R1S nightmare and Lemon laws

[Donald Stanfield]

So Rivian fixed all your issues, most of which sound minor, but you still want to return the car? It sounds to me like your main complaint is that it sat in a lot for a year. I'm not sure why that matters, it's an SUV, not a potato. It didn't rot away when it was staging to be sold.

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[MountainBikeDude]

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.

I think your case for a lemon is pretty weak at best. None of these really qualifies for anything more than a cosmetic fix or panel re alignment. None of the above also rendered the vehicle inoperable.

As for the build date, most vehicles sit somewhere before a customer takes them into their possession and if you buy a model year 2025 as an example, expect it to have been built at any point within that model years run. Not sure why that's such a piss off.

 

[SwampNut]

I bought a brand new launch edition Jeep Gladiator that was ten months “old” and it never crossed my mind that it’s a problem. Why is it?

 

[Zoidz]

So Rivian fixed all your issues, most of which sound minor, but you still want to return the car? It sounds to me like your main complaint is that it sat in a lot for a year. I'm not sure why that matters, it's an SUV, not a potato. It didn't rot away when it was staging to be sold.

Agree. There should be no concern about that. Dealers try to avoid it, but It happens all the time at dealers. My 2010 Avalanche sat on the dealer lot for 7 months until I bought it as an end of year left over. They over estimated how many they would sell with the towing package and 3.73 rear. The 3.73 rear made many buyers pass. I got a great deal and a great tow vehicle.

 

[RivAW]

While I feel sympathy for your situation, you need to recognize a few things;
1. the problems you listed may or may not constitute lemon law violations and are (mostly) considered "slight defects" which don't affect safety, operation etc
2. take some personal responsibility for failing to inspect the vehicle fully before accepting delivery (which is totally understandable but still on you).
3. don't get hung up on the build date which doesn't matter at all. As far as a vehicle is concerned, there is plenty of reasonable flexibility in the timeline, so long as it wasn't "owned" or "titled" to anyone before. This likely makes zero difference for you.
3. lemon law varies by State, so don't take advice on a forum from people who may not be familiar with your particular state law. Do the research and talk to a lawyer in your state that deals with lemon law issues. They will likely offer an initial consultation without charge. The one thing prior comments are 100% correct about is that you should not sign any agreement absolving Rivian of liability before fully understanding whether you have a valid lemon law claim.

 

[bigsky]

Built one month earlier, my R1S was delivered to my house. Would have declined it had I visually found anything not to my satisfaction.
Heck, 1/4 of my R1S was repainted already, including door replacement at barely 4 months old because of corrosion.
Rivian's subpar both QC and reliability seem now the stuff of legends.
But Rivian support has been top-notch, and regardless of the isues mine has had, bottom line for me is that there is still nothing else out there worth trading my great, however imperfect beast for it.

 

[JZauk1]

Thank you for everyone’s advice and feedback. I have said previously I wished I would have declined delivery. I had a checklist and found most of the issues at delivery. I take full responsibility for that.

A lot of you have given good advice and feedback.

Service has been great and cannot complain about those folks.

I have researched lemon laws in North Carolina and currently do not believe I qualify but a lot of the guidelines fall within one year of ownership, so might eventually qualify.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Redline]

Let Rivian make things right. The car is 100% worth it.

 

[throughitalldude]

I feel your pain OP, My R1S is currently in the SC going on almost 15 days now for a clunk in the steering that they struggled to find and eventually said its a bad dampener. I took delivery on 9/24 and it spent 3 days in SC for a mis-alignment issues. So as of now my car has spent more time in the SC then on the road. They submitted a request for re-purchase but I doubt they'll do anything for me. Right now, I just want the damn car back cause Im in a model 3 and I am over it. Well see how they handle everything via when the legal team reaches out. I think its rare they buy back no matter how bad.

Im actually a little concerned as I have not heard back via the app from them since last week. I keep asking if they fixed the issue and no response. I told my wife I wonder if they swapped the dampener and still having the issue persist. No sure what happens, does Rivian ever throw the towel in on these sometimes?

 

[lefkonj]

A new vehicle is not about the build date but the number of miles. Plenty of vehicles sit on a lot for months before being sold, they are still considered new.

If Rivian has fixed issues and now you found something else that is not lemon law but with your vehicle. I understand the frustration but look at it with clear eyes, they are solving problems. You can either dump it or live with it.

My 2 R1S vehicles have been fantastic.

 

[Flyinryan]

JZauk1 I can relate as well. 100%! I have a running list of "isues" that I feel are too many for the price I paid. Just when I I'm about to post a similar thread to yours I remind myself that it's not really the issues that bother me it's the 7-hour round trip to service center that really bothers me and I knew this was going to the case going into it. So, I just take a deep breath and try to practice some patience knowing Rivian will eventually take care of me (once I find the time to make the trip to the service center). I love the SUV and would do it again.

 

[SANZC02]

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.

They do disclose the build month and year clearly on the sticker inside the driver door jam. Most vehicles were built months before they are delivered, especially in the dealer model.

 

[JZauk1]

They do disclose the build month and year clearly on the sticker inside the driver door jam. Most vehicles were built months before they are delivered, especially in the dealer model.

Now I realize this and wish I knew when I got the car. This one was 15 months old. Also this was just one of my many issues with the vehicle. Also this is direct to consumer, not to dealerships. So with a limited number of spec vehicles produced it raised red flags for me plus all the issues.

 

[mkg3]

Now I realize this and wish I knew when I got the car. This one was 15 months old. Also this was just one of my many issues with the vehicle. Also this is direct to consumer, not to dealerships. So with a limited number of spec vehicles produced it raised red flags for me plus all the issues.

Was the vehicle sold as the correct model year? (i.e., MY2024 but sold as MY2025)

Since you point out that it was built 15 months prior, it would be very unusual to have this situation. The only time I can see this happen is if there is a mid-year introduction and the following year model came on a regular schedule.

Perhaps this was a very early Gen 2 R1S?

 

[JZauk1]

Was the vehicle sold as the correct model year? (i.e., MY2024 but sold as MY2025)

Since you point out that it was built 15 months prior, it would be very unusual to have this situation. The only time I can see this happen is if there is a mid-year introduction and the following year model came on a regular schedule.

Perhaps this was a very early Gen 2 R1S?

R1s was made 6/24, I took delivery 09/25.

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