My R1S both damaged @ inside door panel -- Design flaw?

[Jay565]

Hi guys,

Anyone else have this issue? Please check both your rear passenger doors, on the inside panel is there a small indent? I have two R1S’s. I just took the launch edition in to service, see the peeling on picture? At exactly the same spot on the opposite door there is an indent beginning see picture. As always Rivian service El Segundo was super cool and agreed to fix the torn one, though they couldn’t find out why it happened.
Now today I checked our new R1S just less than 1 week old and there is a small indent already developing, interesting thing is the side its developing on the seatbelt is loose as my child is in a booster. The opposite side has no issue but I’ve attached the seatbelt permanently to secure the car seat. So it seems like wherever the seatbelt is resting may be creating this issue in just less than a week, seems like a design flaw?
Anyone else with kids in back seat notice this on their doors?

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[Dark-Fx]

Looks like you are closing the door on something.

 

[Jay565]

Looks like you are closing the door on something.

Yeah I am thinking its the seatbelt, but its the exact same height on all doors, so seems like a design flaw. It’s not like we are doing anything special with the seatbelt just taking it on and off it should retract out of the way like other cars but seems like maybe its not always doing that. Thats why I’m wondering if other have this same issue since I have in 2 cars. If others have the issue to then thats a design flaw.

 

[electruck]

I don't have that issue. Also don't have kids. It should be repairable but I wouldn't bother until you can figure out what's causing it. No need to spend money fixing something that's just going to happen again.

 

[CrazyOne]

Happened to me once on the rear door of R1T. I think the retractors a little weak.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Since my 8 year old has the uncanny ability to find any flaws in anything we want to keep nice, I'll seat belt her in from now on. It's what any caring parent would do

 

[tobyringle]

Just checked our doors on our R1S....and sure enough there are indents on the door as well (no tears). Seems the doors are pressing/slamming against the seat belt connector as it rests, even when fully retracted. You will have to go out of your way to avoid the resting seatbelt from coming into contact with the closed door. Thanks for the heads up....will have to get creative on how to avoid further marring.

 

[electruck]

Perhaps a seat belt clip would prevent the buckle from sliding down low enough to get caught in the door?

 

[Jay565]

Perhaps a seat belt clip would prevent the buckle from sliding down low enough to get caught in the door?

This is great idea, but would it also hinder it being buckled in properly?

 

[Jay565]

So I’m reading other brands have had similar issues including BMW. It is poor design, maybe not a flaw. I’m thinking of trying out buttons that stop the metal from sliding down not sure how it’ll work. Among the many things kids can be blamed for, I can’t say this is really their fault
Oh well it’s another thing my wife will point out that her X5 didn’t do.
Though it also doesn’t go 0-60 3.0 sec, 100% electric, no oil change burden, unlocks with a phone, GPS actually functions well, storage galore, safer, 7 seats, all kinds of tech, but to her all those benefits are for the birds.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Among the many things kids can be blamed for, I can’t say this is really their fault

I think it's a side effect of throwing the belt off of you instead of just letting it retract after being released. Belt gets folded over and the retraction spring isn't strong enough to overcome that.

 

[Jay565]

I think it's a side effect of throwing the belt off of you instead of just letting it retract after being released. Belt gets folded over and the retraction spring isn't strong enough to overcome that.

probably you’re right but I’ve owned three cars before this with kids and never seen this issue. It is what it is. I’m glad Rivian was nice enough to fix the car as a one time courtesy I’ll just have to figure out what exactly is causing the issue and how to solve it. At least I’ve narrowed it down to the seatbelt.

 

[electruck]

This is great idea, but would it also hinder it being buckled in properly?

Not at all so long as the buckle is able to remain on one side of the clip/button.

I only have a bag clip handy but I think it demonstrates what I was suggesting:

Still, I don't really see how the buckle ever gets pinched in the first place. If the belt is fully retracted, it natuarally lays inside the door. And the built in loop that serves as a stop for the buckle should keep the buckle much higher than the area of the door with damage as pictured earlier in this thread.

 

[Ric G]

Only had ours a month and I just checked the door panels. Sure enough, the passenger side which gets used the most has an indent and tear into the vinyl.

 

[Jay565]

Yeah dude sorry, talk to the service center nicely refer to my pictures, this is poor design and as more R1S’s come out its gonna happen a lot. I also noticed the retracting gets stuck a lot on the seat. I’m sure by the Winter we will see lots more of these indents and eventual tearing.

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