BRAND NEW 2024 R1S AC DOESN’T WORK

[RLG84]

I wanted to post this as a warning to others considering this vehicle as well as for advice.
Picked up my new 2024 RS1 Quad Motor Max Adventure on Saturday 06/08.

The guide pointed out our air conditioner was abnormally loud but since the car is brand new & was in park it would kick in and start working correctly once I started driving. It was cold outside that morning so the cabin seemed cool to me on the way home and I turned it off.

The following day we drove an hour inland with our 1 & 3 year old children and this is when we realized the air conditioner defiantly didn’t kick in or correct itself. It’s blowing room temp air, and yes we have made sure the settings are correct! It’s also humming very loud the car sounds like it’s struggling. We aren’t in a crazy climate we are in Los Angeles not the desert. We drove home in a hot car, on a hot day both children sweating to the point we were worried about them we had the windows down no doubt but on a busy freeway on a hot day it wasn’t ideal. Not only is this a HUGE safety issue with children but it’s something that should never happen when you lease a brand new car with an MSRP of $90K. At the very least the car should be tested for this problem before it leaves the lot by someone before we make the 45 minute drive to pick up the car only to have to return it because it doesn’t work. It’s not a problem that wasn’t obvious based on the guide pointing out it was making a loud noise.

I’ll spare details of all the annoying things that happened since but from what I’ve heard from friends (I have 3 friends with this car all with separate issues currently) is that the service centers are backed up and take weeks to fix. So I basically pay for my first months lease of the car only to not have any car because they delivered me a lemon.

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[CharonPDX]

I'd contact Audi for help with a faulty RS1.

Now if you mean a Rivian R1S, then contact Rivian support.

P.S. Los Angeles is the desert.

Yes, it sucks, yes, Rivian will make it right. But people survived in cars without AC for decades. *EVERY* car brand has the occasional lemon that makes it all the way to delivery unnoticed. Even Rolls Royce, McLaren, and Bugatti.

Have you actually contacted Rivian support? Have they given you a time estimate? Or are you just guessing? Because for a brand new delivery, they might just swap you to another brand-new vehicle rather than send yours in for repair.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Bring this up to Rivian corporate / the local service manager and they have spots available to bring you in earlier for issues like this.

I am guessing your refrigerant levels are probably not where they should be.

 

[djsider2]

a/c is crucial and they should definitely bring you in earlier. That still might mean you have to wait 1 week to get the car back though...

 

[RLG84]

I'd contact Audi for help with a faulty RS1.

Now if you mean a Rivian R1S, then contact Rivian support.

P.S. Los Angeles is the desert.

Yes, it sucks, yes, Rivian will make it right. But people survived in cars without AC for decades. *EVERY* car brand has the occasional lemon that makes it all the way to delivery unnoticed. Even Rolls Royce, McLaren, and Bugatti.

Have you actually contacted Rivian support? Have they given you a time estimate? Or are you just guessing? Because for a brand new delivery, they might just swap you to another brand-new vehicle rather than send yours in for repair.

I'd contact Audi for help with a faulty RS1.

Now if you mean a Rivian R1S, then contact Rivian support.

P.S. Los Angeles is the desert.

Yes, it sucks, yes, Rivian will make it right. But people survived in cars without AC for decades. *EVERY* car brand has the occasional lemon that makes it all the way to delivery unnoticed. Even Rolls Royce, McLaren, and Bugatti.

Have you actually contacted Rivian support? Have they given you a time estimate? Or are you just guessing? Because for a brand new delivery, they might just swap you to another brand-new vehicle rather than send yours in for repair.

Bring this up to Rivian corporate / the local service manager and they have spots available to bring you in earlier for issues like this.

I am guessing your refrigerant levels are probably not where they should be.

There is no way to contact Rivian Corporate. Only a customer service number, email & chat. I’ve spoken with 5 people not to get into detail but yes they will take the car at the service center and they can’t guarantee a time length since they don’t know what the issue you,

Yes I am aware that people used to drive without air conditioner but it’s 2024 and if I’m paying for a $90K car advertised with climate control I would expect it to have exactly that .. climate control.

We live in Santa Monica .. Not Palm Springs and I point this out because from reading forums from people with the same issue , many are in places where the temp is 100+ and they suspected the extreme heat created strain when cooling. I point this out because anyone familiar with this area knows the temp is not extreme enough to cause this issue.

 

[rpo]

There is no way to contact Rivian Corporate. Only a customer service number, email & chat. I’ve spoken with 5 people not to get into detail but yes they will take the car at the service center and they can’t guarantee a time length since they don’t know what the issue you,

Yes I am aware that people used to drive without air conditioner but it’s 2024 and if I’m paying for a $90K car advertised with climate control I would expect it to have exactly that .. climate control.

We live in Santa Monica .. Not Palm Springs and I point this out because from reading forums from people with the same issue , many are in places where the temp is 100+ and they suspected the extreme heat created strain when cooling. I point this out because anyone familiar with this area knows the temp is not extreme enough to cause this issue.

Customer service is the corporate #. They will fix the AC.....just like any other car manufacturer would.

