Rivian R1S and R1T Owners Raise Rear Door Safety Issues

Rivian R1S and R1T owners report rear door emergency release issues after the Gen 2 update, according to InsideEVs. Learn what changed and why it matters.

Owners of the second-generation Rivian R1S and R1T have raised concerns about an unexpected safety issue in vehicles priced well above $70,000. The focus is on the rear doors and how passengers can exit the vehicle if power is lost or an emergency occurs.

Following the mid-cycle update for the 2025 model year, Rivian retained electronic door releases but changed the design of the manual emergency release for the rear doors. According to Rivian’s official owner’s guide, opening a rear door without power now requires removing an interior trim panel and then reaching deep inside the door to pull a concealed release cable. This process is neither quick nor intuitive, particularly in a high-stress situation.

That design choice has alarmed many owners, especially families who regularly transport children in the rear seats. Discussions on owner forums and social platforms describe the procedure as difficult even for adults, let alone children. In response, some Rivian owners have begun modifying their vehicles themselves, adding paracord loops, steel cables, or small carabiners to extend the hidden release and make it easier to reach.

These do-it-yourself solutions are framed by owners as safety measures rather than custom modifications. At the same time, they openly acknowledge the risks involved. A mechanical release can open the door even at speed, prompting parents to warn their children to use it only in a genuine emergency.

The issue places Rivian within a broader industry debate. Tesla has faced similar criticism over hard-to-find emergency door releases. In late 2025, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into 2022 Tesla Model 3 vehicles, stating that the manual releases may be hidden, unlabeled, and difficult to use. A separate preliminary probe previously examined Model Y vehicles after reports that passengers, including children, were trapped inside when power failed.

Both manufacturers have since acknowledged the problem. Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen has said the company is working on combining electronic and mechanical door releases into a single, more intuitive control. Rivian has also confirmed that its upcoming R2 SUV will feature redesigned door handles and revised emergency-release solutions.

The situation surrounding the R1S and R1T highlights a growing tension between minimalist, efficiency-driven design and real-world safety requirements. Owners resorting to improvised fixes have sent a clear message, one already reflected in regulatory scrutiny and manufacturer responses. As investigations continue and new models are developed, emergency door access appears set to become a central issue in the next phase of electric vehicle design.