FaultScore

BMW 318I vs Rivian R1S

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW 318I Rivian R1S
Complaints on file 113 280
Model years covered 1984–2003 2022–2026
Worst model year 1994 2023
Best model year 1993 2022
Crashes reported 11 57
Fires reported 4 3
Injuries reported 7 19
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
Share of complaints involving harm 19.5% 28.2%

BMW 318I by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 35 31.0%
Electrical System 17 15.0%
Airbags 11 9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 9 8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 7 6.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 7 6.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 6 5.3%
Brakes 5 4.4%

Rivian R1S by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 37 13.2%
Seats 17 6.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 15 5.4%
Brakes 14 5.0%
Suspension 14 5.0%