2025 Rivian R1T
The 2025 Rivian R1T is sold in the U.S. as an electric large pickup truck with 22 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the R1T Dual Max (22in), is EPA-rated at 420 miles with 87 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 9 complaints, most often about the suspension.

Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1T Dual Max (22in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 93 | 80 | 87 MPGe | 420 mi | 38.8 | 15 h | $850 |
| R1T Performance Dual Max (22in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 93 | 80 | 87 MPGe | 420 mi | 38.8 | 15 h | $850 |
| R1T Dual Large (22in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 94 | 77 | 85 MPGe | 329 mi | 39.5 | 12 h | $900 |
| R1T Dual Standard (22in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 208 and 208 kW ACPM | 92 | 77 | 85 MPGe | 270 mi | 39.9 | 9.5 h | $900 |
| R1T Performance Dual Large (22in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 94 | 77 | 85 MPGe | 329 mi | 39.5 | 12 h | $900 |
| R1T Dual Large Plus (22in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 89 | 75 | 82 MPGe | 330 mi | 40.9 | 12 h | $900 |
| R1T Performance Dual Large Plus (22in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 89 | 75 | 82 MPGe | 330 mi | 40.9 | 12 h | $900 |
| R1T Dual Max (20in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 86 | 74 | 80 MPGe | 380 mi | 42.0 | 15 h | $950 |
| R1T Performance Dual Max (20in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 86 | 74 | 80 MPGe | 380 mi | 42.0 | 15 h | $950 |
| R1T Dual Large (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 85 | 72 | 79 MPGe | 300 mi | 42.9 | 12 h | $950 |
| R1T Dual Standard (20in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 208 and 208 kW ACPM | 85 | 72 | 79 MPGe | 258 mi | 42.9 | 9.5 h | $950 |
| R1T Performance Dual Large (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 85 | 72 | 79 MPGe | 300 mi | 42.9 | 12 h | $950 |
| R1T All-Terrain Dual Max (20in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 82 | 73 | 78 MPGe | 370 mi | 43.2 | 15 h | $950 |
| R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Max (20in) | Electric | 4WD (part-time) | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 82 | 73 | 78 MPGe | 370 mi | 43.2 | 15 h | $950 |
| R1T Dual Large Plus (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 85 | 72 | 78 MPGe | 317 mi | 43.1 | 12 h | $950 |
| R1T Performance Dual Large Plus (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 85 | 72 | 78 MPGe | 317 mi | 43.1 | 12 h | $950 |
| R1T All-Terrain Dual Large (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 82 | 70 | 76 MPGe | 289 mi | 44.4 | 12 h | $1,000 |
| R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Large (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 82 | 70 | 76 MPGe | 289 mi | 44.4 | 12 h | $1,000 |
| R1T Tri Max (22in) | Electric | 4WD | 201, 201 and 233 kW ACPM | 81 | 70 | 76 MPGe | 371 mi | 44.6 | 15 h | $1,000 |
| R1T All-Terrain Dual Large Plus (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 76 | 67 | 72 MPGe | 292 mi | 46.9 | 12 h | $1,050 |
| R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 264 and 264 kW ACPM | 76 | 67 | 72 MPGe | 292 mi | 46.9 | 12 h | $1,050 |
| R1T All-Terrain Tri Max (20in) | Electric | 4WD | 201, 201 and 233 kW ACPM | 72 | 63 | 68 MPGe | 329 mi | 49.8 | 15 h | $1,100 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 48422, 48427, 48756, 48424, 48759, 48420, 48425, 48421, 48426, 48755.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1T All-Terrain Dual Large (20in), R1T All-Terrain Dual Max (20in), R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Large (20in), R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus (20in), R1T All-Terrain Performance Dual Max (20in), R1T Dual Large (20in), R1T Dual Large (22in), R1T Dual Large Plus (20in), R1T Dual Large Plus (22in), R1T Dual Max (22in), R1T Dual Standard (20in), R1T Dual Standard (22in), R1T Performance Dual Large (20in), R1T Performance Dual Large (22in), R1T Performance Dual Large Plus (20in), R1T Performance Dual Large Plus (22in), R1T Performance Dual Max (20in), R1T Performance Dual Max (22in) | 10 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 / California ZEV | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay Elite |
| R1T All-Terrain Dual Large Plus (20in), R1T All-Terrain Tri Max (20in), R1T Dual Max (20in), R1T Tri Max (22in) | 10 / 10 | California ZEV / Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay Elite |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Pickup |
| Doors | 4 |
| GVWR class | Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg) |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Electric |
Seating
| Seat rows | 2 |
| Seating capacity | 5 seats |
Transmission
| Drivetrain | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Transmission speeds | 1 |
Driver assistance
Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Rear cross-traffic alert
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Adventure, Premium). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 216.9 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 79.1 in |
| Height | 78.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 135.8 in |
| Track, front | 68.1 in |
| Track, rear | 68.1 in |
| Curb weight | 7,147 lb |
| Weight distribution, front/rear | 51/49 |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door Pickup. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
The cheapest ownership win
Insurers price the 2025 R1T very differently, and the gap between the best and worst quote on the same car and driver is usually larger than any option you are weighing on this page.
