used EV battery health →

Paperwork

VIN on dashboard matches title, window sticker, and finance contract
Window sticker (Monroney) included and matches the build you ordered
Confirm tax credit eligibility paperwork (IRS Form 15400 / time-of-sale report)
Owner's manual, key fobs (usually 2), and any included charging cable present
Warranty booklet shows correct in-service date and original-owner status

Exterior

Walk around in good daylight before signing — note panel gaps front, rear, hood, frunk, doors
Paint inspection: no swirl marks, orange peel beyond factory, or buffing burn-through
All glass clear of cracks, chips, or pitting; windshield not previously replaced
Tires match build sheet, manufacture date within ~6 months (DOT code on sidewall), even tread
Wheels free of curb rash; center caps and lug covers all present
Underbody check for transport damage and that the battery skid plate is undamaged
All exterior lights, turn signals, and reverse lights work

Interior

Seats free of stains, tears, scuffs; all seat motors and heaters/coolers function
Headliner, pillars, and trim properly seated with no visible gaps
All buttons, switches, window controls, sunroof/moonroof operate smoothly
Cabin smells clean — no chemical, smoke, or musty odor
Floor mats present and correct part numbers
Cargo cover, parcel shelf, or tonneau included as ordered

Tech / Software

Infotainment boots without errors; no warning lights on cluster
Latest over-the-air software version installed before delivery
Cameras (front, rear, surround) clear and aligned; parking sensors active
Bluetooth pairs, CarPlay/Android Auto connects, USB ports power
Driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keep) verified on a short test drive
Account / app paired correctly to YOUR profile, not a dealer demo account

Charging

Battery state of charge at delivery (note %) and indicated full-charge range
Charge port door opens, closes, and locks; LED indicators function
Test AC (Level 2) charge on-site if possible — connector seats, current ramps up
Mobile / portable charger and adapters included as ordered
Confirm CCS / NACS / Tesla port and any included adapter

R1S specifics

Gen 1 vs Gen 2 — Gen 2 has a new compute platform; confirm which you ordered
Air suspension raises and lowers to all heights without errors
All three rows of seats fold; cargo cover present
Rivian Adventure Network access tied to your account
NACS adapter included (Gen 2+) or in pipeline

New Delivery Checklist

Paperwork

VIN on dashboard matches title, window sticker, and finance contract
Window sticker (Monroney) included and matches the build you ordered
Confirm tax credit eligibility paperwork (IRS Form 15400 / time-of-sale report)
Owner's manual, key fobs (usually 2), and any included charging cable present
Warranty booklet shows correct in-service date and original-owner status

Exterior

Walk around in good daylight before signing — note panel gaps front, rear, hood, frunk, doors
Paint inspection: no swirl marks, orange peel beyond factory, or buffing burn-through
All glass clear of cracks, chips, or pitting; windshield not previously replaced
Tires match build sheet, manufacture date within ~6 months (DOT code on sidewall), even tread
Wheels free of curb rash; center caps and lug covers all present
Underbody check for transport damage and that the battery skid plate is undamaged
All exterior lights, turn signals, and reverse lights work

Interior

Seats free of stains, tears, scuffs; all seat motors and heaters/coolers function
Headliner, pillars, and trim properly seated with no visible gaps
All buttons, switches, window controls, sunroof/moonroof operate smoothly
Cabin smells clean — no chemical, smoke, or musty odor
Floor mats present and correct part numbers
Cargo cover, parcel shelf, or tonneau included as ordered

Tech / Software

Infotainment boots without errors; no warning lights on cluster
Latest over-the-air software version installed before delivery
Cameras (front, rear, surround) clear and aligned; parking sensors active
Bluetooth pairs, CarPlay/Android Auto connects, USB ports power
Driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keep) verified on a short test drive
Account / app paired correctly to YOUR profile, not a dealer demo account

Charging

Battery state of charge at delivery (note %) and indicated full-charge range
Charge port door opens, closes, and locks; LED indicators function
Test AC (Level 2) charge on-site if possible — connector seats, current ramps up
Mobile / portable charger and adapters included as ordered
Confirm CCS / NACS / Tesla port and any included adapter

