Bad Drive Unit, 9th time for service. This makes EV's look bad.

[jwanderson88]

This has me sort of riled up. My Rivian is at the Service Center right now. I got news today that they found that it needs a "drive unit". My 2023 R1T with less than 50,000 miles has had 8 service events. This will be the ninth. You'd think the Rivian "drive units" (motors) should last the life of the vehicle. In an ICE vehicle, the motor (drive unit) normally lasts 100,000 miles. What is going on? What is the warranty on drive units anyway?

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[DuoRivians]

This has me sort of riled up. My Rivian is at the Service Center right now. I got news today that they found that it needs a "drive unit". My 2023 R1T with less than 50,000 miles has had 8 service events. This will be the ninth. You'd think the Rivian "drive units" (motors) should last the life of the vehicle. In an ICE vehicle, the motor (drive unit) normally lasts 100,000 miles. What is going on? What is the warranty on drive units anyway?

I have had my 2023 R1T in service for 12 times so far. It’s finally in good shape. Knock on wood

 

[Mellowyellow]

8 year/175,000 miles

 

[1stPlace]

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-the-warranty-coverage-on-a-new-rivian

Assuming you have a dual motor, you purchased one of the earliest models with their new in-house motors. Luckily, your warranty completely covers it and you will have a new and likely improved design.

I don't mean to discount your service visit numbers...but if half of them were for cosmetic or issues that did not affect drivability, and all repairs were covered under warranty, I'd say that's not bad. That's about where I am at. I'm incredibly happy with my R1S.

 

[1stPlace]

I just double checked, and I'm now guessing you have a Bosch quad motor if it's a 2023...sorry either way, man. Understandable to be frustrated. It will be easy to forget once it is back in your hands, though.

 

[Time2Roll]

I don't mind getting different things fixed. It is the repeated repair of the same item that would grind on me.

New drive unit is bitter/sweet as it may take a bit longer but I assume the replacement is better than the original.

 

[electruck]

This has me sort of riled up. My Rivian is at the Service Center right now. I got news today that they found that it needs a "drive unit". My 2023 R1T with less than 50,000 miles has had 8 service events. This will be the ninth. You'd think the Rivian "drive units" (motors) should last the life of the vehicle. In an ICE vehicle, the motor (drive unit) normally lasts 100,000 miles. What is going on? What is the warranty on drive units anyway?

sorry, your post wasn't clear. will this be your 9th drive unit or have you had 9 different problems over 2-3 years? Yes, generally the drive units do last the life of the vehicle but a few unlucky people run into issues.

My 2023 R1S has been in for service 4 times in just over 30k miles and coming up on 3 yrs. first to fix the liftgate mis-alignment noted at delivery. then a year later for a suspension alignment and the backup light recall. then had a mobile service at 2 years to proactively replace the 12V batteries and replace the hvac drain plug, followed by a service center visit 3 days later to replace one of the brand new 12V installed during the mobile visit.

 

[jwanderson88]

Paradoxically, the most minor problem was the worst. My Rivian was "bricked". No electrical activity whatsoever. Rivian elected to have it towed to the Salt Lake Service center. The driver was instructed not to attempt to jump it or enter it. That's what he told me. So he literally dragged it onto the tow truck. It was a dead 12V battery. Everything else didn't affect the drivability, except for this one. Still 9 times is a lot. If the motor of an ICE vehicle died at 50,000 miles, it would be a very big deal. It's practically unbelievably rare. The competition between ICE and EV is heating up. Stuff like this gives EV haters more ammunition.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

If the motor of an ICE vehicle died at 50,000 miles, it would be a very big deal. It's practically unbelievably rare.

Not to discount your issues, but you've obviously never owned a Chevy.

Just to give you a quick taste:

 

[1stPlace]

If the motor of an ICE vehicle died at 50,000 miles, it would be a very big deal. It's practically unbelievably rare.

Your issue is also extremely rare, and electric motors generally have much greater longevity beyond 100k+ miles. Few people expect ICE transmissions to last them beyond 200k. I think electric motors generally outlast the battery. Which is (again, my opinion) likely good for 300k+ miles or 15+ years, whichever comes sooner.

 

[DKM_R1S]

I had a Bosch fail in my quad at 3K miles. So it happens.

 

[SANZC02]

Paradoxically, the most minor problem was the worst. My Rivian was "bricked". No electrical activity whatsoever. Rivian elected to have it towed to the Salt Lake Service center. The driver was instructed not to attempt to jump it or enter it. That's what he told me. So he literally dragged it onto the tow truck. It was a dead 12V battery. Everything else didn't affect the drivability, except for this one. Still 9 times is a lot. If the motor of an ICE vehicle died at 50,000 miles, it would be a very big deal. It's practically unbelievably rare. The competition between ICE and EV is heating up. Stuff like this gives EV haters more ammunition.

It happens, I had a transmission fail on a Jeep GC in less than 5k miles. It was repaired and was still running great when I got rid of it at 120k miles.

One thing is certain, mechanical things occasionally fail.

 

[beatle]

Yep, I had the transmission replaced in my '25 Miata with less than 2k miles. That took 5 weeks. The ECU was replaced in my gf's Crosstrek at 500 miles after over a week at the dealer.

As @electruck said, context is important for the reason for each service visit. I'd wager that most issues have not been specific to the fact that the truck is an EV, and more that Rivian is a new automaker.

I've had more service visits than I'd like to have, but only the 12v battery has arguably been EV-specific.

 

[jwanderson88]

Obviously you've never owned a Toyota. I have a 2017 Camry hybrid that I picked up used a year ago. Allowing for older technology, everything works great. I never have to stand by my car looking dumb for a minute while it decides to open the door. I only have to touch the handle and it unlocks. Incidentally, does your body or hand block the signal from the remote. Sometimes it acts like it's never going to unlock and then it works when I take my hand out of my pocket or turn so the remote faces the car. Also I can't get my keycard to work, I don't need it much. Little aggravations add up when you use a car everyday.

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