Someone, talk me out of dumping my R1T

[Ndbigblue]

I was enthusiastic about Rivian before it every hit the roads. I shared my enthusiasm with anyone/everyone I could talk to. I received the RT1 in late December of 2022. I carefully chose this brand and vehicle because I loved the climate friendly approach, that it could tow my 3500 lb camper trailer, and gave me space to haul stuff to the dump, etc...
Then, there were some issues, small but unexpected. The roof cracked when a crow dropped a nut on the corner of the roof. Okay, drag, but insurance covered it as if it were a windshield. Then the 12volt died. It gave me a week's notice on the dash so I had time to get it replaced. It happened under my warranty time. Inconvenient but it seemed like a faulty battery. Then, less than two months after my 3 year warranty expired, the 18 month old 12volt battery suddenly died, no warning. I was left confused and scared about why this happened. How could a massive electric vehicle become a brink by 12 volts. This is especially confusing given that my truck is always plugged in when home. It was plugged in when the battery died. I had to pay for the tow, nearly $400, and the replacement of the batteries close to $700.
It was this event that has changed how I feel about my RT1 and in particular Rivian. Am I expected to pay $700 dollars every two years, which Rivian said to me. This failure didn't come with a warning. How am I to feel safe traveling in remote areas if I can't predict this failure? Why isn't Rivian transparent about this issue? Why wouldn't they replace my batteries with longer lasting lithium batteries? Why did I have to learn about the drain Gear Guard creates? And why hasn't Rivian solved this issue? I asked them to install lithium batteries and an accessible plug that would allow me to recharge the battery if needed without having to take a part the frunk. They said they wouldn't do that and said I shouldn't either.
My loyalty to Rivian is severed. I am looking for alternative vehicles that have a long range and can tow at least 3500.
I am asking for reasons to stay with Rivian before I make this break. Anyone able to talk me down from dumping Rivian?

Sponsored

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

IMO, you do you. It's your life. Your money. Do whatever makes most sense to you. You're an adult. You don't need confirmation from anyone else.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Can't same I blame you. I think a lot of Gen 1 (and probably Gen 2) owners main concern is long term reliability and upkeep of these vehicles. I love my R1S. It has also bricked on me but luckily under warranty. After my warranty is up, I'd probably look to get something else.

Two things can be true. Rivian makes an excellent product but this is also their first entry into the market and it is not perfect. It's hard to predict how a lot of the decisions they made with their original vehicle would play out in the long term without much real world data behind it.

I guess my two cents here would be what do you value more? The product (and what it offers) or reliability? If the latter, then I'd long term the R1T is probably not the way to go. If you can deal with some uncertainty (or get an extended warranty) then the combination of tech, performance and capability that Rivian has to offer is really hard to match. IMO.

 

[bgoldber88]

My Rivian was coming up on the end of its warranty - I was also a very early adopter. I recently sold it and moved on to a different vehicle. I loved my R1T and I want Rivian to succeed, but, I live in a somewhat remote, fire-prone area and the lack of reliability really concerned me. If I need to evacuate in a fire is the R1T going to for sure get my family and I to safety? I came to the conclusion that I wasn't confident in that.

Beyond that, the potential plunge in value (beyond what I've already endured) when the R2 launches made me decide it was time.

Add on the never-ending software problems - my favorite of which was the remote key unlock not working for me after all this time. Holding a toddler, with another one holding your hand, with groceries in your other hand and trying to unlock the car with your phone - absolute nightmare and one that I was constantly going through. I also endured serious suspension issues that would be astronomically expensive outside of warranty.

I guess at the end of the day its cool that this vehicle can, when its functional, do all the cool stuff it advertises, but if you don't trust it work when you need it - are those features actually worthwhile?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Dump your RT1, keep the R1T.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

A 12v battery replacement is just a fact of life. It sucks in an EV because they need the 12v to be a short term power supply for other systems until such time as it needs to charge itself back up and engage the HV contacts. If it doesn't have the power to do so, then it continues to deplete the 12v until dead, and your SOL.

