Rivian executive acknowledges R1S AC noise problem

[DallasBBQ]

The one time however it continued while we started driving and it was so bad I almost started to feel sick. I turned the climate control off and back on and it was much more reasonable/acceptable.

The problem is this is the car my wife drives, and this is what she deals with daily. Lots of truth to the "happy wife" comment

Sponsored

 

[kanundrum]

Alright so it wont explode, Im cool with it. Doesn't take much to keep me happy. Also you should have followed up with your original thread and not start a new one for history/comments purposes.

 

[Deleted member 7086]

Rivian’s response to the A/C complaints is their standard MO. “There is nothing wrong. It is operating as designed.” The problem is certain of the designs are defective (ie A/C, half shafts) and therefore the vehicle is defective. They may not be life threatening defects but nonetheless defects which need to be owned up to and fixed. At least with the half shafts Rivian finally, after many, many complaints, came up with a fix. It remains to be seen if the fix will work in the long term. Short of a class action social pressure seems to be the only driving force to get Rivian to fix these problems. Be vocal.

 

[Lpotter86]

“It felt like she was very careful with her words”

I bet. It’s almost like people might take what was said and blow it outta proportion online.

 

[JKDU]

I haven't read the other threads but do you notice the noise regardless of how high/fast you set the fan speed and what temp you set it when cooling? I have had my R1S for 2 months but it's been unseasonably cool in Denver so haven't had to use the AC at all. Want to try it out now to see if I have the same noise issue.

 

[DallasBBQ]

Alright so it wont explode, Im cool with it. Doesn't take much to keep me happy. Also you should have followed up with your original thread and not start a new one for history/comments purposes.

My mistake...that was pointed out earlier. Apologies to all for incorrect forum etiquette but appreciate all the feedback from the group!

 

[DallasBBQ]

I haven't read the other threads but do you notice the noise regardless of how high/fast you set the fan speed and what temp you set it when cooling? I have had my R1S for 2 months but it's been unseasonably cool in Denver so haven't had to use the AC at all. Want to try it out now to see if I have the same noise issue.

I typically keep the AC around 65 with medium fan speed and recirculation off. Outside temperature is the main variable that causes the noise issue. It feels like 90+ is when the problem appears.

 

[redantpile]

I haven't read the other threads but do you notice the noise regardless of how high/fast you set the fan speed and what temp you set it when cooling? I have had my R1S for 2 months but it's been unseasonably cool in Denver so haven't had to use the AC at all. Want to try it out now to see if I have the same noise issue.

It's the compressor between the tub and the windshield. It's very easy to hear it by removing the plastic cover or just opening the hood. Does not seem to be fan related but if the compressor is running faster then the fan is probably also spinning faster. At least for me it's this way. Try turning your temp to LOW.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

I'm done w/ new threads. I posted new today because I felt the call w/ Rivian last night was new news since they finally admit the issue exists. Sorry if that was not the correct protocol. Just frustrated. I'm a fairly new forum poster.

You're forgiven! Unlike many of the "Karen" complaints we see on forums, you seem to be fairly reasonable and you have my sympathies. I personally think Rivian is a great product but sometimes you get a bad apple. Maybe that's what is going on here, maybe not. I think you should attempt to Lemon Law it and see what happens. You may be boxed into a corner given they are saying it is operating as expected. But it's not that hard, give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I get the frustration. Everyone has different tolerance levels . Rivian is aware of it I'm sure. I think personally the just need some rubber isolators somewhere to keep the vibration from transmitting into the cabin.

My suggestion was based on the frustration...if your unhappy with it...the frustration is only likely to grow. I think Rivian will eventually come out with a TSB but it may take some time.

If you sell it there is nothing to disclose the way I see it. It's operating as designed and you have statements from multiple folks at Rivian stating this.

Probably best to get rid of it...it's probably going to drive you and your wife nuts every time you drive it.

 

[HeyEllwood]

Big yikes. Absolutely not how it should be operating and yes of course she chose her words wisely. That's what people do when they speak on behalf of companies.

I would continue to make a stink about this at your local Rivian Center if possible. Even on a $40-50k car it shouldn't sound like this. I'd expect this from like a 10-15 year old car that's a beater.

I must admit thought that our Model Y will ramp up pretty loud when the overheat protection is on and when I blast the AC on lvl 8-10..but it doesn't sound like this on the outside.

 

[Batman]

Sorry to hear. You could always sell it or trade it in. You'll get more than the 80k you paid.

 

[Friscorays]

Just sent an email to our guide telling him that we would find this unacceptable should the R1S we take delivery of next week have this issue or develop this issue. I asked for reassurance that eventual solution would be retroactively implemented for those in need of it.

I fully expect to recieve a response that will not offer any assurance but think it is important to do my part in making it clear to Rivian that this is really in no way acceptable. Rivians are supposed to be quiet. I would find the noise (and reported associated vibrations) very embarrassing and annoying and can absolutely understand how this issue would ruin the experience of owning an otherwise awesome vehicle. Real shame how things stand as of now.

 

[DallasBBQ]

Just sent an email to our guide telling him that we would find this unacceptable should the R1S we take delivery of next week have this issue or develop this issue. I asked for reassurance that eventual solution would be retroactively implemented for those in need of it.

I fully expect to recieve a response that will not offer any assurance but think it is important to do my part in making it clear to Rivian that this is really in no way acceptable. Rivians are supposed to be quiet. I would find the noise (and reported associated vibrations) very embarrassing and annoying and can absolutely understand how this issue would ruin the experience of owning an otherwise awesome vehicle. Real shame how things stand as of now.

Please let us know the response you get from Rivian. I'm curious how they address to people who have not taken delivery.

 

[TexasBob]

IMO, this is just a bit of an inconvenient noise. Does not hurt anything or anyone. It'll get resolved with an OTA in next few weeks. It is like the smelly feet AC issue in the Tesla Model 3 in 2018. (Way worse, it smelled like old shoes!) Got resolved in a few weeks with OTA.

Sponsored