Problems with New Car

[RivianPVE]

Congrats on the vehicle, and sorry you're experiencing this.

I'm actually in a similar boat. Took delivery on May 18th and the car has been in the shop since. On the drive home from the SC, I ran into a suspension error/failure where my R1S couldn't get out of Sports mode.

Had it towed to the nearest SC (thankfully 5 mins away), and nearly 3 weeks later I'm still waiting for the SC to receive a part from Normal, IL so they can fix the issue. Paying for a lease I can't drive, and it's been close to 3 weeks now.

First car was a Honda, second car a Subaru, and 3 BMWs later.. finally tried a new brand. I'm still in love with the brand and what they stand for, but geez can they just get their quality control down already?!

I hear you. Sorry you are experiencing the same thing. I guess it’s to be expected with a spanking new car company but rationality goes out the window when you don’t see your new car in the garage ? Hope you have better news soon!

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[CANCERDOC]

I recognize the El Segundo service center in that picture.

I’m on my second R1S now. First one had a drive motor failure two blocks from the service center after taking delivery (literally drove it 200’feet) and was eventually a manufacturers buyback and replaced with an identical R1S, which was delivered with a broken front passenger front seatbelt upper anchor. Rivian told me to not have any front seat passenger sit there, just in case.

On delivery day, they told me oh just make an appt on the app which gave me an appt 2 months later. It took a week of calling service to convince them to let me drop it off for urgent repairs. Well it’s been a week and when I called back they said oh no one has worked on it yet. Spoke again to a manager who said oh we will assign someone now and let you know.

This is my second R1S. The first one was driven by me for minutes before it went back in the shop for 6 weeks before buyback and replacement. Now the second one is in the shop and essentially undrivable unless I went to force my wife to sit in the backseat like I’m an Uber driver. Rivian needs to do better than this. Their pre delivery inspection appears to be non existent and their service dept obviously overwhelmed.

 

[RivianPVE]

I recognize the El Segundo service center in that picture.

I’m on my second R1S now. First one had a drive motor failure two blocks from the service center after taking delivery (literally drove it 200’feet) and was eventually a manufacturers buyback and replaced with an identical R1S, which was delivered with a broken front passenger front seatbelt upper anchor. Rivian told me to not have any front seat passenger sit there, just in case.

On delivery day, they told me oh just make an appt on the app which gave me an appt 2 months later. It took a week of calling service to convince them to let me drop it off for urgent repairs. Well it’s been a week and when I called back they said oh no one has worked on it yet. Spoke again to a manager who said oh we will assign someone now and let you know.

This is my second R1S. The first one was driven by me for minutes before it went back in the shop for 6 weeks before buyback and replacement. Now the second one is in the shop and essentially undrivable unless I went to force my wife to sit in the backseat like I’m an Uber driver. Rivian needs to do better than this. Their pre delivery inspection appears to be non existent and their service dept obviously overwhelmed.

OMG. I’m so sorry to hear that. Now I’m scared they might keep my car for an extended period of time. Maybe I should bring my car back and take it back to them when they are actually going to work on it.

I agree they currently have no quality control before delivery. They did mention that more service centers are coming to the LA area.

 

[NorthVan57]

Sorry you all have a poor experience, I’m 7 months in with my launch edition R1S. I have been on multiple road trips, off-roading, ski trips etc, no issues at all, first week of ownership noticed shimmy in wheel at 100km/ hr also and rock cracked windshield, called service center and windshield replaced, shimmy in steering wheel fixed and spare tire installed week later, since then, the most amazing vehicle I have ever owned( mostly Hondas in past) . I change drive modes multiple times/ day depending on road conditions, drive the hell out of the car , and so far I believe this is the most advanced and versatile vehicle there is available right now, you all need to find a better service center, the one in vancouver is excellent!

 

[sirna7]

Sorry you all have a poor experience, I’m 7 months in with my launch edition R1S. I have been on multiple road trips, off-roading, ski trips etc, no issues at all, first week of ownership noticed shimmy in wheel at 100km/ hr also and rock cracked windshield, called service center and windshield replaced, shimmy in steering wheel fixed and spare tire installed week later, since then, the most amazing vehicle I have ever owned( mostly Hondas in past) . I change drive modes multiple times/ day depending on road conditions, drive the hell out of the car , and so far I believe this is the most advanced and versatile vehicle there is available right now, you all need to find a better service center, the one in vancouver is excellent!

Did service center replace rockchipped windshield for free?

 

[Yossarian]

Very sorry to hear of the OP's issues and to learn of several others who've had similar experiences. I took delivery of an R1T just two days ago and thankfully, my encounter with both the vehicle and the delivery center has been first rate. This is not say the vehicle was perfect at delivery; it wasn't, but the issues are quite minor. I expect that they will be easily resolved when the truck goes to the SC, although that appointment is nearly two months in the future.