 

[djsider2]

You'll have to bring it in and no, they won't be able to promise anything. The bringing it in part is the part that people wait months for. Just force them to take it and get into the service center queue. These things happen, but they will make the car right, and you'll only lose a week hopefully.

 

[MidnightRivian]

There is no way to contact Rivian Corporate. Only a customer service number, email & chat. I’ve spoken with 5 people not to get into detail but yes they will take the car at the service center and they can’t guarantee a time length since they don’t know what the issue you,

Yes I am aware that people used to drive without air conditioner but it’s 2024 and if I’m paying for a $90K car advertised with climate control I would expect it to have exactly that .. climate control.

We live in Santa Monica .. Not Palm Springs and I point this out because from reading forums from people with the same issue , many are in places where the temp is 100+ and they suspected the extreme heat created strain when cooling. I point this out because anyone familiar with this area knows the temp is not extreme enough to cause this issue.

Just drop it off for service and let them give you a loaner or you can use the 7 day return policy and get your money back.

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-return-policy-on-a-rivian-vehicle

Note: leased vehicles are not eligible for the Return Policy.

 

[djsider2]

7 day return policy

This is a thing?

 

[MidnightRivian]

This is a thing?

Yes for buy and no for lease.

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-return-policy-on-a-rivian-vehicle

What is the return policy on a Rivian vehicle?
If your vehicle does not meet your needs, you have 7 days or 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) to return it — whichever comes first. Simply reach out to your delivery team and start the return process.

Rivian Return Policy eligibility requirements:

1. Vehicle without modifications or damage and in the condition you received it, normal wear and tear excepted
2. Odometer reads less than 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) when returned to Rivian
3. Vehicle is accident-free
4. New Vehicle Limited Warranty is not void or voidable
5. Vehicle must be in the legal and physical possession of the original purchaser
6. Any loss for foregone government incentives for a new vehicle purchase may offset the repurchase price

Note: leased vehicles are not eligible for the Return Policy.

 

[COdogman]

I know it’s annoying when a brand new vehicle needs to be fixed so soon but they will get you taken care of.

When I was young way back in the stone ages of the late 70s, early 80s, my parents could only afford old cars with no AC. I survived with only partial brain damage, which I added to later in life by playing rugby for 12 years and drinking heavily. Your family Will be ok

 

[djsider2]

OP leased, but that return policy looks useful.

 

[Mathme]

The AC coolant in the passenger compartment is integrated into the battery cooling system as well. Thus, I'd:

Refile the ticket and state that the AC does not blow cold air. It was suspect at pickup and now is definitely not blowing cold air. Also indicate that you concern is that this same coolant provides cooling for the battery and you are concerned this could be a possible safety hazard because it could cause a runaway battery fire on your car.

I'd suspect that'd get their attention.

 

[RLG84]

The AC coolant in the passenger compartment is integrated into the battery cooling system as well. Thus, I'd:

Refile the ticket and state that the AC does not blow cold air. It was suspect at pickup and now is definitely not blowing cold air. Also indicate that you concern is that this same coolant provides cooling for the battery and you are concerned this could be a possible safety hazard because it could cause a runaway battery fire on your car.

I'd suspect that'd get their attention.

Thank you this is very helpful information and exactly what I was posting for

 

[ForestNSea]

Oof. So sorry. We have an R1S that we picked up in April. A few tips on AC with kids in case you have not tried/discovered this yet; you probably have but these helped my family a ton.

-make sure middle row and rear vents are on (wavy blue lines) and turned on full blast.
***you have to click on the vents manually and also adjust the fan speed.
This part I find annoying because I need to reset the mid and rear vents often. Hopefully that will come in an update soon. So far, I do not think there’s an AC memory setting.
-Make sure drivers temp is set to LOW.
-The AC is loud on high but the car usually cools down within 5 mins this way. Then I turn the fan down a notch or two and sound goes away. Once the car is cool enough, you will adjust the temp back up (we like 68-70ish).
-also, double check that the middle screen is locked. It is super fun for kids to “help” adjust the wrong way and then we all sweat. Even with teens, I had to check this on a hot day when we were learning the R1S interface. My kids had turned it to 80 degree in the back the night before because it was cold. it stayed there & was making the whole car hot even though the front ac was set to low and blasting. Lol
-I also try to remember to set my AC to start running a few mins before we will be driving when it’s hot out!

I know I had to play around with settings for awhile before I dialed it in. I didn’t realize that I needed to manually turn on middle and rear vents!

I drove to Utah, Arizona, & Nevada with 6 teenage girls a few weeks ago for an 8th grade trip. Let me tell you that I learned really quick to use the precool setting. Hahaha! It was 100+ in Nevada. Rivian AC worked like a champ with a precool! We do live in San Diego and it’s been warm here too!

i hope that helps. If not, keep calling the service center. Or just show up to ask if it’s close enough. They will fit you in and get it taken care of. We had a very small alignment service after delivery and after repeated inquiries, they got us in quick.

Hope you get it sorted asap! It the most fun car my husband and I have ever driven!

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