Rivian is facing a class‑action lawsuit that accuses the EV maker of overstating the autonomous capabilities of its first‑generation R1T pickup and R1S SUV. The complaint says the company promised hands‑free, eyes‑off driving—Level 3 autonomy—that never materialized in those vehicles.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the suit alleges Rivian marketed its Driver+ system as a standard, true hands‑free feature for five years, citing statements such as CEO RJ Scaringe’s remarks at TechCrunch Disrupt 2022. The complaint argues Rivian knew the Gen 1 models could not achieve Level 3 and used the promise to boost sales, charging the company with fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment, and seeking a jury trial.
Rivian declined to comment while litigation is pending. The case follows a 2023 $250 million settlement over a separate pricing dispute. Although the first‑gen trucks lack hands‑free capability, Rivian’s second‑generation 2024 redesign introduced a more powerful sensor suite and a “Universal Hands‑Free” feature covering 3.5 million miles of road. The lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny of automakers’ self‑driving claims, echoing similar challenges faced by Tesla.