How to compare cover →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (8)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseExterior Lighting
FSAM-1833Seat Belts
FSAM-1795Suspension
FSAM-1794Forward Collision Avoidance
FSAM-1744Electrical System
FSAM-1723Exterior Lighting
FSAM-1693Seat Belts
FSAM-1681These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Suspension:Rear — Rear Toe Link May Separate open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting left rear toe link separation in certain Model Year (MY) 2023-2024 Rivian R1S vehicles. Both VOQs report component separation while driving, causing the vehicles to swerve across multiple lanes of traffic. One incident resulted in a collision with an adjacent vehicle and roadside barrier. In both separations, the bolt that maintains the integrity of the toe link fractured. Evidence collected from the complaint vehicles included repair histories, onboard video, imagery of the damaged components, and a police accident report. The two vehicles with reported separation have different vehicle
Opened May 26, 2026 · action PE26004 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific R1T
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2025 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Rivian publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2025 Rivian R1T, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2025 Rivian R1T
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this R1T →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported
12 per 10,000 built · Rivian reported 7,572 R1T built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2025: 3 · 2026: 6
Most-cited components
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
This vehicle has experienced two separate failures of the high-voltage (HV) battery pack, each resulting in a different drive unit being damaged and total loss of electrical systems while driving. First incident (July 28, 2025): While driving, all warning lights illuminated and the vehicle indicated a possible electrical hazard.
The contact owns a 2025 Rivian R1T. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH on a local road, the driver’s side charging port door detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local service center but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
The half shaft axel on My Rivian R1T broke in under 6000K miles. Rivian tried hard to deny it, but did finally concede and fix it. But upon return there is still something wrong with the drive train
While scheduling service for NHTSA recall No. 25V-387/FSAM-1693 (Front Turn Signal Lamps malfunction that leads to no fulfillment of FMVSS 108 requirements) I was refused correction of the recall by the Rivian Miami Service Center rep (Service Advisor Joel).
The manufacturer service tech advised that the clevis mount holding the front passenger suspension in place was missing a weld to the frame (the attached work order says it was re-welded, but when asked they said the weld was missing). This resulted in creaking noises through the cab when turning
The car while driving at normal highway speeds announced that there was a high risk of electrocution associated with driving in wet conditions. This was via a red screen in the driver display. Car is 2025 R1T with 15,000 miles on it. Anyway near the vehicle was at risk of being exposed to 400v electricity
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Driver-assist crash reports (1)
Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-011 severity unknown
Apr 2026 to Apr 2026 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 0 towed
What was engaged, and what was hit
System named: Gen 2 - 2026.3.0 (1)
Crash partner: Other 1
Filed by: Rivian Automotive, LLC
| Incident | System | Struck | Injury alleged | State | Speed | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Level 2 · Gen 2 - 2026.3.0 | Other | unknown | MA | 71 mph | 29990-14690 |
From the manufacturer’s own filing
The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.
On April [redacted], 2026, log data shows that the subject vehicle started a trip at approximately 04:40 AM ET and continued driving for 14 hours, with a few brief stops, up until 18:31 PM ET, the time of the collision.
A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsMost often about: Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion System, Unknown Or Other, Power Train, Engine.
