Urgent Help: Software Update Blocked on Rare So Flo Rivian

[JetFalcon]

I’m reaching out because my So Flo Customs Rivian (one of only two built) has been out of service for months. The car is fully repaired, but it cannot operate because the service center is refusing to perform a software update required for the airbag that operates the ride height suspension.

Despite having a third-party technician with years of experience on-site, the Costa Mesa service center has dismissed their input and continues to block the update. At one point, the lead aggressively approached my technician, their co-workers, and me in an attempt to stop the update.

After repeated roadblocks, I felt I had to raise the stakes by asking about escalation to regional managers. The front-line employees’ reactions were striking—they seemed overwhelmed, almost emotional, rather than focusing on innovation or finding a solution. It was clear that the standard processes weren’t allowing them to advocate effectively.

I’ve followed all procedures and tried to escalate appropriately, but the update remains stalled. My goal is simply to get the vehicle fully operational while following proper channels.

Has anyone successfully navigated flagged vehicles or managed to get similar updates approved? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

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[SolartoEV]

Call the guy who's truck wasn't updating in Kazakhstan. I would consider him and the team he used the experts.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

What are the grounds Rivian is giving you for refusing to update the vehicle?

 

[ElGuapo]

If you modify the car that heavily, I feel like they’re likely going to say everything is out of spec now and not covered by them, etc…

 

[ndmiller]

Rivian isn't required to do anything on a heavily modified vehicle that started as a Rivian, no manufacturer is. They don't want to be on the hook for issues beyond their scope of building the initial vehicle. Good luck, try the Kazakhstan guy.

 

[usulio]

That sucks. It’s one thing if Rivian doesn’t want to work on a third party system but if they also block anyone else from repairing or using the car, that’s bad behavior.

 

[DuoRivian]

What are the grounds Rivian is giving you for refusing to update the vehicle?

I would assume extreme modifications.

 

[CosmicRivian]

As EV adoption keeps growing and more of these vehicles age out of their factory warranties, we’re going to see a massive third-party aftermarket take shape. Certified shops, non-certified shops, DIYs, hacker collectives ... you name it. All stepping in to offer service and support when the manufacturer either won’t or can’t help with an aging or modified vehicle. Basically, an entire aftermarket built around code.

Should be interesting to watch. Unfortunately, not much help in this case so “Kazakhstan guy” might be your best bet. Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[usulio]

As EV adoption keeps growing and more of these vehicles age out of their factory warranties, we’re going to see a massive third-party aftermarket take shape. Certified shops, non-certified shops, DIYs, hacker collectives ... you name it. All stepping in to offer service and support when the manufacturer either won’t or can’t help with an aging or modified vehicle. Basically, an entire aftermarket built around code.

Should be interesting to watch. Unfortunately, not much help in this case so “Kazakhstan guy” might be your best bet. Keep us posted and good luck.

That’s the issue with software and right to repair, though. Rivian can’t stop you from bolting on parts but they can set their software to be incompatible or brick the car if detected. Apple got in trouble with this and 3rd party screens. It doesn’t even have to be fully mailicious, they can design the software to only work with their hardware and vice versa and you get situations like this. I would love a right to repair that includes being able to flash our own software if the manufacturer won’t support it.

 

[Riviot]

I recommend your

third-party technician with years of experience

sign up for the partner portal, you or they pony up the dough for training and annual access, then have your

third-party technician with years of experience

complete the update.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Not much help, but just to clarify the issue -- are you saying that "the airbag that operates the ride height suspension" needs its own separate update? Is this something that would normally be part of a standard Rivian OTA update? Or a software update unique to the modified suspension of your vehicle and/or a specific module?

Probably a dumb question, but if it's something that would normally come OTA, can you just lower the vehicle for it to download (obviously without driving it anywhere, maybe take the wheels off)? Or trick it some other way?

Following. Good luck, +1 for " Kazakhstan guy" maybe being able to help.

 

[Killer95Stang]

You modified the ride height of the Rivian that has adjustable suspension by tricking the vehicle to think it is at stock height. Most of the updates have some kind of suspension change and /or Driver + update that requires the vehicle to know what height the cameras or suspension are for proper calibration. Rivian can't just pick and choose which updates they upload to your vehicle since they come as a package. I think you are SOL. They would be opening themselves up to liability if your crashed using Driver + and they allowed you update, even though the vehicle isn't operating under delivered perameters.....

Simple solution... remove all the modified suspension parts, turning everything minus the visual modifications back to stock and have them update it. Then only do over the air updates when you get it back. Good luck...

 

[JetFalcon]

That’s the issue with software and right to repair, though. Rivian can’t stop you from bolting on parts but they can set their software to be incompatible or brick the car if detected. Apple got in trouble with this and 3rd party screens. It doesn’t even have to be fully mailicious, they can design the software to only work with their hardware and vice versa and you get situations like this. I would love a right to repair that includes being able to flash our own software if the manufacturer won’t support it.

I’m reaching out because I’m dealing with an issue that’s preventing me from operating my Rivian, and I’d like the community’s insight on how to proceed.


I own one of only two Rivians modified by So Flo Customs, a company featured on Discovery Channel’s Truck Dynasty. These modifications are extremely rare; So Flo told me they stopped at two units largely due to complications with software updates. My vehicle is fully repaired physically—I paid a third-party technician $10k to handle all the mechanical work because Rivian requested we not touch it.


The problem now is a software update that is required to operate the vehicle, specifically for the “airbag that operates the ride-height suspension.” Without this update, the car cannot function as intended.


Here’s what happened at the Costa Mesa service center:

• I asked for the software update to be performed.
• One lead tech aggressively intervened, trying to stop another technician from performing a hard reset. He then walked away, exposing an unspoken culture that store leads should never be challenged.
• A front-line worker froze at the mention of escalating to the regional manager but eventually took my info on a post-it note to pass to higher-ups. He refused to CC me or provide any transparency about next steps.

It’s clear that internal policies or unspoken rules are preventing the store from providing a standard software update, even though the car is fully functional physically. This is frustrating because:

• The update is essential for safety and operation.
• My car is extremely rare and represents a high-value collaboration.
• I have already followed all procedures and paid for professional repairs.

I’d like to ask the Rivian community:

• Has anyone encountered software update roadblocks for modified Rivians?
• What strategies worked to escalate to regional management or ensure updates were applied?
• Are there best practices for communicating effectively with service centers when leads resist standard procedures?

Thank you in advance for your advice. I want to resolve this safely and professionally, and I hope sharing this experience helps others understand the challenges that can arise with rare or modified vehicles.

 

[godfodder0901]

...represents a high-value collaboration.

Respectfully disagree...

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Modified far beyond original spec. You’re SOL.

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