PSA for all Gen 1 owners! Check your carpets for signs of moisture

[onesoil]

At what point does this become a lemon law issue?

Yes, I’m sure many meet the lemon law requirements set forth by their state. Usually a manufacturer would rather initiate a buyback than actually go through official lemon law arbitration (the title becomes salvaged and they still have to take the vehicle back/refund the customer (minus some value for miles used). Having a title with a lemon law record devalues the vehicle significantly more than if they just buy back, fix, and then sell used/auction.

In VT, you only need to meet one of the two criteria—“30 Days Out of Service” is the easiest one for us, since three of four. Those of us unlucky enough to have 3+ repair attempts for the same issue without resolution could fall under the “3-Times-Out” rule (3 or more attempted repairs with issues still persisting). We are technically not protected since businesses with 2+ registered vehicles may not utilize the lemon law protection. I did succeed in having Hyundai buy back an Ioniq 5 with some issues from us (it met the lemon law eligibility requirements), but I think they didn’t know about the business/commercial exemption from lemon law rule.

While I could try this, we love our R1Ts and just want them to work… perhaps this is an excercise in Einstein’s definition of insanity, and I do keep finding myself thinking “gee, I hope this is the last one for a good long time, how could anything else go wrong?).

Though each state has its own lemon law rules, I think they generally follow similar/same criteria being met.

Here’s the VT rule page in case anyone is interested: https://dmv.vermont.gov/enforcement-and-safety/laws/lemon-law/eligibility-requirements

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[Surfari101]

tl;dr - Three of our four 2022/2023 R1Ts so far have wet carpets under the floor mats due to plugged HVAC condensate drain lines. One of them was bricked as a result of this issue. The sooner this is noticed, likely the sooner damage can be avoided. It can be hard to tell under rubber mats, which we all have. I'm not sure if this is limited to Gen 1 trucks, but according to the Service Bulletin, it should be. Check your carpets for inexplicable dampness folks!

On July 13th, my father's 2022 Launch R1T (VIN 5852, May 2022 build) started making a constant dinging sound with a warning on his screen that said "Electrical Hazard Possible - Drive to servbice center immediately. Avoid driving through water."

This was on a Sunday, so I called roadside for him (we happened to be together when it first happened). The soonest they could schedule a tow was the following Wednesday. Over the course of the next day the truck went from driveable (albeit very annoying, with the constant dinging), to being completely bricked. We are about to pick his truck up, but so far it has needed an entire HVAC system replacement, a heater core (which I guess isn't the part of the "HVAC system?"), 12v batteries (and possibly more within that system), a high voltage fuse, and I'm guessing some or all of the carpetting.

Before this official diagnosis, a little research seemed to me to indicate that my dad's truck was having tell-tale signs of a plugged HVAC drain line—something that has a Customer Satisfaction Campaign Bulletin for, but I had not yet noticed rumblings about. I didn't think to check his carpets before it was towed off, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were wet.

My truck was scheduled for an August 1st appointment prior to my father's truck throwing this non-driveable fault—it has had an ongoing problem where none of the proximity sensors work, which we think is a failing AXM module (also I no auto high beams, camp leveling, and I can't update my firmware). After a failed mobile appointment earlier in July (to fix the proximity sensor thing), I had noticed that my front driver's side carpet was wet (when I went to clip my floor mat back in, since the mobile tech had been accessing something under there and forgot to), but I didn't really think anything of it. After the incident with my dad's R1T occurred, I decided I should see if my truck still had wet floors. It sure does! Both the front and rear driver's side carpets are soaked under my rubber mats. This also explains the damp smell that's been going on for around a month (my partner and I had unfairly been attributing this to our toddler's car seat—which I had taken apart and cleaned, which now not surprisingly, hadn't helped with the smell).

So my truck (VIN 10264, a July 2022 build) and my dad's truck likely both have this HVAC drain line problem, but neither one of us have been contacted about it. Our heavy equipment mechanic, who drives a 2023 R1T we provide to him, just checked under his driver's side front rubber mat today, and he also has wet carpeting! We have one more R1T left to check, but the employee who drieves that truck has been on vacation—but so far 3/4 Gen 1 trucks likely have this problem, and none have been flagged yet for proactive repair.

My truck will likely need some/all of the carpeting replaced (I am going to push for all since cobbling together carpet in patches as they've suggested they sometimes do—just addressing the effected quadrant—seems less than ideal). This will be my truck's 5th trip to Chelsea, MA (3+ hour away depending on traffic) in just over a year of ownership (we bought a demo with 10k miles on it). My father's truck has been to Chelsea at least four times, though I think this might be his fifth trip. Two of these trips were due to non-driveable issues. If I didn't love so many things about these trucks, I'd be seriously considering trading mine in and moving on... my dad certainly is. I am glad there are some folks on here who have nearly trouble-free experiences, but with our four trucks, we have a combined 12 (or more?) trips to Chelsea in three years (my truck and the other two have only been purchased/leased for around a year). It's getting hard to justify the unreliability, unfortunately, but I keep telling myself that "maybe this will be the last time we'll have to go to Chelsea before they have an SC closer!" This is probably wishful thinking, unfortunately.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011346-0001.pdf

This happened to my truck (VIN 6291) about 6 months after taking delivery. I regularly noticed the floor was wet under the mats. Took me about three trips to the service center for Rivian to figure it out and after a lot of pushing they fixed the issue and replaced the entire interior flooring as well. Haven't had a issue since then and I check under the mats regularly.

