What Can I Do Without Voiding Original Warranties?

[R1DEW/ME]

Just recently purchased a used 2023 R1S that still had the original warranties intact from previous owner(verified via vin # with Rivian support). I absolutely love the car and want to make it my own and suite our families needs but also with a (if bought) new price tag of 100K I don’t want to do something that could potentially bite me in the butt later on.

I have never had a vehicle that I have wanted to make my own as much as this Rivian and was wondering what general do’s/dont’s are, that would void warranty.

So far the only addition I have made is an Apple car play capable screen from EVsportline that does use a fuse tap to control its power on/off as the car senses a key.

I do intend on adding running boards to make it easier for the wife and kids to get into and exit but worry since that requires removing or cutting a precision whole in the underbody plate that would be a big no no.

So any advice from experienced DIY’ers or those who understand the intricacies of warranty loopholes that protect dealers or consumers alike would be much appreciated!

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[Dark-Fx]

Boards/sliders don't require cutting anything. You can just keep the panels removed. They aren't protection for the battery, or any other equipment.

 

[connoisseurr]

I think a great place for you to start is understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and how aftermarket parts and modifications can only void warranties if they become the direct cause of issues/problems.

 

[SwampNut]

In the US, there's no such thing as a blanket "void your warranty" other than extreme situations like a collision, or sticking your vehicle in a river and filling it. A specific item may not be covered if it can be shown that it was caused by a modification. For example, if you use the aftermarket CCS to NACS adapters and then have a broken charge connector, they could find that to be related. But if you do that and then have a broken motor, they cannot.

 

[R1Thor]

As others are mentioning, but to put into broader terms: if it's an aftermarket accessory, it's fair game.

The only things that would be warranty-concerning is if you modified any non-consumable/wear-item part of the OEM vehicle itself. So, 12V Batteries? Brakes? Tires? All fair game so long as they're replaced with a compatible spec.

What wouldn't be covered? Well, if you tried to hack your computer, or decided to muck with the HV Architecture. Rivian would probably tell you to go pound sand if you had a warranty claim after jumping your truck over the Grand Canyon Evel KNieval style...

Things like your aftermarket head unit are fine, so long as they follow all of the appropriate circuit protection guidelines (like in your case, it's using a fused fuse-tap, that's perfect.

Adding sliders or running boards are fine**. If you decided to modify the panels for aesthetics, that's fine too. The caveat would be that if somehow those broke or became unmaintainable, clearly those wouldn't carry a warranty. But Rivian wouldn't, for example, "void your warranty" on your suspension or chassis because you installed steps even if you did cut the body panels (unless somehow you redneck cut it with a sawzall while it was still on the vehicle and managed to do something really silly).

TL;DR: use common sense, only use aftermarket parts you trust, and foremost ENJOY YOUR VEHICLE!!

**One thing to bear in mind is that SOME owners have been asked to either remove their steps/sliders before dropping their vehicle for service, or are potentially on the hook for the labor associated with removal to work on the battery and certain suspension componentry that requires removing adjacent panels. THAT said, MOST vehicles haven't needed these services, so your odds are very low.

 

[R1DEW/ME]

Awesome I appreciate all the responses. I will definitely look into that Act and start see what all my options are. From what everyone has said, seems to be we have a particular level of freedom on adding or modding without directly changing the internals or core components.

I have no concern for charger adapter because have always gone elsewhere.
I will keep in mind removing my mods before a service on the off chance they will charge me extra labor.

Thank you all for the replies! ?

 

[narmstrong79]

Boards/sliders don't require cutting anything. You can just keep the panels removed. They aren't protection for the battery, or any other equipment.

I want to put running boards on mine, but i live in new England and the salt used on roads during winter typically rust the under body of cars here, so I would rather have the plastic covers on at all times.

 

[TollKeeper]

I want to put running boards on mine, but i live in new England and the salt used on roads during winter typically rust the under body of cars here, so I would rather have the plastic covers on at all times.

You can modify those plastic protectors to still be in place, with your running boards. At least I was able to with the set I bought.

 

[Hillbilly]

Not that I can contribute with anything other than an observation, but I've modded all my other vehicles (powertrains, suspensions, exhausts, etc) and was somewhat relieved to get the rivian and think to myself that it's just fine as is.

 

[R1DEW/ME]

You can modify those plastic protectors to still be in place, with your running boards. At least I was able to with the set I bought.

Would that by chance be the EV Sportline ones?

 

[TollKeeper]

No, the Hanneshow ones

 

[RealWheelsEV Bean]

I want to put running boards on mine, but i live in new England and the salt used on roads during winter typically rust the under body of cars here, so I would rather have the plastic covers on at all times.

Not sure if you have purchased running boards already or not, but our RealWheels EV running boards are 100% 304 stainless steel, so they will not rust, pit, or corrode. Additionally, we provide instructions on how to install with a fine fit so you're only cutting the panels very little.

-Bean

 

[thrill]

...Rivian would probably tell you to go pound sand if you had a warranty claim after jumping your truck over the Grand Canyon Evel KNieval style...

Unless you survive that one, in which case you get a Gary badge with a jetpack.

 

[DD4ST]

While not a warranty issue, I do recall some on this forum stating the SC would not do lifting work with aftermarket running boards installed, or they would charge a lot to remove them. I am guessing that is because of the liability of damaging the running boards. Just something to be aware of. I don’t have running boards so can’t speak from experience.

 

[narmstrong79]

Not sure if you have purchased running boards already or not, but our RealWheels EV running boards are 100% 304 stainless steel, so they will not rust, pit, or corrode. Additionally, we provide instructions on how to install with a fine fit so you're only cutting the panels very little.

-Bean

Thanks, I'm sure they're decent I am not looking to buy a set at this point maybe in the future. Unless you want to send me a set to give a youtube review on

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