Brand new R1S is DEAD

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Search the topic and you would see this is not an isolated issue among Rivians, but also not majority. It is also not a Rivian specific problem among all EVs. The 12V supply power to the computers governing the car. High voltage pack supply power to the drive systems. The HV pack is supposed to replenish the 12V if latter falls below a certain %. For whatever reasons, it doesn’t—either faulty battery management, or faulty 12V, or a drain that is at a rater faster than rate of replenishment. Rivian should have plenty of experience in this now. If they can get to you, it shouldn’t take long to get you back on the road. It may be as simple as swapping in a new 12V, 30-45 minutes.

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[Steve A.]

Search the topic and you would see this is not an isolated issue among Rivians, but also not majority. It is also not a Rivian specific problem among all EVs. The 12V supply power to the computers governing the car. High voltage pack supply power to the drive systems. The HV pack is supposed to replenish the 12V if latter falls below a certain %. For whatever reasons, it doesn’t—either faulty battery management, or faulty 12V, or a drain that is at a rater faster than rate of replenishment. Rivian should have plenty of experience in this now. If they can get to you, it shouldn’t take long to get you back on the road. It may be as simple as swapping in a new 12V, 30-45 minutes.

All true, but in reality, it's HIGHLY dependent upon when/where your Rivian was bricked and your SC's backlog.

FWIW, when I didn't hear from my SC the next business day morning (Monday) after my R1S was towed for the 12V bricking (Friday afternoon), I reached out to Rivian support and then several hours later the SC called me and told me that the standard service policy was that they have up to 48 hours to look at your vehicle.

They did get around to looking at it the second business day and had it replaced by cob that day, but made me wonder if that would have been the case if I hadn't had to ping them.

 

[Boo23]

Dodge had the same issue on Hellcats for a while just a batch of bad batteries, it happens on ICE vehicles as well.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

All true, but in reality, it's HIGHLY dependent upon when/where your Rivian was bricked and your SC's backlog.

FWIW, when I didn't hear from my SC the next business day morning (Monday) after my R1S was towed for the 12V bricking (Friday afternoon), I reached out to Rivian support and then several hours later the SC called me and told me that the standard service policy was that they have up to 48 hours to look at your vehicle.

They did get around to looking at it the second business day and had it replaced by cob that day, but made me wonder if that would have been the case if I hadn't had to ping them.

Growing pains and early adopter life. Along same ilk, I suspect Rivian did not get best quality of goods/services and attention from suppliers when they negotiated there parts supply originally… for being new and small compared to legacy auto. We know from official statements, some by RJ himself, that some of those relationships are being reviewed.

Post COVID skimping is a real thing among suppliers too. As they try to recoup losses.

 

[iansriv]

OP-sorry to hear about this. I love my Rivian but this is one of the biggest achilles heal for Rivian. Mine is about 6 months old and the "little battery" went dead a couple of months ago. Luckily it was on my driveway and not in the wild. Rivian stepped up with fantastic service and sent remote help. Everything has been perfect since. I want Rivian to be the best car company. The only way they will get there is to proactively address these types of issues. As bad as it may feel right now, it will get better. Hang in there.

 

[iBang]

Search the topic and you would see this is not an isolated issue among Rivians, but also not majority. It is also not a Rivian specific problem among all EVs. The 12V supply power to the computers governing the car. High voltage pack supply power to the drive systems. The HV pack is supposed to replenish the 12V if latter falls below a certain %. For whatever reasons, it doesn’t—either faulty battery management, or faulty 12V, or a drain that is at a rater faster than rate of replenishment. Rivian should have plenty of experience in this now. If they can get to you, it shouldn’t take long to get you back on the road. It may be as simple as swapping in a new 12V, 30-45 minutes.

OK. Nice justification. I don't have good scientific understanding of how EV works like you but all I know is that I've driven Tesla for almost 7 years and KIA EV for 3 years and 12V battery issue never happened to me. Rivian needs to do the same here. Don't explain why it fails just make it so that it never happens. That's all I want.

 

[Steve A.]

OK. Nice justification. I don't have good scientific understanding of how EV works like you but all I know is that I've driven Tesla for almost 7 years and KIA EV for 3 years and 12V battery issue never happened to me. Rivian needs to do the same here. Don't explain why it fails just make it so that it never happens. That's all I want.

totally agree w/ you, but from what I understand from my Tesla fanbois, Tesla did have early issues w/ 12V batteries which is why they ended up switching to more reliable and long-lasting 14V lithium batteries.

