Rivian software is (still) an embarrassment and needs to get better fast before R2

[ATLRivvy]

Apparently you don't know about the tradeoffs because you're whining while admitting no one else touches the cadence and complexity of Rivian's software updates. I don't care what you do for a living, but it doesn't seem like you understand what you were buying with your Rivian, when there are hundreds of threads you could have read before making your purchase. If you had, you wouldn't be in your current situation and the rest of us who had the correct expectations wouldn't be bothered with you making mountains out of mole hills.

What? Tradeoffs doesn’t mean fully sacrifice one thing for another - cadence / complexity doesn’t matter when the tradeoff is failures on basic functionality. That’s the point both the OP and I are making. No one cares how many holiday updates or rarely used drive modes you add if the tradeoff is inconsistent PAAK functionality, random sensor errors when driving, etc. Customers don’t forgive you for getting the basics wrong in the name of chasing monthly trinkets.

I very well understood what I was buying - a developing software platform that would hopefully get better over time. It has gotten better - just not at great enough speed. That doesn’t mean forgive basic problems.

Accessing the car is one of the most frequent things people do, same for listening to music in their car, using the ADAS, navigating to a destination, messaging, etc. when it comes to shopping for cars these days those are the mountains. Being reliable at those things aren’t extras, it’s tablestakes for mass market high-end EV success these days. If that isn’t part of your expectations then so be it, but there is nothing “correct” about expecting inconsistency on tablestakes functionality.

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[LR4toR1S]

That does suck. I’ve miraculously had no issues. My truck has unlocked immediately every single time I’ve ever walked up to it..have never had to take out my phone. I don’t get why there’s such a varied experience in software.

Mine only has a delay because I turned OFF proximity unlock when I'm at home because it unlocked in the middle of the night (car was in driveway) a few times when I left my phone in my home office. So it takes more effort to unlock now when it is at home. Everywhere else it unlocks as I approach. I suspect people have this issue as they enter their cars and exit more when its at home. So they are venting that proximity sucks (it really doesn't).

I'd rather have a slight delay than giving the hoodlums free access to my car because i left proximity unlock ON at my home location. I generally just press the door handle at home then it unlocks in like 1-2 seconds.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

What? Tradeoffs doesn’t mean fully sacrifice one thing for another - cadence / complexity doesn’t matter when the tradeoff is failures on basic functionality

This right here is the issue I have. It’s beyond “basic functionality” what you’re describing. Basic functionality is being able to drive you places. You’re equating having to switch user profiles or unpause music with vehicle breaking software bugs and it’s intentionally dishonest and makes you look like a whiner.

For most people these are MINOR bugs, and many people like the software cadence and getting new features every month and are willing to deal with these MINOR bugs to get it. Your priorities aren’t universal.

You then go on to admit you knew Rivian was a fledgling developer and that their software HAS improved over time yet here you are still whining. I don’t get the point of that. You knew what you were getting into and you admit Rivian is moving the needle toward the right direction so why complain?

 

[snowboarder777]

Had my 2024 Rivian R1S Quad for 2 years and none of these issues ever arose. Do a full vehicle reset and restart Iphone for proxmity unlock and all those minor issues you are having.
Kneel mode will quit if you immediately open door after parking. I just keep vehicle on low suspension setting and moderate ride and its been great.

 

[ATLRivvy]

This right here is the issue I have. It’s beyond “basic functionality” what you’re describing. Basic functionality is being able to drive you places. You’re equating having to switch user profiles or unpause music with vehicle breaking software bugs and it’s intentionally dishonest and makes you look like a whiner.

For most people these are MINOR bugs, and many people like the software cadence and getting new features every month and are willing to deal with these MINOR bugs to get it. Your priorities aren’t universal.

You then go on to admit you knew Rivian was a fledgling developer and that their software HAS improved over time yet here you are still whining. I don’t get the point of that. You knew what you were getting into and you admit Rivian is moving the needle toward the right direction so why complain?

Buddy - if you don’t consider ability to continuously play a song and reliably unlock itself using the manufacturers recommended default method (the car doesn’t even come with a FOB) basic functionality in a $80-100k+ EV SUV then I don’t know what to tell you.

Again - being a “fledgling developer” doesn’t mean a customer has to accept a bad experience. It just means you accepted the risk of it being bad. Then confirmed it was bad. And now if you are OP you are providing feedback on said bad experience. This is very simple.

