Rivian executive acknowledges R1S AC noise problem

[DallasBBQ]

Hello everyone,
I have created the following form to collect the details of the affected car and hopefully helps with getting some attention on the issue with Rivian. I am also trying to reach out to a friend who knows an executive in Rivian. Not sure if that will help us but any of us can use the data to present to anyone at the Rivian to get some traction. Thanks

https://forms.gle/Q7n4fBdao5rzWtSC6

Note: I tried to search the forum for any form/poll to collect this information and unable to find one. Please let me know if anyone find one that already exists and I will delete this post.

Thanks for organizing. I'll get my info entered tonight

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[Bruni13]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I'm also having this exact same issue. However, I didn't start to have the problem until a couple of weeks ago when I had my windshield replaced by Rivian because of a large crack. Since then, even I've had issues with both the extremely loud fan and in addition I've had issues with the AC not cooling properly, even when the temperatures were in range of other hot days. As an example, this morning left the house from being garage parked when it was in the mid-80's and the AC would just not cool. It has led me to believe that this is some type of sensor not working properly given prior to replacing the windshield we had multiple 90+ days in Texas and I'd never experienced the noise or the fan issue previously. Whether the sensor issue was caused by the replacement or by a change in software I don't know. I have an open ticket with Rivian and waiting to see next steps.

 

[shap]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I'm also having this exact same issue. However, I didn't start to have the problem until a couple of weeks ago when I had my windshield replaced by Rivian because of a large crack. Since then, even I've had issues with both the extremely loud fan and in addition I've had issues with the AC not cooling properly, even when the temperatures were in range of other hot days. As an example, this morning left the house from being garage parked when it was in the mid-80's and the AC would just not cool. It has led me to believe that this is some type of sensor not working properly given prior to replacing the windshield we had multiple 90+ days in Texas and I'd never experienced the noise or the fan issue previously. Whether the sensor issue was caused by the replacement or by a change in software I don't know. I have an open ticket with Rivian and waiting to see next steps.

Your problem (with intermediate cooling) seems to be different - let SC check the gas pressure - mine was overloaded with gas by 50g. They removed 50g and it is fine now.

 

[shap]

Like everyone on this team, I have the AC noise issue. However, the problem IMHO is not the compressor itself - my X5 is even louder (from the outside) now (it is more than 110 in TX now).

But - there is no vibration you can feel or noise you can hear from inside the vehicle. Opposite to RIVIAN that did not isolate noise/vibration that well, and you feel significant vibration on the acceleration pedal as well as hear the noise. They will never be able to solve this problem IMHO.

As a side note - the acceleration pedal design really does not fit a 100k car - you feel everything on this pedal - every click car is doing, breaking/accelerating change, suspension clicks, switching modes, etc. It's just a bad design, unfortunately. They cut the corners with noise and vibration isolation... It is fine for offroad, but annoying on a regular drive.

So we probably will need to live with this.

P.S. My theory is that ICE makers must deal with vibration and noise from ICE and so they design the cabin in a way to block this noise. As Rivian is EV, they thought that they do not need the same level of isolation. However, they miscalculated the other noises/vibrations, like the one from the AC compressor....

 

[Wiremom]

I picked up my R1S from the Houston SC Saturday and have that noise - there's a loud whine that fluctuates in intensity; I can feel slight vibration in the steering wheel and can clearly hear it in the cabin. I've noticed that when I'm parked, the whine is louder when I'm sitting in the driver seat, and slows when I step out.
From what I'm reading this may not be an easy fix and I'm considering returning it by Friday, within the 7 day window. I've contacted my guide and opened a service request.
Don't know what to do....I've been waiting since 2/21 and so very very disappointed.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I picked up my R1S from the Houston SC Saturday and have that noise - there's a loud whine that fluctuates in intensity; I can feel slight vibration in the steering wheel and can clearly hear it in the cabin. I've noticed that when I'm parked, the whine is louder when I'm sitting in the driver seat, and slows when I step out.
From what I'm reading this may not be an easy fix and I'm considering returning it by Friday, within the 7 day window. I've contacted my guide and opened a service request.
Don't know what to do....I've been waiting since 2/21 and so very very disappointed.

@screamingkarts has created a document to help collect affected vins. Please add you car to this form.

Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMOQRV8auC-axEjcjtoy4Zm3wxX656wr0SVj76Gz0AJGY_3w/viewform

 

[MidnightRivian]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I'm also having this exact same issue. However, I didn't start to have the problem until a couple of weeks ago when I had my windshield replaced by Rivian because of a large crack. Since then, even I've had issues with both the extremely loud fan and in addition I've had issues with the AC not cooling properly, even when the temperatures were in range of other hot days. As an example, this morning left the house from being garage parked when it was in the mid-80's and the AC would just not cool. It has led me to believe that this is some type of sensor not working properly given prior to replacing the windshield we had multiple 90+ days in Texas and I'd never experienced the noise or the fan issue previously. Whether the sensor issue was caused by the replacement or by a change in software I don't know. I have an open ticket with Rivian and waiting to see next steps.

@screamingkarts has created a document to help collect affected vins. Please add you car to this form.

Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMOQRV8auC-axEjcjtoy4Zm3wxX656wr0SVj76Gz0AJGY_3w/viewform

 

[Friscorays]

Picked up our R1S this Tuesday June 20 in Dallas with feels like temperature in the 110-120 range. Delivery didn't go as expected but I'll post a separate little write up on that soon.

Bad news and good news:

Bad news is we have the buzzing sound as well. It sounds just like all the other videos but I'll still try to post the video that I took.

Good news is that it was not annoyingly or embarrassingly loud. The noise is actually is accentuated by the phone in my case although I have no doubt that others are experiencing a louder version.

Bad news is that some people have reported noise initially started out relatively quiet for them and then escalated over time. I'm going to put in a service ticket just to have it on record should it worsen or should a fix come into being.

Neither here nor there news: I asked the person assisting us with the delivery if he was aware of the issue. He said he was but gave corporate line that it was all perfectly normal and nothing at all to worry about: the rest of the vehicle is simply so quiet that you are bound to hear something. Like many here, I'm not entirely buying it.

 

[Franksmartin]

How many people have reported this issue on the form? I’m a bit skeptical that it’s anywhere near as widespread as claimed.

 

[Friscorays]

How many people have reported this issue on the form? I’m a bit skeptical that it’s anywhere near as widespread as claimed.

Do you mean on the forum?
At least 42 here:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ledges-r1s-ac-noise-problem.16133/post-351562

Plus.....
43. Friscorays (me) not that I've taken delivery yesterday.
44. Doormat9634: "I've also heard my R1T make a similar noise. At first, I wasn't certain what was causing it, but I suspected the AC pump, and this thread has reinforced that notion."
45. HarisonAltDelete: "Rivian owner in TX here. I've had this problem for months. It even did it in winter on warm days. Bought my car used with 2k miles in February so it was probably an earlier build."
46. Shap: "Like everyone on this team, I have the AC noise issue."
47. Wiremom: "I picked up my R1S from the Houston SC Saturday and have that noise - there's a loud whine that fluctuates in intensity; I can feel slight vibration in the steering wheel and can clearly hear it in the cabin."

 

[MidnightRivian]

How many people have reported this issue on the form? I’m a bit skeptical that it’s anywhere near as widespread as claimed.

16 people in 24 hours have reported.

This is a bad look for Rivian when their $100,000 vehicle numbs the customers feet and creates a mind numbing noise.

96% of unhappy customers don’t complain, however 91% of those will simply leave and never come back – 1Financial Training services.

A dissatisfied customer will tell between 9-15 people about their experience. Around 13% of dissatisfied customers tell more than 20 people. – White House Office of Consumer Affairs.

Happy customers who get their issue resolved tell about 4-6 people about their experience. – White House Office of Consumer Affair.

It takes 12 positive experiences to make up for one unresolved negative experience – “Understanding Customers” by Ruby Newell-Legner.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2013...should-change-the-business-world-but-haven-t/

 

[MidnightRivian]

Do you mean on the forum?
At least 42 here:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ledges-r1s-ac-noise-problem.16133/post-351562

Plus.....
43. Friscorays (me) not that I've taken delivery yesterday.
44. Doormat9634: "I've also heard my R1T make a similar noise. At first, I wasn't certain what was causing it, but I suspected the AC pump, and this thread has reinforced that notion."
45. HarisonAltDelete: "Rivian owner in TX here. I've had this problem for months. It even did it in winter on warm days. Bought my car used with 2k miles in February so it was probably an earlier build."
46. Shap: "Like everyone on this team, I have the AC noise issue."
47. Wiremom: "I picked up my R1S from the Houston SC Saturday and have that noise - there's a loud whine that fluctuates in intensity; I can feel slight vibration in the steering wheel and can clearly hear it in the cabin."

Here is the Google Doc results. You can use this to cross-reference against your list you made.

Thanks for your help.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...toy4Zm3wxX656wr0SVj76Gz0AJGY_3w/viewanalytics

 

[tusharparmar]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I'm also having this exact same issue. However, I didn't start to have the problem until a couple of weeks ago when I had my windshield replaced by Rivian because of a large crack. Since then, even I've had issues with both the extremely loud fan and in addition I've had issues with the AC not cooling properly, even when the temperatures were in range of other hot days. As an example, this morning left the house from being garage parked when it was in the mid-80's and the AC would just not cool. It has led me to believe that this is some type of sensor not working properly given prior to replacing the windshield we had multiple 90+ days in Texas and I'd never experienced the noise or the fan issue previously. Whether the sensor issue was caused by the replacement or by a change in software I don't know. I have an open ticket with Rivian and waiting to see next steps.

What is your VIN range for reference to the compressor noise issue?

 

[tusharparmar]

I am planning to take delivery in couple days and going for pre delivery inspection tomorrow at Dallas SC.

Can someone please help to list out exact steps to re-produce the issue or steps to ensure whether mine has same noise issue or not?

Thanks, Really appreciate the help.

 

[Friscorays]

I am planning to take delivery in couple days and going for pre delivery inspection tomorrow at Dallas SC.

Can someone please help to list out exact steps to re-produce the issue or steps to ensure whether mine has same noise issue or not?

Thanks, Really appreciate the help.

Turning on the AC and waiting a minute or two did the trick for us in Dallas yesterday.

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