12v Lead Acid Battery Replacement

[Riviot]

Can you clarify what the "4 year old problem" is? I am not convinced it is Rivian specific, but maybe I don't understand what you are referring to.

12v battery errors and notifications that prohibit you from installing updates or doing other DIY items without first clearing said codes by a $235/hr in-house tech.

Literally every other vehicle on the market let's you, or an AutoZone employee, change the 12v battery without issue.

Shoving the 12v underneath the passenger seat isn't an "innovative design," it's an intentional sludge decision to force customers towards in-house $235/hr labor jobs.

Sponsored

 

[mkhuffman]

12v battery errors and notifications that prohibit you from installing updates or doing other DIY items without first clearing said codes by a $235/hr in-house tech.

Literally every other vehicle on the market let's you, or an AutoZone employee, change the 12v battery without issue.

Shoving the 12v underneath the passenger seat isn't an "innovative design," it's an intentional sludge decision to force customers towards in-house $235/hr labor jobs.

OK, I understand. It isn't the difficulty of replacing the LVB, it's the system update that is needed after replacement that only Rivian Service can do. For now. You are right, and I am glad they plan to fix it.

 

[csharp]

This is great news, but unfortunately it won't help those of us who have DIY swapped in new batteries and have the 'replace 12v battery' error. Because with this error the truck won't update, so I won't be able to get this new software tool to load.

FWIW, he didnt update anything on my truck before connecting to it. Right now all of our trucks can be connected to remotely. So I am not sure that you will HAVE to have a software update in order for it to work. My guess is the software update will be more of UI update to request the service. But I have no idea.

 

[zymolysis]

Can you clarify what the "4 year old problem" is? I am not convinced it is Rivian specific, but maybe I don't understand what you are referring to.

I think I can answer that - a poorly designed 12V system which causes early battery failure, compounded by a difficult (or impossible) to source replacement battery, compounded by an "all service must be done by our techs" mentality (right down to the error code must be reset by our techs). Finally, they are taking a few baby steps toward being owner-repair friendly (e.g. owner can now change the wheel/tire in software), and this - being able to reset the battery error without a service appointment. I hope that this new direction is taking hold.

 

[Zoidz]

Shoving the 12v underneath the passenger seat isn't an "innovative design," it's an intentional sludge decision to force customers towards in-house $235/hr labor jobs.

I still scratch my head on why Rivian thought it was a reasonable decision to put the battery under the seat. It goes against all engineering, safety and service logic. It stinks of "enshittification" which I really did not expect from Rivian.

 

[mkhuffman]

I still scratch my head on why Rivian thought it was a reasonable decision to put the battery under the seat. It goes against all engineering, safety and service logic. It stinks of "enshittification" which I really did not expect from Rivian.

The 12V battery is under the passenger seat in my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee. They have been putting it there for years. My MB had it in the trunk.

I don't think Rivian's placement is unusual or bad. In fact, putting it in the passenger compartment means it gets naturally warmed or cooled by the truck's cabin climate control. I bet it improves battery life putting it there.

 

[Zoidz]

The 12V battery is under the passenger seat in my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee. They have been putting it there for years. My MB had it in the trunk.

I don't think Rivian's placement is unusual or bad. In fact, putting it in the passenger compartment means it gets naturally warmed or cooled by the truck's cabin climate control. I bet it improves battery life putting it there.

All of our BMWs have the battery located in the rear. On the cars, it is right rear, offsetting the front left driver weight for "perfect" weight distribution.

I just believe that as a "consumable" you should not have to remove a seat to inspect or replace the battery. It's about as logical as some vehicles where you have you have to loosen motor mounts and shift the motor to change spark plugs.

 

[mkhuffman]

All of our BMWs have the battery located in the rear. On the cars, it is right rear, offsetting the front left driver weight for "perfect" weight distribution.

I just believe that as a "consumable" you should not have to remove a seat to inspect or replace the battery. It's about as logical as some vehicles where you have you have to loosen motor mounts and shift the motor to change spark plugs.

I think you believe raising the seat to get to the battery is harder than removing a frunk cover and cross bar (which is what I had to do in my Mach-e). Personally I don't think it is hard to get to, and I definitely prefer that to what I did to change the battery in the MME, and that was really easy IMO.

There were two batteries in my MB, and the one in the engine compartment was really hard to get to. The one in the trunk was easier, but still not really any easier than getting to the one in my R1T.

The problem is not the access, but the software process we cannot execute after changing the battery. IMO that is not acceptable. The LVB should be user replaceable.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Gen 2 battery location is probably part packaging problem (due to all of the changes they made, heat pump etc.) and part cost saving. Under passenger seat doesn't add much wiring, plus it's free space that no one would miss. And they probably figured, since it's a sealed AGM, no harm sticking it there on its side. Until a bad bracket design (or toque spec) cracked battery casings and cause leaks... forcing a recall/TSB. One of many expensive mistakes.

 

[Zoidz]

I think you believe raising the seat to get to the battery is harder than removing a frunk cover and cross bar (which is what I had to do in my Mach-e). Personally I don't think it is hard to get to, and I definitely prefer that to what I did to change the battery in the MME, and that was really easy IMO.

There were two batteries in my MB, and the one in the engine compartment was really hard to get to. The one in the trunk was easier, but still not really any easier than getting to the one in my R1T.

The problem is not the access, but the software process we cannot execute after changing the battery. IMO that is not acceptable. The LVB should be user replaceable.

Yes, the LVB should be user replaceable. I would have no issue doing it - two weeks ago I pulled the seat out of my Avalanche chasing an electrical issue. But I think the average owner who might replace a battery will think twice about pulling a seat, and if Autozone ever sells a replacement I doubt they will remove a seat to do it.

 

[Riviot]

I still scratch my head on why Rivian thought it was a reasonable decision to put the battery under the seat. It goes against all engineering, safety and service logic. It stinks of "enshittification" which I really did not expect from Rivian.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sludge_theory

 

[mkhuffman]

Yes, the LVB should be user replaceable. I would have no issue doing it - two weeks ago I pulled the seat out of my Avalanche chasing an electrical issue. But I think the average owner who might replace a battery will think twice about pulling a seat, and if Autozone ever sells a replacement I doubt they will remove a seat to do it.

I think all you need to do is motor the seat all the way to the forward position, remove the bolts and tilt the seat up toward the front. I don't think you actually need remove it from the truck. But I have never done it myself.

 

[PatientIsopod]

Bad news. After less than a year (if you're following along, I'm OP of this thread), I'm once again getting the "Replace 12V Battery" message. And once again, the next available appointment is a month and a half away. I'm talking to Rivian support about it but I'm definitely pretty annoyed that these replacements didn't even last a full 12 months. They almost did, it would be a couple of weeks from today. But they should last much longer than that..

 

[VSG]

I still scratch my head on why Rivian thought it was a reasonable decision to put the battery under the seat. It goes against all engineering, safety and service logic

This is not something Rivian invented. For example the Ford Transit vans have had their battery under the driver's seat for more than a decade.

Sponsored