Again - I don’t really know why you think you get to legislate who has the right to provide feedback on their experience in a community forum designed for that very purpose. I’m not the one telling anyone the “correct” way to experience a Rivian. That would literally be you. It is YOU telling people what the universal priorities should be. It is YOU telling people what type of feedback is valid to leave here. Something might be legitimately wrong with you if you are not getting this. MANY people may actually prioritize knowing their car will reliably unlock instead of having them stuck in the rain, MANY people would get annoyed at a car randomly pausing mid-song all the time, MANY people would get annoyed at continuously experiencing bugs in their $100K vehicle.

You can say you expect it but okay so what? Everyone doesn’t have to accept what you accept. The fact that there are multiple threads complaining about software experience daily pretty definitively proves that MANY people don’t agree with you.

Buying a Rivian is clearly some kind of defining moment for you so I’ll go ahead and see myself out of this convo and leave you to pray at the altar

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Buddy - if you don’t consider ability to continuously play a song and reliably unlock itself using the manufacturers recommended default method (the car doesn’t even come with a FOB) basic functionality in a $80-100k+ EV SUV then I don’t know what to tell you.

Again - being a “fledgling developer” doesn’t mean a customer has to accept a bad experience. It just means you accepted the risk of it being bad. Then confirmed it was bad. And now if you are OP you are providing feedback on said bad experience. This is very simple.

Again - I don’t really know why you think you get to legislate who has the right to provide feedback on their experience in a community forum designed for that very purpose. I’m not the one telling anyone the “correct” way to experience a Rivian. That would literally be you. It is YOU telling people what the universal priorities should be. It is YOU telling people what type of feedback is valid to leave here. Something might be legitimately wrong with you if you are not getting this. MANY people may actually prioritize knowing their car will reliably unlock instead of having them stuck in the rain, MANY people would get annoyed at a car randomly pausing mid-song all the time, MANY people would get annoyed at continuously experiencing bugs in their $100K vehicle.

You can say you expect it but okay so what? Everyone doesn’t have to accept what you accept. The fact that there are multiple threads complaining about software experience daily pretty definitively proves that MANY people don’t agree with you.

Buying a Rivian is clearly some kind of defining moment for you so I’ll go ahead and see myself out of this convo and leave you to pray at the altar

It goes beyond feedback when it's exaggerated to the point of absurdity. This isn't my first vehicle at this price point, and all of them have had issues occasionally. Acting like having to switch a profile and unpause music is the end of the world or even that it ranks as anything beyond a minor annoyance is pathetic whining.

Just because many people are also whiners doesn't make it not whining. If you don't like your Rivian sell it and find your perfect manufacturer with no issues. Admitting Rivian is improving while still whining about minor issues is a waste of everyone's time.

You can leave any feedback you'd like, I'm not restricting your speech in any way by calling out your posts for what they are, overly dramatic whine fests. If you don't like MY feedback on YOUR posts, feel free to block me or to stop whining. You've incorrectly attributed my calling you out to thinking Rivian is perfect or beyond the point of criticism.

The issue I have is with overly dramatic whining in general. Yes, having to unpause your music is a MINOR annoyance. Yes, having to switch your profile is a MINOR annoyance. These are on par with someone driving slowly in front of you, a few minutes of traffic delay or Starbucks being out of your preferred syrup. The world is full of minor inconvienances and only those of us who are overly entitled exaggerate these problems into major issues.

Just as I cannot stand the whiner crying to the cashier because their coupon is expired I cannot stand this. Grow up, and see your MINOR problems for what they are. Either all of these "issues" are too much for you or they aren't. If they are, sell your Rivian and go find your perfect vehicle. If they aren't accept it's par for the course and stop whining. Either way, take some control over your circumstances instead of unloading your BS to everyone here.

 

[ATLRivvy]

It goes beyond feedback when it's exaggerated to the point of absurdity. This isn't my first vehicle at this price point, and all of them have had issues occasionally. Acting like having to switch a profile and unpause music is the end of the world or even that it ranks as anything beyond a minor annoyance is pathetic whining.

Just because many people are also whiners doesn't make it not whining. If you don't like your Rivian sell it and find your perfect manufacturer with no issues. Admitting Rivian is improving while still whining about minor issues is a waste of everyone's time.

You can leave any feedback you'd like, I'm not restricting your speech in any way by calling out your posts for what they are, overly dramatic whine fests. If you don't like MY feedback on YOUR posts, feel free to block me or to stop whining. You've incorrectly attributed my calling you out to thinking Rivian is perfect or beyond the point of criticism.

The issue I have is with overly dramatic whining in general. Yes, having to unpause your music is a MINOR annoyance. Yes, having to switch your profile is a MINOR annoyance. These are on par with someone driving slowly in front of you, a few minutes of traffic delay or Starbucks being out of your preferred syrup. The world is full of minor inconvienances and only those of us who are overly entitled exaggerate these problems into major issues.

