June 20, 2026 — A Rivian R1T and R1S class action lawsuit claims the electric vehicle maker has not fulfilled its commitments on hands-free driving features.

The lawsuit states that Rivian (originally Mainstream Motors), founded in 2009 by RJ Scaringe to produce all-electric vehicles, developed the Rivian R1T pickup truck and the Rivian R1S SUV.

Three Rivian owners allege that Rivian specifically promoted its electric vehicles as offering Level 3 autonomy and true hands-free driving via its Driver+ system.

The class action lawsuit claims the promotion started in November 2018 and continued through at least March 2023.

The Rivian R1T and R1S lawsuit covers:

All persons who purchased or leased a model year 2022-2024 Rivian R1T or R1S with Driver+ or that was marketed as featuring Level 3 autonomy or hands-free driving capability at any time from October 1, 2021 through the present. This class is limited to those individuals that are not subject to Rivian's arbitration agreement and class action waiver.

Rivian Class Action Lawsuit - The Plaintiffs

California plaintiff Michael J. Fritz bought a 2023 R1S in May 2023 for around $97,000.

The plaintiff notes he test drove a vehicle and was informed that Rivian's self-driving capabilities were parallel to, if not better than, Tesla's Full Self-Driving system.

He alleges he was assured all Rivian vehicles would support Level 3 autonomous driving upon delivery or could be upgraded to Level 3 autonomy soon via over-the-air software updates.

Michigan plaintiff Jason M. Cornellier bought a 2023 R1S in February 2023 for over $81,000. He states a major factor in selecting the vehicle was the belief it would include true hands-free Level 3 autonomous driving self-driving capabilities or would gain them soon through over-the-air software updates.

But for Rivian's materially false and misleading representations and promotion of the Gen 1 Vehicles, Cornellier would not have purchased his Rivian R1S or would have paid significantly less for it. - Rivian class action lawsuit

Wisconsin plaintiff Dean A. Sweberg bought a 2022 R1S in December 2022 for more than $83,000. Sweberg alleges he has not received what was promised with his vehicle and its self-driving capabilities.

According to the class action, Rivian engaged in years of false, deceptive and misleading statements about the autonomous capabilities of R1T and R1S vehicles. Rivian allegedly produced its Generation 1 electric vehicles without the hardware, cameras, sensors and technology needed for hands-free driving and/or Level 3 autonomous operation.

The lawsuit argues the Rivian Driver+ system was never designed to support the type of autonomous driving Rivian claimed its vehicles could achieve. Additionally, the class action notes no software update of any kind will allow its Gen 1 vehicles to perform as advertised.

For five years Rivian reportedly issued misrepresentations through nationwide marketing campaigns which led consumers to buy the electric vehicles.

The Rivian class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Southern Division): Cornellier, et al., v. Rivian, LLC, et al.

The plaintiffs are represented by Tycko and Zavareei LLP, and Coleman Law, PLLC.