On a positive note, Rivian has made strides to maintaining the 12v systems, increasing the notice of a failing 12v battery, and broadening its ability to close the HV contacts at lower charge levels in the most recent update.

My 12v was replaced in November 2024? So I'm expecting my current one to go eventually, and when it does, I'll either go with OEM replacements or the Ohmmu 12v Sodium replacement due to come out.

 

[Jeff B.]

My Gen 1 R1T has been really great through 47,000 miles, but I do have similar concerns over long term reliability beyond the warranty period. I love the truck, so I am planning on hanging on to my Gen 1 and will add an extended warranty to help bridge the gap until Gen 3 is available.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

A 12v battery replacement is just a fact of life. It sucks in an EV because they need the 12v to be a short term power supply for other systems until such time as it needs to charge itself back up and engage the HV contacts. If it doesn't have the power to do so, then it continues to deplete the 12v until dead, and your SOL.

On a positive note, Rivian has made strides to maintaining the 12v systems, increasing the notice of a failing 12v battery, and broadening its ability to close the HV contacts at lower charge levels in the most recent update.

My 12v was replaced in November 2024? So I'm expecting my current one to go eventually, and when it does, I'll either go with OEM replacements or the Ohmmu 12v Sodium replacement due to come out.

And component failures, whether caused by accident or wear and tear, is a fact of vehicle ownership... for any car. Complaints told by OP match complaints of those who don't understand how things work. And just like those, read like overreaction. The ups and downs of car ownership is the same as every other aspect of life. Shit happens. Deal with it or move on. Dawdling in between gets you nowhere.

 

[Nixapatfan]

Unfortunately 12v is the achilleas heel, wouldn't be so bad if Rivian made it easily accessible and replaceable so it wouldn't require a tow truck and SC visit to replace/reset codes.

If the cost of the 12v batteries seems high then you probably want to move on, the suspension and brake parts pricing is way over the top and those are also wear items so bound to fail eventually.

 

[windblowlc]

This is nothingburger. Learn how to diy battery replacement?

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

It might be a bit of an overreaction, but I understand the frustration. If towing range is the priority, selling it and moving into a used Silverado EV with the larger battery could make sense since it has shown stronger long distance towing performance. I think they are hideous, but if you love the old Avalanche' style from GM, then its fine.

For me, I’m keeping the R1T for the long haul. I rarely tow more than 200 miles, so it fits my needs just fine and I just get a smile every single-time I drive it.

 

[superfly_snook]

One way to think about it is the maintenance issues with a Rivian are just different than other cars. $700 a year for a battery is less than oil and filters on my former SUVs and that’s not even getting to brakes. Based on your experience, if it were me, I would keep the Rivian.

 

[Dark-Fx]

On a positive note, Rivian has made strides to maintaining the 12v systems, increasing the notice of a failing 12v battery, and broadening its ability to close the HV contacts at lower charge levels in the most recent update.

I dislike when they mention stuff like this without giving us the nitty gritty. I just have to guess.

So my guess is, they figured out how to do it earlier in the boot process while pausing or reducing other heavy power users so the 12V battery would have more oomph to close the solenoid.

 

[electruck]

Outside of the initial factory warranty, yes, you will have to pay for new batteries. but those replacements should then be warrantied for 24 months so you're covered for a while. but at 25 months, you'd be on the hook to purchase replacements again.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I dislike when they mention stuff like this without giving us the nitty gritty. I just have to guess.

So my guess is, they figured out how to do it earlier in the boot process while pausing or reducing other heavy power users so the 12V battery would have more oomph to close the solenoid.

That's actually a pretty solid theory.

I am curious what the "user accessible" service menu will look like and what options and information it will allow owners to see. I hope it's more than just the RiDE menu 12v reset option.

Sponsored