R1S nightmare and Lemon laws

[JZauk1]

All,

Since I picked up my Rivian in early August, I have documented 13 issues. My first service apt, had 11 and was in the shop over two weeks. Now I have another service apt to fix 3 more. Rivian has offered to cover one months payment, if signed I would be absolving Rivian for any liability. I have demanded to replace the vehicle. Now Rivian has ghosted me since their offer. In addition via Rivian Roamer I found out my vehicle was over a year old, built date, from when I picked it up. This experience has been horrible and regret making the purchase. I have owned 2 previous Teslas and was super excited about making the switch to Rivian.

So my next steps are NC DMV, BBB, and NC consumer bureau.

Any other suggestions or help would be appreciated!

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[COdogman]

I’m sorry that you had this experience. I wouldn’t sign that ”offer” either. Most states’ lemon laws have a minimum time the vehicle has spent in service over a 30 day window. What does NC lemon laws say?

We have seen others here that had build dates that far back. I don’t know what the law says about that, but IMO as long as it’s the same model year you thought you were buying with the same features, there probably isn’t much to worry about there.

Also, you don’t list what issues your Rivian has. No offense, but some issues could be serious to one person and no big deal to another. What kinds of issues are you referring to?

 

[JZauk1]

My problems were misalignment, 3 scratches, one which required painting, out of alignment, damaged interior trim. One of the problems they are unable to fix is door handles squeak with every movement. I was told that’s a known problem with no current fix. Ultimately I purchased a brand new vehicle that was not new and now re painted before I even drove it. My problem is Rivian needs to disclose build date, I would have never agreed to a vehicle that sat dormant on a lot in Illinois over one year.

 

[beatle]

I don't think the build date is of any consequence unless there were features missing from a newer build that you expected to get but weren't present in the vehicle that was delivered, or if your truck says it's a MY24 when it's supposed to be a MY25.

The other issues don't substantially affect the use, safety, or value of the vehicle, so I think your lemon law case is pretty thin. If they had the truck for over a month due to issues with the battery, drive units, charging port, air suspension, etc. then things would be different. The known issue with the door handles is probably why they're even offering you a payment.

That said, the BBB AutoLine for lemon law complaints is pretty good, easy, and free. You can put in the documentation for your issues and they will tell you if they think it qualifies as a lemon. If so, they start the communication with the manufacturer and then set up arbitration if necessary. I went through that just a couple months ago for my new Miata. The dealer had my car for 5 weeks to replace the transmission and said it would be a few more, so I filed a complaint. They moved pretty quick (new transmission in 24 hours) when the complaint hit their desk.

 

[Golfer04]

I think you have a pretty weak case too. Build dates don't mean much in the auto industry. The squeaky door handles is a known problem and likely will be a future recall (mine does it), but it doesn't prevent me from opening the door. Not defending poor alignment, but I've had that one too. These vehicles are famously difficult to align; requiring micro adjustments to get right. Ask them why it keeps losing alignment. With mine a rear rim ended being out of spec. Sorry you are off to a rough start.

 

[JZauk1]

Thank you folks responding. Ultimately I should have declined delivery. This is one of the downfalls to direct to consumer, I hate dealerships, but if I would have seen this vehicle on the lot, I would have never grabbed it. I was so excited to pick it up and that affected my judgement.

Shame on Rivian for allowing that vehicle to be delivered. Also just because these issues have happened to a lot of folks doesn’t mean that’s how Rivian should operate. I have learned that this community is very tolerant to build/quality issues, which I can understand, but when is enough, enough? I am very pro EV and was very pro Rivian, stock holder/followed the company religiously, but this experience has lost me as a fan and supporter.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Thank you folks responding. Ultimately I should have declined delivery. This is one of the downfalls to direct to consumer, I hate dealerships, but if I would have seen this vehicle on the lot, I would have never grabbed it. I was so excited to pick it up and that affected my judgement.

Shame on Rivian for allowing that vehicle to be delivered. Also just because these issues have happened to a lot of folks doesn’t mean that’s how Rivian should operate. I have learned that this community is very tolerant to build/quality issues, which I can understand, but when is enough, enough? I am very pro EV and was very pro Rivian, stock holder/followed the company religiously, but this experience has lost me as a fan and supporter.

I get the frustration, and agree that Rivian should be doing much better at this point. It is well documented here that QC is still a huge problem for them.

I know it has been a difficult situation, but why not give them the opportunity to fix the problems? They are certainly behind and do ask of a lot of patience from the consumers, but perhaps you could enjoy the vehicle once these issues are addressed?

Sucks that this is all happening so early on in the ownership process but my recommendation is not to try to abandon ship just yet. My R1S has been in the shop a few times for minor things (rattle, wind noise) to major (car bricked on busy road), but these all occurred early into my ownership. Since then it has been problem free and honestly the most I've ever enjoyed driving and owning a car. I know is not what you want to hear, but for my two cents, I think enduring some early teething pain is worth it as long as the car works fine after that.

 

[JZauk1]

Rivian has fixed the initial issues, now I have additional ones that will be addressed at my next service appointment.