As far as Rivian Guides are concerned, I had to be proactive with mine. That means I had to actively reach out to schedule phone calls, and follow up with emails and texts. My Guide was pleasant, and sort of helpful, but I got the distinct impression that he was overwhelmed with work. Perhaps not a surprise with Rivian doing what it can to get vehicles out the door, but that's no excuse for poor customer service.

I had a much more positive interaction with the delivery center, and the Sr Field Guide who handled my purchase. I spent the more than two hours with the guide, going over the car (I had a checklist) and having him run me through the various features and operations. I actually apologized to the guide for taking so much of his time, but he would have none of that, and said he greatly preferred working with customers who were interested in the details over those who just wanted to get in the vehicle and head out ASAP.

I had a reasonably long drive home from the delivery center, about 140 miles, with a mix of interstate, old US highway and county roads. The R1T was awesome and ran flawlessly, which I hope is harbinger of how things will work out in the long run.

I really think Rivian is trying, and hope that the OP and the other folks with issues, have them resolved quickly and satisfactorily.

 

[NorthVan57]

Did service center replace rockchipped windshield for free?

No, insurance paid for replacement minus deductible.

 

[CANCERDOC]

OMG. I’m so sorry to hear that. Now I’m scared they might keep my car for an extended period of time. Maybe I should bring my car back and take it back to them when they are actually going to work on it.

I agree they currently have no quality control before delivery. They did mention that more service centers are coming to the LA area.

I think their service queue is backed up wherever you go. It’s not like a traditional dealer where they will work on the car immediately. Expect to leave the vehicle for a while and they will provide a loaner or a rental. It’s the cost of going with a young and under resourced company.

 

[RivianRunner]

I think their service queue is backed up wherever you go. It’s not like a traditional dealer where they will work on the car immediately. Expect to leave the vehicle for a while and they will provide a loaner or a rental. It’s the cost of going with a young and under resourced company.

If a dealership will work on your car immediately, it's most likely because their terrible business practices have driven all their regular customers off to independent shops. The best shops in my area are often backed up a month or more.

 

[CANCERDOC]

If a dealership will work on your car immediately, it's most likely because their terrible business practices have driven all their regular customers off to independent shops. The best shops in my area are often backed up a month or more.

I’ve owned many different brands of vehicles and I have never had a case where if you bring the vehicle in for a scheduled appointment they let the vehicle sit for a week or two without an update. Yes appointments may be scarce but that’s the point of an appointment. You make a time to bring it in where they reserve the slot to actually work on the vehicle.

 

[RivianRunner]

I’ve owned many different brands of vehicles and I have never had a case where if you bring the vehicle in for a scheduled appointment they let the vehicle sit for a week or two without an update. Yes appointments may be scarce but that’s the point of an appointment. You make a time to bring it in where they reserve the slot to actually work on the vehicle.

That's true, but it's not uncommon for the jobs a shop have lined up to grow in scope and delay the completion of recent arrivals.

It's not easy to run a car shop, in part because you never know how long a job will actually take.

 

[shap]

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice…this is the known risk for buying a startup vehicle. Why don’t you just go with an X7?

X7 is definitely a better option unless you really want EV. X7 is amazing car, performance, steering, handling . No off road, but otherwise one of the best cars. I put aside depreciation and maintainance cost.

 

[shap]

I believe they are coming out with an EV version for the X7 in 2026-2027. I would probably opt for a PHEV variant over the R1S and that’s not to say the R1S isn’t good (I’m considering leasing a Gen2) but as an owner of the iX, I can tell you that it’s been a very stress-free experience. No issues thus far, whisper quiet, smooth and comfortable, has the heat pump, Apple Car Play with its own great in-house Navi system, etc.

Good info - I am thinking about buying a used iX 50. BTW, if you have any advice on this - will be much appreciated. What to look for, etc.

BTW, curious about steering - how is steering iniX vs Rivian in your opinion?

 

[R1Sky Business]

Cue all the people with no issues for 30k+ miles...

Enabler

 

[Chrisy]

I’ve owned many different brands of vehicles and I have never had a case where if you bring the vehicle in for a scheduled appointment they let the vehicle sit for a week or two without an update. Yes appointments may be scarce but that’s the point of an appointment. You make a time to bring it in where they reserve the slot to actually work on the vehicle.

A bit off-topic but it happened to my Ford.
They took at the appointment. Sit on 2 weeks to finally start to asses the damage and turns out the first assessment was incorrect so they had to order new parts. Which took to get over a week.at which point the technician was working on something else, etc etc.
All in all the dealership hold my truck for 4 months!! And I could not get it back as they cut the body open in the 2nd week or so...

Anyways, my point is that everyone has a different experience

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