Someone, talk me out of dumping my R1T

[BCondrey]

Buy an R2, sell the R1T, get a utility trailer. Done.

Sponsored

 

[JamboF4]

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?

Just get rid of it and put us out of the misery of reading this crap. Be an adult…Jesus!

 

[strykerwsu]

I wish I could be the voice of reason (to stay with Rivian), but alas, I cant.

Dampers at nearly $6000 a piece out of warranty is just ludicris.

I am also thinking about leaving Rivian. Mine is for different reasons thou.

My biggest hang up.. That 835/915 power rating. It puts a smile on my face everytime!

The F150, Sierra/Silverado, EV9, and Hummer all have me intrigued thou. The radio in the EV9 sucks (even the top tier), but the seats are nice. I have not tried the rest yet.

$5k warranty and unless you own the truck/suv for more than 12 years you're covered.

 

[rdevillers]

We had a couple early Tesla Model S’s and their 12v batteries would die every 18 months or so. At first you had little warning but over the years Tesla improved the 12v monitoring and you’d get a warning 2-3 weeks in advance.

Ultimately Telsa fixed the slow drain issue via software and after 4 years neither car had the 12v battery die.

We also had a 2022 Model Y (with a li-ion 12v battery) for 3 years and never had any 12v problems. You can now buy replacement lead acid batteries for early Model 3’s at O’reilly’s for about $80.

Patience, Rivian will continue to improve over time

 

[GreggVA]

You should definitely dump it at a very low price to me

I understand the concern but any vehicle is going to have some flaw that makes it seem unreliable if you fixate on that issue. Things break. Have a backup plan.

What are you considering dumping it for? Bet we can find an equal flaw in that vehicle as well.

 

[Christopher1000]

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?

I sold my R1T late last year after owing it since launch. I moved to a Volvo EX90. Do I regret the change? I'm some ways yes because this Volvo is so luxurious and the ride so smooth that I hate to get it dirty from hikes and trail runs. The Rivian was made for it all.

All of the EVs have problems. Go to any of the discussion boards.

 

[Space Cowboy]

Lightning isn’t canceled. They’re converting it to a EREV. Try to keep up.

I'm leaving Rivian at the end of my lease. Big complaints with Rivian being PaaK, Virtual Vents, clunky awful suspension, and a few other asinine design features. I already know I'll miss the gear tunnel, and user interface, but they aren't strong enough draws to deal with Rivians crap daily livability.

I still want an EV pickup but pickings are slim out there. I liked the Scout (already a VW/Audi fan) but they're delayed. Lightning is cancelled (although I'm still going to shop them on the used market). I had a reservation on a Silverado EV when they first released, but dropped it because a $100k truck wasn't realistic 3yrs ago. Rolling dumpster of Cybertruk is out, and the Hummer EV likely won't fit in my garage (not sure the Sierra will either to be fair).

How have you liked the move from Rivian to the AT4? I'm really curious to hear how people have liked the move. Rivian has a very compelling product outside of a few issues.

 

[superfly_snook]

It's doubtful you paid $700 a year in oil changes unless you were driving ALOT. Also, being in need of an oil change is far different from having your vehicle bricked (possibly without warning) and requiring a tow and SC visit....

curious why you find this doubtful? You ever owned an Audi Q7? What did you pay annually for filters and oil and how many miles did you put on it?

 

[2kwik4u]

Lightning isn’t canceled. They’re converting it to a EREV. Try to keep up.

I can't, I've tried..... although, IMO and EREV might as well be a cancel. All the complexity of two drivelines with little real world application aside from a market that's more niche than the EV pickup already is.

 

[2kwik4u]

curious why you find this doubtful? You ever owned an Audi Q7? What did you pay annually for filters and oil and how many miles did you put on it?

I'm not who you quoted, but........I owned a '17 Q7. Changed the oil 4 times a year on average. Every 5k miles-ish. About $120/change doing it in the garage. So about $500/yr.

$700/yr is completely plausible if you payed the dealership to do the work.

I do agree though, an oil change missed won't unexpectedly brick the vehicle. My Rivian has been bricked twice now due to a failed 12V system. AND, because the handles are electric and there's no physical key, I was locked out. Once with my wallet in the console, which is also powered by the 12V system, so I couldn't reach my AAA card. It's an absurdly awful system that has far larger implications than a dead 12V in almost any other vehicle.

 

[Viking80]

2. Replace with an Ohmu sodium. Should last 3-4 years.

Does anyone have experience with Ohmu or other sodium 12V batteries?

 

[superfly_snook]

I'm not who you quoted, but........I owned a '17 Q7. Changed the oil 4 times a year on average. Every 5k miles-ish. About $120/change doing it in the garage. So about $500/yr.

$700/yr is completely plausible if you payed the dealership to do the work.

I do agree though, an oil change missed won't unexpectedly brick the vehicle. My Rivian has been bricked twice now due to a failed 12V system. AND, because the handles are electric and there's no physical key, I was locked out. Once with my wallet in the console, which is also powered by the 12V system, so I couldn't reach my AAA card. It's an absurdly awful system that has far larger implications than a dead 12V in almost any other vehicle.

I’d be super frustrated if that happened to me. Oil, brakes are easy to check and proactively replace. 12V batteries on most cars give some warning signs before they die. I’d be all for some sort of battery health gauge and warning to get it replaced - at least it’s possible as Rivian has been proactively replacing batteries based on data their engineers can see - which they did in my case when I took it in for something else. I just don’t agree with the sentiment that it’s some massive betrayal that we have to pay for a new battery every 2 years at $700.

 

[azbill]

I actually traded my R1T for an Escalade IQ Sport today. My wife has been wanting a three row SUV to haul grandkids in, and I found a really good deal on one. My R1T had too many irritating software issues, the latest being that Rivian told me phantom braking in Driver+ was "normal". My warranty would be expiring later this year and I am convinced the noisy suspension would not last much longer.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I seriously hope they fix this with the R2 and all Rivians moving forward (R3, Gen3 R1s, etc.) I think they will given how much of an issue this continues to be, not to mention they have a new simplified electrical architecture.

I watched a few YouTube videos on the matter and one person speculated that the 12V battery is not powerful enough to hold a charge long enough, so it ends up draining the main battery in order to recharge itself. Add in Gear Guard and the vampire drain from the recharging cycle increases even more, wearing out the battery that much faster.

If your vehicle is out of warranty you can do whatever you like to it. I looked this up about replacing the 12V battery in a Rivian with a lithium-ion battery and here’s what it said:

“Yes, you can replace the 12V battery in a Rivian with a lithium battery, specifically a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, which is designed as a drop-in replacement. However, it's important to confirm whether your Rivian model requires a single or dual 12V battery system before making a purchase.”

https://evannex.com/products/12v-lithium-battery-set-for-rivian-r1t-r1s

Obviously purchase and modify your truck at your own risk. I hope something like this works for you and for everyone.

Sponsored