 

[Iatros786]

This happened to my truck (VIN 6291) about 6 months after taking delivery. I regularly noticed the floor was wet under the mats. Took me about three trips to the service center for Rivian to figure it out and after a lot of pushing they fixed the issue and replaced the entire interior flooring as well. Haven't had a issue since then and I check under the mats regularly.

Hey what was the actual issue that the fix finally addressed?

 

[Mathme]

Mine (April 2023 build) is in for this very thing at the moment. We drove it from LA to San Francisco last Sunday and it was 100+ all the way up the Central Valley with the AC running hard and preconditioning the entire time between DCFC stops.

When I pulled the mats out to clean them the next day, the underside of the drivers side was wet. When I scheduled the appointment, it was for 8 days later but the SC was able to get me in two days later. When I dropped it off, the advisor said this is a pretty extensive fix as they have to remove the HVAC system and replace it. He said they also replace the carpets as once they get moldy they are basically done. He did say that this one was caught early, as it it goes on for a while, it can get into the HV battery and brick the truck.

 

[onesoil]

Mine (April 2023 build) is in for this very thing at the moment. We drove it from LA to San Francisco last Sunday and it was 100+ all the way up the Central Valley with the AC running hard and preconditioning the entire time between DCFC stops.

When I pulled the mats out to clean them the next day, the underside of the drivers side was wet. When I scheduled the appointment, it was for 8 days later but the SC was able to get me in two days later. When I dropped it off, the advisor said this is a pretty extensive fix as they have to remove the HVAC system and replace it. He said they also replace the carpets as once they get moldy they are basically done. He did say that this one was caught early, as it it goes on for a while, it can get into the HV battery and brick the truck.

I'm glad you were able to get such prompt service, and didn't have to go through the truck bricking like my dad's did. Given the severe (and costly) consequences for not addressing this early, I can't believe that the soonest available appointment for our third truck with this issue was the end of October... I'm definitely going to do my best to escalate the issue to get it in sooner. It seems like this problem can cause a lot of other issues, and I'm not even sure if Rivian is yet aware of the other downstream consequences of leaving this unadressed for long may be.

I'm not sure how long mine was having this issue, but I have had lack of proximity/radar (the error reads “Driver assistance features unavailable”) for a couple months now, and a smelly interior for about as long as (based on my recollection, no firm dates that I can recall). My father's truck started flashing this same warning on the trip back from the SC (). It started intermittently for me, but eventually was constant—which means no Driver+, no cruise control, no safety/parking aid features, no auto high beams, etc. My dad's has been intermittent for the past week since his truck has been back, but seems to be trending towards being constant.

Prior to my discovery of the wet carpets (and knowledge about the issue due to my father's trucks problems), I had two mobile attempts to repair my proximity sensor fault. I first noticed the wet mats then, but didn't know to think anything of it, but the mobile tech apparently didn't either, since he had been working under the driver's door sill (which was why I noticed the wet carpet, since I was clipping my all-weather mat back in). After the second visit, remote diagnostics determined that I had a failed AXM module (Autonomy Experience Module), which has resulted in the lack of driver assistance features, as well as an inibility to update to the newest firmware. I believe this module is in the upper part of the passenger footwell, so it seems possible/likely to me that it was damaged due to the HVAC drain backing up, given that they replace insulation around there when this issue arrises. The fact that we have two trucks of similar age with the exact same series of symptoms (HVAC drain plugged, wet mats, failing AXM module) to me suggests that the one issue can lead to the other.

I haven't heard others mention the AXM module concern, so hopefully ours are just flukes, but if your truck is in for this HVAC problem right now, I would specifically request they inspect the AXM module for corrosion and/or full function. I should know more in a few days once my truck is actually in the shop (currently it's sitting in the parking lot at the SC, where it's been since last Monday).

 

[Underwhirled]

Just scheduled a SC visit as I have noticed a substantial amount of water under my floor mat.

 

[tbadd475]

I am going back for my third visit this summer. In June, I noticed that my carpets were wet, and I got into the service center a few days later on June 4th. They said they'd have to rip out the dash and replace the HVAC. They provided a loaner R1T (Forest Green interior always has me jealous). Got my truck back a week later—new carpets and all.

Just a few days later, right around July 4th, while cleaning the truck, I noticed moisture under my front driver-side all-weather mat again, same slight oval shape as before. I was able to take it back to service at the end of July (23rd), and they had it for 18 days, but only actively worked on it for 2- 3. They provided me with a rental (Silverado EV, HUGE, and an R1T loaner later). I was told that should do it: new carpets and a hefty warranty-covered parts invoice. I did not feel confident.