- RCA-78-26-004-1 Service bulletin2026-08-07 · Unknown Or Other
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that may be susceptible to windshield washer fluid leaking from the front fascia camera washer nozzle. The customer may notice washer fluid leaking and/or repeated low washer fluid warnings. Rivian will install a check valve in the hose that supplies the front fascia camera washer nozzle. Rivia
- RCA-78-26-001-1 Service bulletin2026-08-06 · Electrical System
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025 vehicles that may have a loose or cross-threaded ground nut inside the instrument panel. Affected vehicles may not be able to turn on, may not be able to shift into drive or reverse, and may display multiple fault indicator lights on the driver display. Rivian will replace the nut, repair or replace the ground stud, or
- RSB-93-26-002-1 Service bulletin2026-07-24 · Unknown Or Other
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that might have an audible rattle originating from the B-pillar area when driving on rough road surfaces. Upon customer complaint, Rivian will apply anti-rattle tape near both 1st row seat belt retractors to prevent rattling.
- RSB-56-002-1 Service bulletin2026-04-17 · Unknown Or Other
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2025-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that were manufactured with exterior door handles that, under some conditions, could squeak when the handles present or retract. The ability to open the door and enter or exit the vehicle is not affected. Upon customer complaint of a squeaking exterior door handle, Rivian will upgrade a pin inside a
- RSB-93-26-001-1 Service bulletin2026-04-17 · Unknown Or Other
- Rivian is launching a technical service bulletin for some model year 2022-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles that may be prone to noise and/or vibration from the door areas, particularly buzzing and rattling sounds. This results in a perceived quality issue. Upon customer complaint of noise from any door trim panel, Rivian will modify several door trim panel components to alleviate the condition.
- RCA-26-26-001-1 Service campaign2026-03-12 · Engine
- Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025 R1T and R1S vehicles that are susceptible to water contaminating the refrigerant system. Water contamination may cause premature failure of some refrigerant system components or, in some cases, cause a loss of HV isolation. A loss of HV isolation could cause the vehicle to enter a reduced performance safe state mode, an
- RSB-64-26-001-1 Service bulletin2026-02-18 · Unknown Or Other
- Rivian is launching a Rivian Service Bulletin for some model year 2025-2026 R1T and R1S vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a visible gap at the front of the wireless charging mat, resulting in a perceived quality issue. Upon customer complaint of a gap at the front of the wireless charging mat, Rivian will modify or replace components as necessary.
- 2026-01-16 · Electrical System
- SMS sent to LFP owners impacted by SOC Imbalance alerting them that their efforts have resolved their HV Battery Pack concern and may charge normally.
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2025 Rivian R1T failed the safety inspection on 0.46% of first inspections — higher than the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected.
failed the safety inspection
219 initial inspections of 215 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2025 R1T | Every 2025 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the safety inspection | 0.46% | 0.36% | 219 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0% | 0.16% | 219 |
| Average odometer | 12,942 | 12,194 | odometer at inspection |
Electric vehicles get no emissions test in New York, so the safety inspection is the record here. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2025 vehicle” is every 2025 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
R1T by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2025 R1T
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2025 Rivian R1T have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 8 recall campaigns for the 2025 Rivian R1T. The most serious on file is 26V009000, covering Seat Belts. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2025 Rivian R1T?
NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2025 Rivian R1T yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it D (64/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Rivian R1T?
Across the 22 EPA-rated configurations of the 2025 Rivian R1T, the longest EPA range is 420 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2025 Rivian R1T?
Transport Canada measured it at 216.9 in long, 79.1 in wide (body, without mirrors), 78.0 in tall, on a 135.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 7,147 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2025 Rivian R1T?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Rivian R1T, most often about suspension, steering, electrical system. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2025 Rivian R1T?
The EPA smog rating for the 2025 Rivian R1T is 10 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California ZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2025 Rivian R1T?
The manufacturer has filed 23 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2025 Rivian R1T, most often covering electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-08-07. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2025 Rivian R1T do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2025 Rivian R1T failed the safety inspection on 0.46% of first inspections — higher than the 0.36% for every 2025 model-year vehicle inspected. The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 22 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 22 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 8 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 9 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | none | NHTSA NCAP | NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe. |
| Service bulletins | 23 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 1 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | 1 | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 9 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.