I understand give them a chance view as well. I just hate I have $90k+ SUV that has already been painted and now 13+ issues. In addition now my wife and I are hypersensitive to issues, whether fair or not.

I previously owned 2 Teslas and 2 Tahoes that they all have had cumulative less issues than this vehicle in 25 years of ownership. Maybe I have been lucky.

 

[sub]

My problem is Rivian needs to disclose build date, I would have never agreed to a vehicle that sat dormant on a lot in Illinois over one year.

I agree that Rivian's quality control is crap, but your build date complaint is really confusing me.

The build date is displayed on the government mandated door sticker. This isn't something they try to hide or are allowed to hide. If this was something that you cared about it was absolutely available.

Although they don't normally show you the door sticker when you order the vehicle, they probably would if you asked and you can definitely see it before accepting the delivery.

Also, when you purchased your vehicle, Rivian had already started selling 2026 vehicles. If you order a 2025 model after the 2026's are out, I don't see how you can be surprised that you are not getting something fresh off the line.

 

[Zoidz]

Rivian has fixed the initial issues, now I have additional ones that will be addressed at my next service appointment.

I understand give them a chance view as well. I just hate I have $90k+ SUV that has already been painted and now 13+ issues. In addition now my wife and I are hypersensitive to issues, whether fair or not.

I previously owned 2 Teslas and 2 Tahoes that they all have had cumulative less issues than this vehicle in 25 years of ownership. Maybe I have been lucky.

You started this thread that you want to pursue Lemon law and a vehicle exchange, and now you reveal that Rivian fixed all the initial issues? The fact that they fixed the initial issues by your own admission above, means that Lemon Law does not even begin to apply.

Regarding the paint, you should realize that it's possible that at least one of the previous vehicles you owned had paint touch up before you ever took posession. It happens all the time and dealers deal with it before you ever see the vehicle. Rivian tends to overlook/ignore it, for whatever reason, which they certainly need to improve.

With all due respect, you are being hypersenstive and dramatic. Honestly, I'm not all that surprised that Rivian may be ghosting you about a replacement. It's unreasonable. My suggestion is to get it whatever else needs fixing fixed and sell/trade it. Move on.

 

[stormbreaker]

Sounds like your patience has run out and can no longer own your Rivian without a bad taste in your mouth. Like Zoidz says, you should sell it and get something you'd enjoy more.

Not to be funny, but I hear the cybertruck is being heavily discounted

 

[hammick]

Try to take a deep breath and enjoy your car. Our G2 R1S needed quite a bit of panel alignment and now it's acceptable. We had the chipped paint where the passenger door rubbed the front quarter panel but that got that realigned and the touch up paint matched perfect. They performed a courtesy alignment and it went perfectly straight until I had the tires rotated then it had a terrible pull to the right. Turns out one of our tires was bad so we made a successful warranty claim with Pirelli through Discount Tire.

I wanted a recent build but didn't want to place an order and not get the current incentives. There are ways as you have now figured out to know the build month. The fact that you received an early build not something unusual. All manufacturers have vehicles on their lots that are months older than others. I did my homework and got an R1S built in the same month we took delivery.

I'm taking it in for the camera, headlight and blinker recalls this morning. Hopefully after we get it back we are good to go. I do want the door handle parts replaced at some point as I suspect the handles will start to squeak again when it gets colder.

We can live with all of this as I'm retired and all of our loaners have been Rivian. If I had to deal with a rental from Enterprise I'd probably be pretty upset.

Rivian can and should do better about quality control at the factory. The tops of our doors were sticking out so much I noticed immediately on delivery day 30' away.

Our R1S is the most expensive car we've ever purchased and we plan to own it a good long time.

 

[Megaman0025]

You started this thread that you want to pursue Lemon law and a vehicle exchange, and now you reveal that Rivian fixed all the initial issues? The fact that they fixed the initial issues by your own admission above, means that Lemon Law does not even begin to apply.

Regarding the paint, you should realize that it's possible that at least one of the previous vehicles you owned had paint touch up before you ever took posession. It happens all the time and dealers deal with it before you ever see the vehicle. Rivian tends to overlook/ignore it, for whatever reason, which they certainly need to improve.

With all due respect, you are being hypersenstive and dramatic. Honestly, I'm not all that surprised that Rivian may be ghosting you about a replacement. It's unreasonable. My suggestion is to get it whatever else needs fixing fixed and sell/trade it. Move on.

This is 100 percent my feeling about this post as well. The owner is upset for real reasons, but now there is no case anymore and they are being overly dramatic about this. Time to let them fix anything else and settle down and enjoy the vehicle.

 

[Redline]

Another one of these threads lol.

 

[tbinmd]

build date is on the door jam sticker, you should have refused the vehicle when you picked it up if that was an issue. There's no issue with a vehicle sitting. This was normal operation for ford over the last few years, while waiting on parts to complete a build.

scratches can happen in transport, I had one on my R1T on the edge of the drivers door. Touch up paint and I can even tell it's there.

moral of the story is to inpesct the vehicle when you take delivery, don't take delivery if you are not happy. To me cosmetic issues like scratches and damaged interior do not fall under the lemon law. Those are things to reject the delivery on when you pickup the vehicle.

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