2023 R1T completely Dead

[YellowCompass]

I read others refer to this as being bricked. I last drove it on Sunday afternoon and plugged into my level 2 home charger in the garage when I arrived home that day. I didn't leave the house yesterday or today. I got a notification for the security cam in my garage this evening around 6pm ET when motion was detected. The detected motion was actually the left rear turn signal blinking on and off repetitively. The doors were locked and I could hear beeping in the cabin. Gear guard wasn't activated on the middle display and I could not unlock using my iPhone, card, or key fob. Within 15min of the turn signal blinking and cabin beeping, it seemed to lose total power. I received a notification from the Rivian app at 10am ET this morning indicating the charge complete at 70% (after it topped off from vampire drain).

I'm not sure what triggered it, but it's toast at the moment. When I opened the iPhone app, it indicated to replace the 12V battery immediately and popped up a message to call Rivian Service. So I called them and opened a service ticket. They've submitted a request for evaluation by mobile service tomorrow and a tow pickup for Thursday morning in case mobile service declines support. The app also indicated that cloud connectivity is down.

I've done some reading here and on Reddit and it seems like this issue could be triggered by one or both 12V batteries failure. But I don't understand why a battery that is less than 2 years old would fail. I couldn't imagine the HV battery is actually drained to 0% from 70% while sitting in the garage b/w 10am-6pm while plugged into the wall charger.

I haven't tried jump starting.

Any theories for trigger or suggestions for home remedies?

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[Riv E In]

I had a similar experience. Shared mine here.

My best guess is you need both the 12v and HV batteries replaced, it will take a few days, and you will not be given a satisfactory explanation as to why it happened.

Sorry you’re having to deal with this, and best of luck!

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Jumpstart will probably get you going.

Carry a jump start kit. I always have (12 volts have been the weak link in ICE cars as well) and had to use it via the cables at the back (under the hitch cover) a couple years ago when early on I had a 12 volt issue in my R1T. In that instance, Rivian replaced my batteries under warranty. Luck of the draw, I had a similar issue in the first few months of owning my Ridgeline some years ago. 12 volt batteries and their infrastructure are chancy. Batteries sometimes fail before they should...that's why they have a warranty.

 

[YellowCompass]

Thanks for the inputs so far!

I tried the jump start and was able to successfully unlock the doors. The center and driver display comes on but that's about all. I can navigate the menus but cannot make changes to any Service Settings. I wanted to enable the flatbed towing mode. I closed the charging port door and now it will not open again manually (touching side) or via app or center display. I cannot open frunk, gear tunnel or lower tailgate either. Another odd symptom is that when I was able to unlock, it only popped the handles out on the driver side door (not passenger side). And again, only the left tail/turn light came on. The center display does show that it's at 70% charge.

I read the tow guide about how to manually open the frunk, but that's a tight squeeze to remove those screws from wheel well without being able to turn the wheels first. I suppose, even if I could I wouldn't replace the 12V batteries myself since it's under warranty.

I'll still welcome ideas if anyone suspects the trigger has changed based on revised symptoms above.

I hope the mobile service can replace those 12V batteries. If not, it will be a 180 mile tow to the nearest service center. And to top it off my tire tread is low and I noticed a screw in one of the tires on Sunday. So I had ordered tires which are supposed to be delivered to Discount Tire tomorrow for intallation on Thursday. I can tell that the tire pressure has lowered a bit just by looking at it. If it has to be towed to service center, I suppose I'll ask Tire Rack/Discount Tire to re-ship to location near the service center for the day I go to pick it up. What a mess.

 

[Mathme]

It seems the 12v batteries are a weak link in these vehicles. Not quite sure why there’s such small batteries in these vehicles that have a lot of low voltage draw

 

[Riviot]

I was a signalman in a previous life, I got you...

"F-R-E-E M-E"

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Each 12v battery powers one side of the vehicle. Don't ask me why. Sometimes in 2023 they switched over to a single 12v with a capacitor (looks like two batteries at a glance but it's not).

After jump starting it, you need to get into frunk and both 12v batteries need to be recharged.

 

[NY_Rob]

Sorry OP, but due to the odd vehicle behavior observed before the 12V batt(s) went dead, I'm guessing it's more than just a 12V battery issue.

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Thanks for the inputs so far!

I tried the jump start and was able to successfully unlock the doors. The center and driver display comes on but that's about all. I can navigate the menus but cannot make changes to any Service Settings. I wanted to enable the flatbed towing mode. I closed the charging port door and now it will not open again manually (touching side) or via app or center display. I cannot open frunk, gear tunnel or lower tailgate either. Another odd symptom is that when I was able to unlock, it only popped the handles out on the driver side door (not passenger side). And again, only the left tail/turn light came on. The center display does show that it's at 70% charge.

I read the tow guide about how to manually open the frunk, but that's a tight squeeze to remove those screws from wheel well without being able to turn the wheels first. I suppose, even if I could I wouldn't replace the 12V batteries myself since it's under warranty.

I'll still welcome ideas if anyone suspects the trigger has changed based on revised symptoms above.

I hope the mobile service can replace those 12V batteries. If not, it will be a 180 mile tow to the nearest service center. And to top it off my tire tread is low and I noticed a screw in one of the tires on Sunday. So I had ordered tires which are supposed to be delivered to Discount Tire tomorrow for intallation on Thursday. I can tell that the tire pressure has lowered a bit just by looking at it. If it has to be towed to service center, I suppose I'll ask Tire Rack/Discount Tire to re-ship to location near the service center for the day I go to pick it up. What a mess.

My batteries were changed by mobile service, so should be OK.

 

[dleepnw]

its like one of those heart monitors and then it flatlines

 

[YellowCompass]

Wow, great experience with Rivian service. The issue started at 6pm yesterday. I was on the phone with Rivian by 6:30pm yesterday. They sent mobile service out today at 2:30pm and the issue was resolved by 3:30pm with a single battery replacement as some here had speculated as the root cause (thank you!).

Given my location (180mi from nearest service center), I couldn't be happier with the response and resolution time. The mobile service guy lived only 15mi from my house so it's great to know someone is local.

I was expecting to see one of the R1T mobile service trucks decked out like I've seen photos of online, but he showed up in Ford Transit decked out with all kinds of tooling...ability to replace tires, etc from the van. It had an awning to work under for shade. He said his Rivian mobile setup blew away the Tesla mobile setup where he worked for several years. He was super knowledgeable, efficient and checked for some recall stuff too.

Now I can breath easier and keep my tire replacement appointment for tomorrow.

Adventure on!

 

[PhatDaddy]

So just curious… how did you (or the Mobil tech) get into the frunk? Another jump manage to get it open, or did you have to resort to fender well manual cable release?

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