Unexpected service center challenges

[skyguyscott]

Thought I would share some unexpected challenges as well as some good experiences i had when taking my R1T in for service today.

I had scheduled an appointment for late in the morning; I live about 80 miles from the closest service center down in Cincinnati. There were no major issues; I was missing some nut caps Rivian neglected to install on the inboard front seat bolts, and there was some annoying wind noise coming from the upper front corner of my driver’s side window. And as I was near 7500 miles, I thought they could do a tire rotation while I was there. This is my first service center appointment.

I figured I would just wait there for a few hours or so, since I couldn’t imagine it would take much longer. So I was surprised when they had me fill out forms for a loner vehicle.

on the one hand, it’s great that thy provide a loner, but, well, wow.

I dropped it off Friday morning and it looks like it will be Monday before it’s ready. Hmmm. So I get what I eventually discover is a Gen 1 R1S, then, after leaving, I notice it only has about a hundred miles left of range!

Ok, that should get me home, but then I realize that it probably does not have a NACS port, and I have a Tesla charger at home!

I turn around and head back to the SC, figuring that I can get an adapter, but then, I learn that there is no such approved adapter that goes from NACS to CCS!

Now I should point out that everyone I interacted with there was courteous and professional, even if they did seem a bit frazzled and tired.

I am now going to do some creative plan B modifications to my weekend plans to minimize mileage and still meet obligations. It’s a minor but surprisingly unexpected inconvenience. I’ll update the results, hopefully on Monday but I thought I’d share and let others do the same for whatever help it might give.

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[VSG]

For just tire rotations, it has always been less than an hour for me. If you plan to wait, or live far away from the service center, mention that when they contact you. If you want or expect a loaner, you should mention that instead. Basically, have the discussion before you show up.

Oh, and the loaner cars will charge for free with plug and charge - they're configured with Rivian's account. So free at compatible Tesla stations, Rivian chargers, Electrify America, and Ionna.

You want a NACS to J1772 (AC) adapter (not NACS to CCS, that's DC). They're about $100. Yeah there's no Rivian-approved one, but there are lots available and they all will work for the short time you need it.

 

[Time2Roll]

No CCS chargers anywhere? Vehicle should find something.

 

[McLovin]

And as I was near 7500 miles, I thought they could do a tire rotation while I was there. This is my first service center appointment.

I figured I would just wait there for a few hours or so, since I couldn’t imagine it would take much longer. So I was surprised when they had me fill out forms for a loner vehicle.

Since this was your first visit, and you only have 7500 miles, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say there’s some warranty work that needs to be done, in addition to the tire rotation.

Check your service status in the app. They should list warranty items on the invoice/statement of work.

 

[skyguyscott]

Oh, and the loaner cars will charge for free with plug and charge - they're configured with Rivian's account. So free at compatible Tesla stations, Rivian chargers, Electrify America, and Ionna.

thanks, lots of good information. I did call Rivian service to check about whether or not it was true that the loaners get free charging at certain charging stations, but after checking, the agent said that was incorrect; we pay for charging the loaner vehicles.

Now, I would think that the service center would give me a vehicle that had enough charge to drive it home and back, or failing that, a vehicle with the same charging port as my own vehicle so I could charge it when I got home, but that was not the case here. Is that too much to ask do you think?

 

[Time2Roll]

Like any gasser loan vehicle go to a station that has the fuel and pay.
Maybe even return it with more range than when it was given.

 

[Just Passing By]

Unexpected service center challenges ...

Halt, who goes there?
Stand and deliver!
Your money or your life!
Speak friend and enter!
What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

I definitely wouldn't expect those ... and of course I'd never expect the Spanish Inquisition

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[DanSexton]

Now imagine all of that with the service location 3+ hours away.

 

[Riviot]

Now imagine all of that with the service location 3+ hours away.

And it's uphill both ways!

 

[emoore]

I would have been happy just to get a loaner.

 

[skyguyscott]

I would have been happy just to get a loaner.

Yes, I have read that other SCs do not provide them, so I was glad I was provided wiith one.

while it’s probably par for the course my loaner was low on charge and a bit dirty inside and out; it’s also true a home run for a brand trying to promise luxury and position itself as high end would have been a fully charged clean loaner. Oh well, hardly the end of the world. I imagine they are just too swamped to be able to provide that level.

 

[TTedP]

Is this really a challenge? I’d be happy I got a loaner, pay a few $ at a Supercharger and move on.

When I got loaners at BMW (just pointing out the “luxury” comparison all the time), I had to put gas in them. I usually brought it back with more than they gave me.

 

[skyguyscott]

Wanted to give an update; the SC did not have the parts necessary to fix the driver's side window wind noise when I arrived back on Monday to retrieve the truck. But rather than wait an extra day or two, I elected to take my R1T home, and come back the following Monday and just wait a few hours at the SC for them to finish repairs.

Those repairs have been finished, and my window no longer whistles at speed! My brief stay at the SC was productive, as I brought my laptop and was able to get some projects done in peace, and even sipped on some complimentary coffee.

Evidently, there are no caps that go over the inboard front seat bolts, however. I plan to cover those deep wells with some gaffer's tape so as to avoid dirt and debris from collecting there.

Overall, the experience was easy, professional and pleasant, although of courseI hope these visits are rare. Hope to find some good garage much closer to home to handle the tire rotations.

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