Rivian Lemon Law in California: R1T & R1S Owner Rights

If your Rivian R1T or R1S keeps going back to service for the same unresolved problem, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers electric vehicles the same as gas cars: when Rivian can't fix a substantial, warranty-covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts, you have rights — and Rivian pays your attorney fees on a successful claim.

Common Rivian problems owners report

As a young automaker scaling production quickly, Rivian has faced a range of early-vehicle issues. Complaints and recall topics California owners have raised include:

• Software and touchscreen glitches, freezes, and reboots, including issues following over-the-air updates.
• Charging and battery faults — failed charging sessions, slow charging, or unexpected range loss.
• Drivetrain and electric-motor problems, warning messages, and reduced-power events.
• Suspension, steering, and related components addressed in Rivian recalls.
• Build-quality, water-intrusion, and trim or panel defects.

A recall isn't automatically a lemon — but it can help your case

Rivian has issued several recalls. A recall by itself doesn't make your vehicle a lemon, but if the recall repair is delayed, doesn't fix the problem, or your R1T or R1S has other unresolved warranty defects, you may have a claim. Save every recall notice, repair order, and app message — that documentation is what proves a lemon law case.

What you may be entitled to

Successful Rivian claims generally result in a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement. Rivians are high-value vehicles, so these claims can be substantial — and because the manufacturer pays your attorney fees, pursuing one costs you nothing out of pocket.

If your Rivian has a defect that won't stay fixed, a free case review will tell you whether it qualifies and what your claim could be worth.