Just as I cannot stand the whiner crying to the cashier because their coupon is expired I cannot stand this. Grow up, and see your MINOR problems for what they are. Either all of these "issues" are too much for you or they aren't. If they are, sell your Rivian and go find your perfect vehicle. If they aren't accept it's par for the course and stop whining. Either way, take some control over your circumstances instead of unloading your BS to everyone here.

Yeah something is wrong with you.. there is nothing to “unload”. I it’s software feedback on a forum specifically for software feedback and it’s not my post.

 

[captainjp]

Yeah something is wrong with you.. there is nothing to “unload”. I it’s software feedback on a forum specifically for software feedback and it’s not my post.

Feedback to whom? The forum provides a means for discussion amongst owners. It’s unlikely that any Rivian reps monitor these threads for feedback on their product.

 

[ATLRivvy]

Feedback to whom? The forum provides a means for discussion amongst owners. It’s unlikely that any Rivian reps monitor these threads for feedback on their product.

Feedback on the OP (or whoever’s) experience. Rivian can see it, prospective buyers can see it, owners can see it, people looking learn about EVs can see it, etc.

It’s the entire purpose of a community forum. There is no requirement that you be an owner to read forum posts.

It’s bizarre that people are getting butthurt that someone is sharing their experience. Especially since it’s not really up for debate that LOTS of people have experienced many software bugs in their Rivian.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Yeah something is wrong with you.. there is nothing to “unload”. I it’s software feedback on a forum specifically for software feedback and it’s not my post.

Again, it's not feedback when it's exaggered. It's whining. Stop whining.

 

[freshpow]

Feedback on the OP (or whoever’s) experience. Rivian can see it, prospective buyers can see it, owners can see it, people looking learn about EVs can see it, etc.

It’s the entire purpose of a community forum. There is no requirement that you be an owner to read forum posts.

It’s bizarre that people are getting butthurt that someone is sharing their experience. Especially since it’s not really up for debate that LOTS of people have experienced many software bugs in their Rivian.

Who exactly is getting butthurt besides OP who tucked his tail and ran for the hills? Nice of you to step in for him but if people are going to post about minor software bugs they experience and pretend that it’s a widespread issue plaguing all vehicles then of course happy owners who don’t experience those bugs are going to chime in too. I like how OP tried to credentialize himself as some sort of tech expert before launching into his laundry list of nothing burgers.

 

[mkhuffman]

I think people have become desensitized to software bugs because they are everywhere. I had to reboot our Roku TV the other day because it lost the sound. My wife's Grand Cherokee, which is far from "software defined", can't remember the correct seat positions on our profiles. My Mach-e did not get regular OTA updates, and often new bugs were introduced after updates. Many people have the same opinion about Ford's software as the OP does with Rivian's.

When I first got my R1T, I had various software issues. For some strange reason, all those issues gradually went away and now, after nine months of ownership, I can honestly say I have had zero, ZERO, software bugs in the last month or two. Even after the .46 update, no bugs. Everything works, and works perfectly.

I cannot explain why my truck is so perfect and the OP's sucks so bad he is pissing on himself. I do think that his PaaK issues should be looked at by Service. Since he is an expert in all things IT, I am sure his phone settings are correct so there might be something going on with his truck. I don't think his PaaK experience is normal. Mine has been perfect for months.

Really the only complaint I have about my truck is vampire drain, and that has yet to cause an issue for me. I just don't like it. So waaa!

Oh, and I do not agree that the OP's issues are a warning sign for the R2. Not at all. In fact, based on how stable and reliable my truck is, Rivian is in good shape (software wise) to release the R2.

 

[COdogman]

Feedback on the OP (or whoever’s) experience. Rivian can see it, prospective buyers can see it, owners can see it, people looking learn about EVs can see it, etc.

It’s the entire purpose of a community forum. There is no requirement that you be an owner to read forum posts.

It’s bizarre that people are getting butthurt that someone is sharing their experience. Especially since it’s not really up for debate that LOTS of people have experienced many software bugs in their Rivian.

Define “LOTS”. That hasn’t been my experience. And the bugs I have had to deal with in 2.5 years are minor annoyances.

Also, just like in every thread we see like this, the people acting “butthurt” are the OP, who posted a dramatic, entitled rant and expected everyone to agree with them. When that didn’t happen and people simply disagree with the categorization of the complaints (critical vs minor, etc.), or the source/ delivery of the complaints (someone who has only owned for 2 weeks and sought no help from Rivian w/ perceived issues and claims they should be taken seriously because of their job title), they get defensive, then call all detractors “trolls” and run away.…

I agree OP was just “sharing their experience”, but so are those who disagree. And there is no reason OP’s experience should be taken more seriously than anyone else’s. Free speech works both ways….

