Brand new R1S is DEAD

[NauticalSpiR1T]

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.

It would have easily been a week or more if you hadn't called.

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[rchartson]

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.

both my prior Teslas had this issue...fortunately mobile service was prompt....

 

[Steve A.]

both my prior Teslas had this issue...fortunately mobile service was prompt....

My Tesla fanboi colleague said that when he had his replaced by mobile service though, it only took 5-10 mins which is magnitudes faster/easier than Rivian.

 

[CrazyOne]

This sucks and it's not the experience you should be having. I'm sorry this happened to you but I'm confident Rivian will make this right.

The 12v batteries are pretty bad unfortunately. There have been a lot of reports of bricked trucks due to defective 12v batteries. The issue has lessened tremendously since the truck launched but still pops up unfortunately.

Rivian really needs to replace these 12v lead acid units with a lithium like Tesla puts in their vehicles. They have more energy density and a much longer service life

No thanks. Lithium batteries without temperature management are a fire hazard and suck at low temperatures. I considered one for my motorcycle and decided against it.

Also, this looks like a 400v battery issue. 12v dying is inevitable, Lithium or Lead Acid.

Fortnine did a video on it

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

AGM deep cycle plus a reserve is what they need to move to, if there is no better alternative. Nonetheless, it’s beside the point sine OP has stated the fault in this case is the HV pack.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

No thanks. Lithium batteries without temperature management are a fire hazard and suck at low temperatures. I considered one for my motorcycle and decided against it.

Also, this looks like a 400v battery issue. 12v dying is inevitable, Lithium or Lead Acid.

Fortnine did a video on it

Lithium batteries need to be managed. I have LifePo4 in my travel trailer. I have a $40 temp sensor that talks to my solar charge controller and tells it not to charge below freezing.

Most commercially available LifePo4 batteries have a BMS built in. As far as cold temps just use a warming plate.

It will be more costly than the lead acid batteries, but I would argue that it's probably costing rivian more to have all these vehicles towed in when the old lead acid batteries fail. It also saves space and weight.

 

[MXA121]

Sorry you are having this issue, I'm sure Rivian will take care of you quickly.
12V battery issues are all over the auto market, and not just for EVs. Seems ripe for a redesign of that concept.

 

[CrazyOne]

Lithium batteries need to be managed. I have LifePo4 in my travel trailer. I have a $40 temp sensor that talks to my solar charge controller and tells it not to charge below freezing.

Most commercially available LifePo4 batteries have a BMS built in. As far as cold temps just use a warming plate.

It will be more costly than the lead acid batteries, but I would argue that it's probably costing rivian more to have all these vehicles towed in when the old lead acid batteries fail. It also saves space and weight.

It's a moot point. With HV battery dead, any 12v battery will die. And what is the solution for when it's below freezing? Keep it warm all the time or wait 20 mins to start your car?

Severe range loss in Teslas at very cold temperatures is well documented.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

It's a moot point. With HV battery dead, any 12v battery will die. And what is the solution for when it's below freezing? Keep it warm all the time or wait 20 mins to start your car?

Severe range loss in Teslas at very cold temperatures is well documented.

Do we know 100% it's the HV battery? If we do, then your right. The same capacity in LifePo4 would be much smaller and use very little energy to keep above freezing so yes you keep it warm.

A small amount of vampire drain in extreme cold temps is worth it if it saves you from the inconvenience of being stranded right? It is to me...but I digress.

 

[CrazyOne]

Do we know 100% it's the HV battery? If we do, then your right. The same capacity in LifePo4 would be much smaller and use very little energy to keep above freezing so yes you keep it warm.

A small amount of vampire drain in extreme cold temps is worth it if it saves you from the inconvenience of being stranded right? It is to me...but I digress.

Car says so in OPs first post.

Also, how does increased capacity prevent dead 12v battery caused by bad BMS? It will still be dead, just takes longer

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Car says so in OPs first post.

Also, how does increased capacity prevent dead 12v battery caused by bad BMS? It will still be dead, just takes longer

There have been cases where the car is incorrect. A bad 12v battery can wreak havoc with the vehicle systems. Was hoping it was only the 12v but it's certainly very possible it's the HV.

Lithium 12v last longer than lead acid.... that's proven...but they do need to be managed. Lead acid is permanently damaged when fully discharged. The reason why all car makers don't use them is because of cost not because lead acid is better or more reliable.

If you still don't believe me just look at the world of RVs...many of those are lithium and many of them run in 4 seasons.

It's a better technology but it operates differently and it costs more. Cost is the only reason we don't see it a lot more. Also, lithium iron phosphate are much less susceptible to thermal runaway vs an NCM.

 

[CrazyOne]

There have been cases where the car is incorrect. A bad 12v battery can wreak havoc with the vehicle systems. Was hoping it was only the 12v but it's certainly very possible it's the HV.

Lithium 12v last longer than lead acid.... that's proven...but they do need to be managed. Lead acid is permanently damaged when fully discharged. The reason why all car makers don't use them is because of cost not because lead acid is better or more reliable.

If you still don't believe me just look at the world of RVs...many of those are lithium and many of them run in 4 seasons.

It's a better technology but it operates differently and it costs more. Cost is the only reason we don't see it a lot more. Also, lithium iron phosphate are much less susceptible to thermal runaway vs an NCM.

Ok, Rivian decoded to save $100 on Lead acid battery ?. And I guess we both agree that Lead acid is less susceptible to fires with full scale BMS (cooling and heating)

 

[SASSquatch]

This is really frustrating on a new and very expensive vehicle. It sounds like it is a 12v battery issue but maybe there was something unexpectedly causing a vampire drain of the 12v. Hopefully Rivian makes this right.

 

[azwcat]

Similar issue for me 4 weeks ago. No issues at all for 6 months of ownership, then all of a sudden Critical Battery Issue and had to get my car towed out of the parking lot. SC replaced HV battery and 12V battery. They gave zero feedback on the actual failure within the battery pack. I asked the service guy, how often these packs are getting replaced, and I'm pretty sure he lied and said he's only seen 2 in the last 2 months he's worked there. As I was leaving, a tow truck driver pulled up with an R1T and the driver walks past me and says, "if you're buying, DON'T DO IT!". Too late... lol

There are many stories of battery faults here and on Reddit. I would really like to know what percentage we are talking about here. I love my truck, but hard to have confidence in taking any sort of trip with the family.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Similar issue for me 4 weeks ago. No issues at all for 6 months of ownership, then all of a sudden Critical Battery Issue and had to get my car towed out of the parking lot. SC replaced HV battery and 12V battery. They gave zero feedback on the actual failure within the battery pack. I asked the service guy, how often these packs are getting replaced, and I'm pretty sure he lied and said he's only seen 2 in the last 2 months he's worked there. As I was leaving, a tow truck driver pulled up with an R1T and the driver walks past me and says, "if you're buying, DON'T DO IT!". Too late... lol

There are many stories of battery faults here and on Reddit. I would really like to know what percentage we are talking about here. I love my truck, but hard to have confidence in taking any sort of trip with the family.

Why would you assume he lied? Evidence? You've seen insider data? Tow truck driver may very well just be an anti-EV bigot. Without knowing actual failure rate out of total vehicles delivered today, no one can legitimately claim either way.

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