R1S specifics

Gen 1 vs Gen 2 — Gen 2 has a new compute platform; confirm which you ordered
Air suspension raises and lowers to all heights without errors
All three rows of seats fold; cargo cover present
Rivian Adventure Network access tied to your account
NACS adapter included (Gen 2+) or in pipeline

Used Pre-Purchase Checklist

Battery Health (most important)

Charge to 100% before viewing — note indicated full range and compare to original EPA
Request an OEM battery health report (Tesla Service, Ford Pro, Hyundai Bluelink, etc.)
Check for an active high-voltage battery warranty (typically 8 yr / 100k miles, transferable)
Walk away if battery shows >15% capacity loss before 60k miles unless price reflects it
Confirm no open recall on the high-voltage battery (verify on nhtsa.gov by VIN)
OBD-II scan with EV-capable tool (LeafSpy, Scan My Tesla, Car Scanner) for cell balance / SOH

Body & Frame

Paint thickness reading across each panel — flag any panel >50% above average (repaint)
Inspect underbody and battery enclosure for impact damage, scrapes, or sealant overspray
Wheel wells: look for bent inner liners, suspension damage, or aftermarket weld repair
Frunk / trunk seals intact, drains clear, no water staining or rust
Check Carfax / AutoCheck for accident history, title issues, prior owners, odometer rollback

Drivetrain & Suspension

Test drive 20+ minutes including highway: no clunks, whines, or shudders under regen
One-pedal driving smooth; brake pedal firm without grinding (brakes can rust from disuse)
Steering centered; no pull, vibration, or knocking over bumps
All-wheel-drive models: confirm both axles engage (light acceleration on loose surface)
No coolant leaks under battery pack or motor area

Charging Hardware

Inspect charge port for burn marks, melted pins, or corrosion (sign of bad public sessions)
Plug into Level 2 EVSE and verify full session start, ramp, and stop
If possible, run a brief DC fast-charge session — confirm contactor close, ramp to expected kW
Original portable charger / cable included; check for connector damage

Service History & Recalls

Pull all open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm completion at dealer
Request service records — software updates, brake fluid flush, coolant service, tire rotations
Confirm any prior battery, motor, or inverter replacements are documented
If under remaining warranty, transfer paperwork to your name at purchase

Test Drive Checklist

All HVAC modes work — heat pump cars: verify heat in cold weather if possible
All cameras and sensors clean and active; no 'service required' warnings
12V battery health — many EV failures trace back to a weak 12V; ask date last replaced
Verify infotainment account can be reset to your ownership (factory reset done)
Check tire DOT date and tread depth across all four; EV tires wear fast

R1S used checks

Check for completion of multiple Rivian recalls (steering control unit, seatbelt, etc.)
Air suspension: lower fully then raise — listen for compressor distress
Stalk steering wheel quad-motor: ensure all four motors engage independently
Charge port motor: opens / closes without sticking (early issue)

Known Issues

Curated from NHTSA, manufacturer TSBs, and owner-forum patterns.

Major
Loose steering knuckle fastener recall
Rivian recalled vehicles for possible loss of steering control.
Source: NHTSA 23V-639 ↗
Watch
Front seatbelt sensor recall
Software issue with seatbelt occupancy detection.
Watch
12V battery drain (Gen 1)
Owners reported 12V failures on early R1S; improved by software updates.

Active NHTSA Recalls

Live from the NHTSA Recalls API, refreshed nightly. Always verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

No active NHTSA recalls in our database for this model. We refresh nightly from nhtsa.gov. Always verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Paperwork

Exterior

Interior

Tech / Software

Charging

R1S specifics

New Delivery Checklist

Paperwork

Exterior

Interior

Tech / Software

Charging

R1S specifics

Used Pre-Purchase Checklist

Battery Health (most important)

Body & Frame

Drivetrain & Suspension

Charging Hardware

Service History & Recalls

Test Drive Checklist

R1S used checks

Known Issues

Loose steering knuckle fastener recall

Front seatbelt sensor recall

12V battery drain (Gen 1)

Active NHTSA Recalls