Fast forward to a week (Aug 20) after getting my truck back the second time. After some extensive driving in hot weather, I decided to retake a look under the mats. Sure enough, the moisture ring was back. I've called service and they can get me in soonish, Sep 9th. Just frustrating that this is the third time. I don't want to call it a lemon, but it's certainly feeling that way. Also, I'm wondering if it's just my service center not taking the time to fix the issue properly, or if it's a huge design flaw. Rivian needs to address this with the volume of vehicles it's happening to.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

Mine is going back for the same issue… again… next Thursday. A friend of mine just took his in today. Apparently the HVAC boxes are hard to come by right now due to supply chain / tariff constraints.
I hope they figure a way out to fix this.

 

[Matt D.]

Has anyone with this issues had it permanently fixed? My R1S is going to have to go back in for another try soon…

 

[Ilovejunebugs]

Has anyone with this issues had it permanently fixed? My R1S is going to have to go back in for another try soon…

My truck had this issue and had the HVAC assembly and front carpets replaced and new (or upgraded, not sure which) drain valve plug installed July 2024. Has been fine ever since.

 

[onesoil]

Fast forward to a week (Aug 20) after getting my truck back the second time. After some extensive driving in hot weather, I decided to retake a look under the mats. Sure enough, the moisture ring was back. I've called service and they can get me in soonish, Sep 9th. Just frustrating that this is the third time. I don't want to call it a lemon, but it's certainly feeling that way. Also, I'm wondering if it's just my service center not taking the time to fix the issue properly, or if it's a huge design flaw. Rivian needs to address this with the volume of vehicles it's happening to.

Mine is going back for the same issue… again… next Thursday. A friend of mine just took his in today. Apparently the HVAC boxes are hard to come by right now due to supply chain / tariff constraints.
I hope they figure a way out to fix this.

Has anyone with this issues had it permanently fixed? My R1S is going to have to go back in for another try soon…

This is an alarming trend so far in this thread (people who have had this problem persist with multiple HVAC assembly replacements). I can't imagine how expensive these replacements would be out of warranty, but having to tear apart the whole interior of the truck and reassemble is obviously quite time consuming and invasive. They broke my windshield in the process of doing this work last week (my truck is still away), which may be rare, but likely points to how involved the job is.

The strange thing to me, is that this didn't seem to be an issue (at least not one I've heard of) for at least a few years. My Father's 2022 Launch Edition didn't have this problem to our knowledge until now. My 2022 hasn't up until now, and it too has presumably had at least two hot/humid summers (I say presumably because I don't know much about its history for the first 10k miles/2 years since it was a Demo, and have now personally had this truck for almost two hot/humid VT summers). I really hope they have some design revision rather than just put the same faulty part in, but with all these reports of repeat failures in a short period of time, it almsost doesn't seem like that's the case

 

[ebellinder2]

Noticed wet carpet on my Aug 2022 build R1t. Service wanted it in sooner than later appt made for three days out. When checking in at SC told entire hvac module would be replaced even though phone tech said it would be an hour and I could wait. Communication gap!. Going on week three without the vehicle. Week one was advised on Tuesday parts had arrived and truck should be ready next day. When not hearing anythng I started calling learned a fastener had sheared and needed to be towed to approved body shop for weld repair. Truck back to SC week two while reinstalling hvac module a second fastener failed towed back to body shop a second time and still there. To top it off I drive by the body shop as it is a block from my son’s home and truck is outdoor in an unfenced lot unlocked with door handles extended. That did not make my day so I spoke with after hours Rivian support and learned I needed to drive back to my truck and take it out of service mode so I could lock it. I did this and now the truck is outdoors but locked. Service has been great but Rivian communication still seriously lacking. Service is now updating me daily since I will call until I get a response if I don’t get an update. I do have a Rivian supplied rental through all of this. Have to say I love the truck but the complexity of repairs is very concerning. Will update when I get the truck back.

 

[NoGoingBack]

I want to thank you onesoil for bringing this to my attention. Your post saved me a lot of potential hassle if I had not noticed this. I felt under my mats and thought I felt a little dampness but there was no condensation and it wasn’t soaked. Thought maybe I was being paranoid but since I already had an appointment to have my right rear dampener replaced, I mentioned this to the service guy and asked if we could check. I didn’t have a lot of moisture yet, but there was some. When he found it, they added the full replacement service. Got my truck back Friday. Took one week to get the additional parts and get it done. Have to say the Cleveland service center knocked it out of the park. They have been great every time I’ve had an issue and always get my truck back to me as soon as possible, usually same day.

 

[LL75]

This is a known issue even though it never happened to both my rivians. They did replace the HVAC plugs when we brought the vehicles in for other services.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

Crazy thing for me is last October, I had this issue and the service center changed out the HVAC and all the carpets in the front.
Back in April, I went to the service center for something unrelated and they added in the HVAC drain plug for a service bulletin.
4 weeks ago, my carpet started getting soaked again. All on the left side, more or less under the brake pedal and back to the seat.
While I await my service visit Thursday, I’m keeping the all weather mat off that side on hot days, wet vac when I can and sprinkle baking soda under the mat whenever I reinstall it. I have a 3 hour drive to the SC… got to mitigate the chance of the car smelling like a HS locker room.

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