 

[Riv E In]

UPDATE

For as much as this sucks, Rivian Service has been A+. Have called me multiple times already this morning. Got me set up with Uber vouchers and SUV rental, and have arranged an R1S loaner.

Service Center still diagnosing but have ordered parts, expected Monday, and hopefully back on the road next week.

I’ve never had an ICE vehicle die like this, but I have had AWFUL dealership experiences. So, all that to say, so far so good from a service standpoint.

Will keep y’all updated…

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

OK. Nice justification. I don't have good scientific understanding of how EV works like you but all I know is that I've driven Tesla for almost 7 years and KIA EV for 3 years and 12V battery issue never happened to me. Rivian needs to do the same here. Don't explain why it fails just make it so that it never happens. That's all I want.

It hasn't happened to many Rivian owners either. I can't help but notice the accusation that I'm making excuses for Rivian (again). Why do some people jump to this conclusion? I understand how it can be an emotionally charged subject. But we are all adults aren't we? Pointing fingers at me doesn't make the 12V more fail-proof. It's just being emotionally immature.

Fact of the matter is we don't know the exact data either way. Pointing out that it doesn't happen to everyone isn't excusing anyone. It's just a general description of reality. As much a description of reality as saying Rivian does not produce these 12V batteries in house. Just like the weatherman saying "it will rain tomorrow". You may not like it, or the weatherman himself. It's going to rain nonetheless.

Overall, all Rivian forums could use a bit more emotional maturity.

 

[sub]

OK. Nice justification. I don't have good scientific understanding of how EV works like you but all I know is that I've driven Tesla for almost 7 years and KIA EV for 3 years and 12V battery issue never happened to me. Rivian needs to do the same here. Don't explain why it fails just make it so that it never happens. That's all I want.

Have you ever had a HV failure on one of your other EV's? Tesla doesn't seem to be any better than Rivian in how long it can go without HV power to top off the 12v system.

When the high voltage battery on my Tesla failed last month, the car totally depleted the 12V battery within about 12 hours.

 

[iBang]

Have you ever had a HV failure on one of your other EV's? Tesla doesn't seem to be any better than Rivian in how long it can go without HV power to top off the 12v system.

When the high voltage battery on my Tesla failed last month, the car totally depleted the 12V battery within about 12 hours.

I don't know what HV is. For 7 years of Model S ownership only thing I did was replacing 4 tires. I didn't even know there was 12V battery until I started to read this Rivian forum.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I don't know what HV is. For 7 years of Model S ownership only thing I did was replacing 4 tires. I didn't even know there was 12V battery until I started to read this Rivian forum.

HV = High Voltage. The big main battery pack that drive the electric motors.

The 12V, basically a regular car battery, keeps parts of the computer powered, enough to power bluetooth receivers and recognize your digital keys, and enough to boot up the all computer systems to operate the vehicle from point A to B.

 

[majorfriend]

Pretty much the exact same thing happened to me last week, but mine is a launch edition R1T.

Turned out to be an contactor stuck open in the HV battery pack necessitation an HV battery replacement. They have the new pack now and are telling me it should be ready early next week.

See my thread here:
(66) Lost at least 1 rear motor (Update: Fixed, then rear ended on way home, 2nd update critical battery issue) | Page 3 | Rivian Forum - R1T R1S R2 R3 News, Specs, Models, RIVN Stock -- Rivianforums.com

 

[Riv E In]

UPDATE

For as much as this sucks, Rivian Service has been A+. Have called me multiple times already this morning. Got me set up with Uber vouchers and SUV rental, and have arranged an R1S loaner.

Service Center still diagnosing but have ordered parts, expected Monday, and hopefully back on the road next week.

I’ve never had an ICE vehicle die like this, but I have had AWFUL dealership experiences. So, all that to say, so far so good from a service standpoint.

Will keep y’all updated…

Well I just got another call. It’s the HV battery. They don’t know when they will get one in so my car is on a “parts hold” with no estimated completion timing. I have a feeling I’ll be in the loaner for a bit… No explanation was given as to what could have caused this.

 

[NauticalSpiR1T]

The same happened to me three weeks ago. Turned out the 400v battery had a bad cell and it killed my 12v. Rivian replaced both the 400v and 12v batteries under warranty. I requested and received a loaner R1S for the two weeks.

Having Rivian loaners during situations like these makes things so much more bearable. Really sucks when they put you in a shitbox as a loaner.

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