Why is my Rivian R1S air suspension stuck down or waiting to rise?

Short answer: If an R1S sits low with a waiting-to-rise message and a busy compressor, assume a leak until Rivian proves otherwise. Document the sag and get mobile service or a tow if it will not rise.

Symptom: One or more corners down, waiting-to-rise in the app, compressor running a lot, tire rub on the fender, or a critical suspension error.

What to check first

1. Photograph ride height against a fixed mark.
2. Note whether kneel mode was left on.
3. Open a Rivian service ticket with the exact message.
4. Check VIN for open suspension recalls.

Likely causes

1. Leaking air spring / damper or valve. A corner that sags overnight or will not rise usually means a leak or stuck valve. The compressor may run constantly trying to catch up.
2. Compressor working overtime. Constant compressor hum with a dropped stance is a symptom, not the root cause—find the leak.
3. Related service fastener recalls. Rivian has had suspension fastener recalls on some R1S/R1T VINs. Check your VIN even if the immediate issue is air leak.

What it usually costs

Owners under warranty described damper/air-spring replacements; out-of-warranty costs were not consistently posted in these threads.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Driving fully collapsed can damage tires and suspension—ask Rivian whether to tow.

DIY or shop?

Not DIY high-pressure air suspension work.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Rivian R1S: 22V744000 (2022-2022 model years, suspension:front:control arm:upper arm); 26V003000 (2022-2025 model years, suspension:critical fasteners). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 26 keyword-matched complaints for Rivian R1S 2022–2025 (of 153 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-06; keywords: air suspension, compressor, sag, drop, rise). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In R1S Air Suspension Dropped ("Waiting for vehicle to rise") + Constant Compressor Hum & Spline Click on Reddit r/Rivian, an R1S owner saw the truck sitting low with a waiting-for-vehicle-to-rise message, constant compressor hum, and a spline click. Other owners described front sag, tire rub, and warranty damper replacements after similar sagging.
• In Sinking Suspension on Reddit r/Rivian, owners discussed sinking suspension while parked and compared leak versus normal settle behavior.
• In R1S Rear Suspension on Reddit r/Rivian, an R1S rear suspension thread collected owner experiences with rear air-suspension faults and service outcomes.

Quick tip

Constant compressor + sag = leak hunt, not a software shrug.

Vehicle focus: Rivian R1S 2022-2025 with air suspension.

Safety / mechanic note

A suddenly sagged EV SUV can handle poorly—tow if unsure. Verify with a mechanic.