2025 Gen 2 RIS HVAC Noise is Loud

[SouthernLCC]

Once the cabin cools down does the sound also reduce?

have not been able to determine yet. Only 24 hours in. I know when it sleeps it does.

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[mpshizzle]

have not been able to determine yet. Only 24 hours in. I know when it sleeps it does.

Please keep us posted. I've also heard rumors of a software update that is supposed to slow down the exterior fan a bit

 

[Zoidz]

Jealous of everyone here griping about the ac being loud only outside. Mine is loud both outside and inside. Combine the loud droning compressor sound inside the cabin with the super loud whooshing air flowing over the poorly designed vents, you can legit not have a conversation with someone on a phone. You have to wait a solid 10-15 mins before making a call as you can only then achieve comfort and turn the AC settings down.

Sounds like an issue with your system. I have no issues holding a cell phone conversation in 100 degree heat 1 minute after getting in the vehicle. Compressor is loud, yes, but it in no way affects cell phone conversations. In 100 degree heat, my R1S is down to 80 degrees in 3 to 4 minutes, and low 72 - 74 (which I consider comfortable) in 7 to 8 minutes, and compressor has ramped down in speed.

 

[dleepnw]

Love the vehicle. Literally just picked it up. Have not had much exposure yet, but it sounds like a jet engine from the HVAC. Let me say this is from the outside. Inside cannot hear it. Is that everyone's experience?

the main issue with the location of the HVAC in Gen1 was being right behind the firewall (the dashboard). it not only made the sound loud in the cabin, it actually created vibrations you could feel in your foot/steering wheel/seat. it was loud on the exterior as well.

for Gen2 they moved it to the front of the vehicle so there is now no/little vibration or noise in the cabin. id imagine its even louder outside though since it right behind the front grille. this is also one of the reasons they had to change the design of the frunk. its smaller to accommodate the location change of the HVAC.

 

[BearMan123]

If you search on my name, you will find several of my postings including my most recent “positive news.”

The problem is not the compressor for the heat pump. It was moved away from the firewall, down very close to the back side of the frunk, which reduced the size of the frunk slightly. When my entire frunk plastic was removed, I was show the new heat pump, tubing and fan.

The noise emanates from the fan and fan module, which is slanted at a 30’ish degree angle towards the front bumper in the front side of the frunk. This is a new part and module for Gen2.

The fan and fan module was after 3 weeks, replaced in mine with some reluctance from main engineering. The replacement materially improved the vibration and nearly non-existent (inside) on a mid 80’s day.

The vibration did start to come back as we whacked into a hot day yesterday. So, even with the new fan, there is a connection between how hard it works and how the vibration transmits. I care less about it being loud when I get out of the car. If you lock your doors in the garage, it stops. More the floor vibration and steering wheel which is most assuredly related to the installation or design of the part. If mine completely reverses course again with vibrations, at that point it will be a part design issue. We shall see in the next few days with a hot week ahead.

As I noted in other conversations, I’ll be tinting the roof and have already ceramic tinted everything else. The panoramic roof without a shade does not help with the heat inside the car. I’ll be working to address that tomorrow.

Going on a limb, they will re-design the fan in a subtle and quiet way, the only question being whether they wish to push it out reverse to all or only to those that really complain. It’s just a fan and module. If running the fan hard causes it to vibrate, then it’s like the crappy $99 ceiling fans from your favorite hardware store that wobble and that transmits everything down the chain in the frame and steering rack. It could be $200 part that’s the weak link here.

We have threads all over on Gen2 issues. If someone was smarter than I am and could create a spreadsheet with material issues, that would be good. Like, I had a bubble in my rear-view mirror glass that was a swap out part. I wouldn’t list something like that.

 

[C12farmer]

?...why can't they get the HVAC system right. Running the HVAC system full blast for extended times should be like test #1 of engineering validation. It should also be something the service center does during PDI, and also something every customer should do during the delivery process.

If this is a manufacturing issue with assembly or fan supplier, then there is a path to getting it fixed. Hopefully Rivian doesn't need to take the same "it's supposed to be like that" stance as Gen1

 

[RivianPGH]

the main issue with the location of the HVAC in Gen1 was being right behind the firewall (the dashboard). it not only made the sound loud in the cabin, it actually created vibrations you could feel in your foot/steering wheel/seat. it was loud on the exterior as well.

for Gen2 they moved it to the front of the vehicle so there is now no/little vibration or noise in the cabin. id imagine its even louder outside though since it right behind the front grille. this is also one of the reasons they had to change the design of the frunk. its smaller to accommodate the location change of the HVAC.

Although definitely quieter inside, Gen2 can still feel it in the steering wheel in some circumstances. As BearMan says, there is some question of where the problem lies and whether Rivian considers this expected behavior or not.

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