Consumer Reports Says This Unreliable Car Is A Surprising Customer Favorite

When you're in the market for a new automobile, you are probably looking for an affordable, best-selling vehicle that's also one of the most reliable cars. Reliability is a big deal for car buyers, as it gives the buyer more confidence that the vehicle will run smoothly without surprising breakdowns or failures.

A car might be popular and driven by a lot of people, but that doesn't always make it reliable. Some stylish, high-selling cars might have higher-than-average mechanical problems. According to Consumer Reports, one of the cars that has solid sales numbers while also struggling with reliability is the 2025 Rivian R1S. Consumer Reports gave the R1S the lowest reliability score in a list comparing 22 similar vehicles and based on member survey results.

What is surprising is that Consumer Reports also says that 84% of customers report they would buy the R1S again, even though it has extremely poor reliability scores. To determine what percentage of customers would buy a certain model of vehicle again, Consumer Reports took an owner satisfaction survey of its members. The non-profit organization readily admits that its reliability and performance testing results for any particular vehicle don't always match up with the results of customer satisfaction surveys; even unreliable cars may make owners happy. Among the 10 cars Consumer Reports listed as having the highest customer satisfaction scores in its survey, the only two cars that had extremely low reliability scores were both Rivian vehicles, the R1S and R1T. 

The 2025 Rivian R1S is a three-row electric SUV that carries a maximum travel range of 400-plus miles. It has an MSRP between $78,400 and $107,700. The R1S underwent a major upgrade in its 2025 model, installing a new electrical platform to reduce weight and increase computing power. The manufacturer also upgraded the powertrain and battery pack. Consumer Reports says the 2025 model's upgrades made for a quieter cabin and a smoother powertrain compared to the previous model, but the improvements are not significant enough to deliver monumental improvements in its reliability ratings.

To develop its predicted reliability score for the 2025 Rivian R1S, Consumer Reports used data from the 2023 model year vehicle and Rivian's overall brand testing results. It also relies on survey results from its member base. Specific areas where Consumer Reports lists the R1S as having the lowest possible reliability scores are in its suspension and steering, climate system, and overall build quality. The suspension and steering reliability issues can relate to the vehicle's shocks, struts, and ball joints. Problems with the climate system for the R1S might relate to the blower fan and AC compressor. Some of the most disappointing aspects of the vehicle's build quality include problems with the body hardware and noisy operation. Consumer Reports says the R1S's biggest problems include a stiff ride, excessive electric motor noises, and excessive air compressor noises.

Car recalls can cost a ton of money for manufacturers, including costs for sending out notices and making the repairs to fix the issue. However, they're important for reducing the risk of operating the vehicles while improving their reliability and safety. One of the reliability problems with the Rivian R1S relates to its long list of recalls on a vehicle that only began shipping in summer 2024. Consumer Reports mentions seven different recalls on the vehicle already. An average vehicle has 3.2 recalls during its 30-year lifespan.

The reasons for the Rivian R1S recalls include a steering column control module that's missing cruise markings, exterior lighting problems, poor headlamp performance in cold weather, improper installation of some seat belt anchors, turn signal operational issues, a potential loss of drive power, and an issue with its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) software. All seven recalls occurred in roughly one calendar year between September 2024 and September 2025.

According to the Consumer Reports survey that contains data on 300,000-plus vehicles, Rivian's reliability problems don't only relate to R1S recalls. They extend throughout the manufacturer's vehicle lineup. In a ranking of the 22 best car brands, Consumer Reports ranks Rivian as the least reliable car brand in 2025, based on member surveys. Rivian is clearly the lowest rated brand, scoring only 14 out of 100 in terms of reliability. The other 21 brands on the list received a score between 68 and 27 for reliability.