Rivian dropped my truck!

[cohall]

I’m going to assume OP is a good person in a shitty situation, so I’m not going to post the letter (despite the fact he himself posted a link to it on Facebook). Should never have been posted online, but it still feels inappropriate to share since it has names and addresses, etc.

But I will share a direct quote where he lays out what he is asking for:

When asked what I would be comfortable receiving, I responded with a 2026 R1T, dual max, with 22” black sport rims, green color and dark interior (this is one of the configurations sent in a screenshot on February 19, 2026. This is as close as I can get to my original truck (betterment, not detriment). I do acknowledge the requested replacement truck is a betterment, going from Gen 1 to Gen 2 with a max pack. I feel this is a reasonable compromise and fulfills Rivian’s commitment to making me whole. The accessories purchased included a home charger, spare tire and tire changing kit, all weather mats, running boards and window tinting. I also recently placed new tires on the vehicle which have less than 2000 miles on them. None of these accessories would be compatible with a new truck. Thus I am thankful for Rivian refunding my purchase price on these items

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[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Is it just me, or has there been an uptick in "brand new accounts whose only post is blasting Rivian service, with no photos or evidence" posts recently?

No more than usual? Some owners are just not active participants. They only join to post "OMG, my world is falling apart and it's all Rivian's fault." What car forum isn't like this?

Funny, I just posted this same question what, a week ago?

Reminds me I should go check on my Chevy truck forum. Been a while. Wonder how they're coming along with the 600,000+ recalls? You want to talk about "people being mad in a forum..."

 

[derekmw]

I’m going to assume OP is a good person in a shitty situation, so I’m not going to post the letter (despite the fact he himself posted a link to it on Facebook). Should never have been posted online, but it still feels inappropriate to share since it has names and addresses, etc.

But I will share a direct quote where he lays out what he is asking for:

Wow….im speechless. And since they wouldn’t give him this he goes out reaching out to media to try to get coverage.

Yes I also feel bad for what happened to him but he needs to be reasonable and accept compensation that’s in proportion to what happened.

 

[tmbm50]

Delusional to draft a letter like that, let alone post it.....can't argue about that.

I just found it on facebook, its quite the read and he lost me when he started discussing he wanted the 22" all season tires, which now means a max pack to get more miles....despite his broken truck not having the 22" wheels.

I was for him based on his post, but based on his letter demanding a new truck since he "tends to only buy new" he is making Rivian looking like the reasonable party.

 

[NY_Rob]

Delusional to draft a letter like that, let alone post it.....

... seems to be a lot of delusional stuff being posted online lately

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

... seems to be a lot of delusional stuff being posted online lately

Spring's in the air...?

 

[NoCo2]

While it sucks that they initially offered you a new vehicle and reneged there’s nothing wrong with offering to make a full financial compensation for your loss. Your truck isn’t worth the replacement value, that’s an unfortunate but simple truth. They would pay you what your truck is worth just like most insurance payouts if you totaled it in the road. Unless a policy specifies replacement value that’s never what you receive.

Have you considered filing a claim through your own insurance if your policy is for full new model replacement value?

I did not involve my insurance as I don’t see the need to take my premiums when I’m at no fault in this situation.

 

[NoCo2]

If what I'm thinking is correct, are you saying you want Rivian to pay for your full use of the truck the 3 years you've had it because of the mishap?

If you read the entire post, you’d see I had the truck less than 2 years. The initial offer was full replacement and then rescinded 2 weeks later with no explanation given.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I did not involve my insurance as I don’t see the need to take my premiums when I’m at no fault in this situation.

Insurance isn't only for when it's your fault. They are the ones offering coverage on your property, regardless of whose fault it is. Unless they decline, they can be enlisted to represent your interests. It's what you pay them for. And since it's not your fault, there is no risk of insurance increasing your premiums.

 

[NoCo2]

I would be satisfied if Rivian offered to replace my vehicle with a preowned vehicle of the same year and specs + any upgrades (ones that are undamaged could be removed from your damaged vehicle and installed on the replacement vehicle) from their inventory of preowned vehicles. Expecting a 2026 replacement of a 3-year old used vehicle is unrealistic in my view, regardless of what you were told initially. Has Rivian even offered this option versus repairing your “totalled” vehicle?

Full replacement was not an expectation. It was offered and I accepted as I thought Rivian was trying to do the right thing.

 

[NoCo2]

I'm the opposite from most of you here. I think Rivian should take full responsibility and bend over backwards to make this situation right. OP's truck fell off a lift and is effectively ruined, these trucks already depreciate extremely hard. Rivian should offer a new dual motor large pack (maybe a max) in exchange.

It's not like this is a common occurrence. At the end of the day, a single new truck from Rivian is barely a blip on their books.

Thank you! I agree with this idea, especially since it was offered. I would think taking care of a customer in this way would be way better than the negative publicity by not doing so.

 

[Thedude]

I did not involve my insurance as I don’t see the need to take my premiums when I’m at no fault in this situation.

Your premium won’t increase for a non-fault accident. Your insurance will pay out based on your policy and then take up the matter with Rivian.

 

[NoCo2]

I disagree with the premise that this is just another accident. It's negligence on the part of the Rivian service center.

Even if it were the equivalent of just another accident, that is not the way a brand such as Rivian should be treating the incident. If they want to be an American, Luxury, Quality, (insert other glorifying adjectives) brand, then they need to do the right thing and go above and beyond what would be done in just another accident.

Should the OP expect a brand new 2026 R1T to replace the damaged 2023 R1T? No, probably not. But a reputable, luxury, quality brand may just go ahead and do that in order to show how committed they are to customer service and to standing behind their products and service.

At a minimum, I believe they should provide a like for like replacement. A certified pre-owned 2023 RIT dual motor, large battery with around 30k miles in pristine condition. Otherwise, it's really bad optics for Rivian.

I agree that the optics are bad for Rivian. They had an opportunity to turn a terrible situation into a tremendous situation, full of positivity. Shame on them for rescinding the original offer (and it was not expected).

 

[NY_Rob]

Reminds me I should go check on my Chevy truck forum. Been a while. Wonder how they're coming along with the 600,000+ recalls? You want to talk about "people being mad in a forum..."

Um, if you get bored on the Chevy forum, for laughs visit a Jeep forum... talk about anger

Can't blame the owners though.. at one point recently Jeep told us 4xe owners because of a possible battery fire concern not to charge the traction battery but use the gas engine instead. Then, concurrently they discovered sand from factory casting in some engine blocks which caused another recall, but this time on the gas engine. Jeep was clueless and issued advice this time like "try not to use the gas engine". So we can't charge the traction battery and are advised to "try not to use the gas engine". Seriously? These clowns make Rivian Corp look like genius's

 

[tmbm50]

If you read the entire post, you’d see I had the truck less than 2 years. The initial offer was full replacement and then rescinded 2 weeks later with no explanation given.

Your letter you posted did NOT explicitly say they offered a brand new 2026. Only that a replacement at your "betterment". So thats like a 2023 with less miles...or maybe even a 2024.

Betterment does not mean 2026 brand new. Most of your accessories would work just fine with a low milage 2024...saving you all that trouble of replacing accessories.

It seems you start asking for new 2026 and they realize your not on the same wave lenght.

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