Rivian Bulletin Addresses R1T and R1S Door Handles That Don’t Sit Flush
If an exterior door handle on your Rivian R1T or R1S does not sit completely flush with the door, or moves slightly when you operate it, Rivian has issued a technical service bulletin addressing the condition.
Rivian bulletin RSB-56-26-001-2 covers certain 2022 through 2024 R1T and R1S vehicles that may have inadequate adhesion between the exterior door panel and an internal door reinforcement.
According to Rivian, that separation can allow the exterior door handle to sit unevenly against the outer door panel or move slightly when the handle is operated.
For vehicles where the condition is confirmed, Rivian's repair procedure involves inspecting the reinforcement and applying new adhesive between the reinforcement and the outer door panel.
What Is Causing the Door Handle Problem?
Rivian says the issue is not necessarily the exterior door handle itself.
The bulletin identifies inadequate adhesion between the outer door panel and an internal reinforcement as the underlying condition.
If that reinforcement is able to move relative to the exterior panel, the door handle may no longer remain properly positioned against the outside of the door.
Owners may notice:
- An exterior door handle that does not sit completely flush with the door
- A handle that appears to move slightly when operated
- Movement in the internal reinforcement when pressure is applied to the exterior handle
Rivian does not describe this bulletin as a door handle motor or electronic actuator problem.
Which Rivian Vehicles Are Covered?
RSB-56-26-001-2 applies to certain vehicles within the following ranges:
| Model | Model Years | Approximate Build Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rivian R1T | 2022-2024 | September 2021-April 2024 |
| Rivian R1S | 2022-2024 | September 2021-April 2024 |
The bulletin applies to vehicles in the United States and Canada.
Importantly, being within these model years or build dates does not automatically mean a particular R1T or R1S is affected.
Rivian instructs technicians to use its TSBGuide Dashboard to determine whether the bulletin applies to a specific vehicle.
How Rivian Diagnoses the Problem
The repair does not begin by automatically replacing the door handle.
Rivian first instructs the technician to gain access to the inside of the affected door and inspect the internal reinforcement.
Step 1: Check for Movement
The technician presses on the exterior door handle from outside the vehicle while observing the internal reinforcement.
If the reinforcement moves when pressure is applied to the handle, Rivian instructs the technician to proceed with the repair.
Step 2: Inspect the Existing Adhesive
If the reinforcement does not visibly move, the technician checks the adhesive bonding the reinforcement to the outer door panel.
If that adhesive is cracked or separated, the repair procedure also applies.
If the Adhesive Is Still Intact
If the reinforcement does not move and the adhesive remains intact, Rivian says the bulletin is not applicable and the technician should discontinue the procedure.
What Does the Repair Involve?
If Rivian confirms that the door reinforcement is moving or the adhesive has separated, the repair is considerably more involved than simply adjusting the exterior handle.
The technician removes the affected exterior door handle and separates the reinforcement from the outer door panel.
The existing adhesive is then removed using a scraper followed by a nylon mesh pad or sandpaper.
The bonding surfaces are cleaned with alcohol, and primer is applied to the exposed metal surfaces.
Rivian then instructs the technician to apply new adhesive between the reinforcement and the outer door panel.
The bulletin specifies approximately 8 mm, or 5/16 inch, beads of adhesive along the reinforcement.
The adhesive is pushed between the reinforcement and exterior door skin, the components are temporarily compressed together, and excess adhesive is removed.
The Door Handle Helps Position the Repair While the Adhesive Cures
One interesting part of Rivian's repair procedure is how the exterior handle is used during the bonding process.
After applying the new adhesive, the technician reinstalls the exterior door handle and places an inflatable wedge behind it.
Rivian instructs the technician to inflate the wedge until there is approximately a 4 mm gap between the door reinforcement and the outer panel.
The components are then held in the prescribed position while the adhesive cures.
The exact cure time depends on the adhesive product being used, and Rivian instructs technicians to follow the product manufacturer's specified cure time.
One or Multiple Doors Can Be Involved
Rivian's labor coding for this bulletin includes inspection and repair combinations covering anywhere from one to all four doors.
That means the repair procedure is not limited to a single specific door position.
A vehicle may require:
- Inspection of one door with no adhesive repair required
- Repair of one affected door reinforcement
- Inspection of multiple doors
- Re-adhesion of multiple door reinforcements
- In some cases, inspection and repair involving all four doors
The actual repair depends on which doors are identified as affected on the individual vehicle.
Is This a Recall?
No. Rivian identifies RSB-56-26-001-2 as a Technical Service Bulletin.
The bulletin provides Rivian service technicians with an inspection and repair procedure for vehicles exhibiting the specific door reinforcement adhesion condition.
It should not be interpreted to mean every 2022 through 2024 R1T or R1S has the problem.
Rivian specifically instructs technicians to determine whether the bulletin applies to an individual vehicle before proceeding with the repair.
What Should Rivian Owners Look For?
Owners of a 2022 through 2024 R1T or R1S can visually inspect how each exterior door handle sits against the door panel.
Things worth noting include:
- A handle that no longer sits evenly or flush with the surrounding door panel
- A handle that appears to shift or move when operated
- A noticeable difference between one door handle and the others
If you notice one of these conditions, it may be worth contacting Rivian Service and referencing RSB-56-26-001-2.
The service team can determine whether the bulletin applies to your particular vehicle and inspect the reinforcement and adhesive if appropriate.
EV Outdoors Takeaway
The important part of RSB-56-26-001-2 is that a door handle sitting proud of the body does not necessarily mean the exterior handle itself has failed.
Rivian has identified a condition where inadequate adhesion between the outer door panel and its internal reinforcement can allow the handle area to move.
The prescribed repair is therefore aimed at restoring the bond between those two door components rather than simply replacing the handle.
The bulletin covers certain 2022 through 2024 R1T and R1S vehicles built approximately between September 2021 and April 2024, but applicability is vehicle specific.
If one or more handles on your R1T or R1S do not sit flush or appear to move when operated, RSB-56-26-001-2 is a useful bulletin number to reference when contacting Rivian Service.
Got questions? Drop a comment. I love hearing from all of you.
If you found this useful:
- Please consider buying me a coffee to help support future content.
- Did I get something wrong? Let me know in the comments section or visit our Link Tree to contact us.
- Also, please consider visiting our EV Accessories store to support us.
Sources
Rivian: Technical Service Bulletin RSB-56-26-001-2, "Re-Adhere Door Reinforcements," dated July 22, 2026.
NHTSA: Official manufacturer communication, NHTSA ID 11036007. View the official Rivian Technical Service Bulletin hosted by NHTSA (PDF).