 

[ATLRivvy]

Define “LOTS”. That hasn’t been my experience. And the bugs I have had to deal with in 2.5 years are minor annoyances.

Also, just like in every thread we see like this, the people acting “butthurt” are the OP, who posted a dramatic, entitled rant and expected everyone to agree with them. When that didn’t happen and people simply disagree with the categorization of the complaints (critical vs minor, etc.), or the source/ delivery of the complaints (someone who has only owned for 2 weeks and sought no help from Rivian w/ perceived issues and claims they should be taken seriously because of their job title), they get defensive, then call all detractors “trolls” and run away.…

I agree OP was just “sharing their experience”, but so are those who disagree. And there is no reason OP’s experience should be taken more seriously than anyone else’s. Free speech works both ways….

LOTS meaning a very large portion of Rivian owners - even some of the defenders in this very thread according to their own post histories. I had one tell me his car was perfect - and all it took was one click to find posts from him complaining about his frunk randomly opening and the ADAS repeatedly making dangerous decisions. I can see 3 other Rivian owners from the top of my driveway - we have all had software issues and multiple service appointments. I’ve personally had at least two of OPs issues and many other software issues. I reset this thing more than a Windows 95 PC and bugs still continue to emerge. Doesn’t change my life, I’ll just return when the lease is up. But in the meantime I tell everyone who asks that I don’t recommend the current version of the car at the current price point.

I’m not really here to defend OP specifically. I’m just sick of the brigading fanatics that pop up in every single thread like this (of which there are many) and try gaslight away the issues. This isn’t a startup building bleeding edge tech, it’s a public company chasing from behind in a crowded market.

I’m not stopping anyone from stating their opinion and I’m not a government so I can’t infringe on anyone’s “free speech”. I’m stating my own opinion and it’s that anyone who runs to these threads to tell someone that paid $90K+ for a “software defined” vehicle that nothing matters except how it drives is drinking the kool aid and not really offering a rational perspective

 

[COdogman]

LOTS meaning a very large portion of Rivian owners - even some of the defenders in this very thread according to their own post histories. I had one tell me his car was perfect - and all it took was one click to find posts from him complaining about his frunk randomly opening and the ADAS repeatedly making dangerous decisions. I can see 3 other Rivian owners from the top of my driveway - we have all had software issues and multiple service appointments. I’ve personally had at least two of OPs issues and many other software issues. I reset this thing more than a Windows 95 PC and bugs still continue to emerge. Doesn’t change my life, I’ll just return when the lease is up. But in the meantime I tell everyone who asks that I don’t recommend the car at the current price point.

I’m not really here to defend OP specifically. I’m just sick of the brigading fanatics that pop up in every single thread like this (of which there are many) and try gaslight away the issues. This isn’t a startup building bleeding edge tech, it’s a public company chasing from behind in a crowded market.

I’m not stopping anyone from stating their opinion and I’m not a government so I can’t infringe on anyone’s “free speech”. I’m stating my own opinion and it’s that anyone who runs to these threads to tell someone that paid $90K+ for a “software defined” vehicle that nothing matters except how it drives is drinking the kool aid and not really offering a rational perspective

So 5 owners so far that you mentioned, including the “defender”/ “fanatic” that you chose to include even though they obviously don’t consider their issues as seriously as you do? That is far from “LOTS” and even if you took a forum poll, which has been done before, and the overwhelming majority agreed with you (wouldn’t happen), that still would not represent the opinions of enough Rivian owners to support your point. Only a small fraction of owners are even members of the forum.

And again it’s not being a “fanatic” to dispute the criteria that some use to categorize these issues. Whether you like it or not that is part of the “community discussion” you claim is the reason we are here.

It’s your opinion that “LOTS” of owners are experiencing the same thing.

It’s your opinion that disagreeing with these complaints makes one a “fanatic” or are ”gaslighting”.

It’s your opinion that the “bugs” you refer to are more important than any other feature or part of the vehicle.

It’s obviously your right to have those opinions. Same thing with OP. But for whatever reason, it always seems to be the people with the most complaints that believe their opinions hold more weight than those with the opposite experience.

And you are doing the same thing by calling anyone who doesn’t share your complaints “fanatics” and “defenders” and “kool aid drinkers” even though no one here ever says Rivian doesn’t need to improve, and no one here has not experienced at least 1 minor issue with their Rivian.

So who is the one “gaslighting” when that keeps getting misrepresented?

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