Four years, four R1Ts. An adventure and a bitter-sweet cautionary tale.

[onesoil]

This thread is great! Thank you OP for the data and writeup, and for everyone's responses which have been a very rational discussion (unlike some reddit threads that get downvoted or reliability concerns are just dismissed).

I'm unfortunately one of the unlucky ones. I'm 4 hours away from a service center (one way), and have visited it 6 times in less than 2 years of ownership. I haven't been stranded yet, but this is getting tiring. My service center has been absolutely amazing 90% of the time, but getting to know the staff by name isn't a good sign.

I've still got plenty of warranty left, so really hoping that as repairs are done, there are redesigned and improved parts being installed. Seeing this thread and the repeated failures of HVAC/dampers gives me real worries.

Hyundai has had their very public ICCU issue, which seems to be an engineering/design issue, and although they seem to have maybe (?) not solved it, nor been transparent about it, they have at least extended the warranty for that part for 15 years/180k miles. Rivian doing something similar for things like 12V, HVAC, and suspension would be a HUGE positive for customers, and signalling Rivian has confidence in their vehicles. Purchasing extended warranty is not an option where I live.

You’re welcome! I wish Rivian had any presence on this forum, tbh. I’ve never clicked with the Rivian subreddit—my posts are likely too verbose to be well suited to that platform —but I have also been met with criticism or crickets the few times I’ve tried. I tried because unfortunately it seems to be the only way to get Rivian exec’s attention unless you’re an influencer/reviewer.

I actually find it very unfortunate that there isn’t more participation directly with the online owner/prospective owner community—there’s so much to learn from direct customer engagement, and I’ve never felt that from the brand (and not for lack of occasionally trying to do so more directly).

I’m sorry to hear that you too have had many SC trips (most of our trips were 3.5+ hours away to Chelsea, MA, which is a humorously lousy and frustrating location for them to have chosen—requiring one to travel through the worst of Boston traffic to get in/out often adding 45+ min to the trip depending on time of day —luckily no longer required). I can relate (obviously), and I wish I knew how much of a minority we truly are (or are not) among Gen 1 owners (and Gen 2 for that matter).

I really like your idea of Rivian extending warranties for certain frequently failing components. That would go a long way in restoring my faith in the brand, and would acknowledge that these repeat failures shouldn’t be accepted as “normal.” At the moment, it just makes me feel gaslit to be treated like these frequent repeat failures are just business as usual… A brand should strive to be ever better, but at least public acknowledgement of one’s failures with attempts made to address them would keep people like me in their brand. Simply moving on to the next one (R1 G2, R2, etc.) and touting how improved they are while ignoring the failed first attempt (and trying to trade you into the new model as a means of addressing your issues with the last Gen model) feels like the wrong ethic to adopt, which sadly is all I’ve seen so far from Rivian.

I’m sure it’s too much to wish that some company would develop a platform whose hardware is intended to be upgraded over time (much like the software that they focus so much on improving), but how cool would it be if there were a more modular hardware development mindset that attempted to slow obsolescence rather than perpetuate the acceleration of it? I would pay for hardware upgrades to stay current if that were an option (and if the platform were robust to begin with). One can dream, anyway… but I digress…

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[onesoil]

Hi Sid, great post! Is there anyone at Rivian you could send it to (in PDF form)? Sometimes I think they just keep rolling along ignoring issues. At least your post would give them well documented proof of real life vehicle problems their customer face and how that impacts potential future sales to previous owners.

I did send it to a few people last week (thanks in large part to the encouragement of posts such as this). I have gotten responses from both channels (Northeast Regional Service Manager and a Customer Loyalty Progran Sales Manager). Both have confirmed receipt and that assure me that they will get back to me soon. I am expecting a meeting with the Loyalty Program person this week—he said he was going to research our ownership story and get set up a meeting with some of his team.

I’ll update the thread when (if) I get anywhere in these discussions. Next step might be to discuss buybacks/arbitration if they don’t come up with a fairly appealing alternative. We shall see!

 

[onesoil]

My question is how did this past 3.5 years compare to the fleet they replaced?
That being asked, I do hope someone comes up with a setup to replace the exceptionally complex suspension system with some coils/struts so these things don't start clogging up salvage yards when a damper starts leaking and the 3rd owners can't afford to spend what they paid for the vehicle to have it repaired. Or at least some a/m options for replacement parts and a Hanes guide for the DIY crowd. We're a huge group, btw.

I can’t say, as this was basically the first four vehicles of a new initiative to offer EVs as part of employee compensation packages as a means of reducing overall carbon footprint of our business, while also addressing one of the larger cost centers in our employees lives as well as—perhaps ironically, in retrospect, given the headaches these trucks have caused—alleviating one of the more stress-causing elements of daily life for our dedicated, long-term committed members of our crew.

The other EVs (Hondas and Hyundais) have been relatively trouble free in comparison. For those of us who have the Rivians, all our previous vehicles were significantly less troublesome, but they weren’t used in quite the same ways when they weren’t provided by us (well, mine and my father’s were, but not for the other two).

I may have more to compare if we go a different route after the two leases are up.

 

[krb1183]

I agree with pretty much everything here. I haven't posted about it yet, but I traded in my R1S last week for a Ram RHO for many of the same reasons listed here. I had 35K on it and had quite the list of service issues. Rivian's 180-degree turn on loaners being discretionary and the 3-hour one-way drive to a service center were ultimately the nails in the coffin for me.

My Rivians were great vehicles when they were in service, but I'm hoping my new truck is something I can forget about until I need to go somewhere.

Bummer Donald! I brought my R1S back up to Franklin last week as strangely enough the radio wasn't working. (never really used it but have before) I've been trying to use it again with Alexa disabled i can't just play my Amazon Music. Having known better from before, i figured i'd bring it up and spend a few nights in Nashville and bring it home on Saturday (never had a service appt completed same day). They said they ordered the part, and had it on hand reserved for me. I was also having them do a comprehensive inspection. However, on saturday when i went back to pick it up, they told me they didn't have the part, and they were still waiting on it. Luckily enough, they gave me a r1S trimax loaner, and they messaged me yesterday they received the part, and this morning that they are working on it. The bummer again, is i'll need to spend next saturday driving back up there and then back. 2 hours is long, i can't imagine 3 each way. Godspeed!

 

[themooser]

3 years 35,000 milles, sorry I don't have even one line
No trips to the service center. My R1T has been flawless. Of course knock on wood 🪵

 

[Husky]

3 years 35,000 milles, sorry I don't have even one line
No trips to the service center. My R1T has been flawless. Of course knock on wood 🪵

As a prospective R2 buyer and first time Rivian owner, that's refreshing to hear.

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