Can you Lemon a car for poor alignment?-UPDATE-They are changing the subframe to a GEN 2 with an added bonus. Update 2: Alignment is worse

[Ngkgb]

I used the Lake Forest Service center and they are amazing.

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[diranged]

How many times has it been in the service center?

Enough that I lost track? ... I love my Rivian, and I'm happy to acknoweldge that I've paid the "Early Adopter Price" by owning an early VIN. At least 8-10 times, probably more.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

You need to look at your state lemon law. Nobody will be able to answer your question generically.

This is the correct answer. An example though.

here in Maryland a manufacturer only gets one attempt to fix a steering or braking related issue. All others require at least three attempts. I would still attempt more than once though.

A lot of the alignment complains I see are mainly due to techs …there have been several folks here who have gone to experienced independent alignment shops and had great results. Here is what I would do:

Call around to shops that work on higher end vehicles and see if any of them have done Rivian alignments. If you take it to a 3rd party get a before/after printout from the alignment machine. If they fix the problem you can always ask Rivian to reimburse you for the cost.

If there is a deeper issue with the vehicle preventing a successful alignment you will have additional evidence to use in obtaining an acceptable resolution from Rivian.

unfortunately alignments in these seem to take more time I’m guessing due to the kinetic ride controls and adjustable suspension.

TLDR truck is probably fine it’s just the service center is not able to get it right.

 

[Ngkgb]

This is the correct answer. An example though.

here in Maryland a manufacturer only gets one attempt to fix a steering or braking related issue. All others require at least three attempts. I would still attempt more than once though.

A lot of the alignment complains I see are mainly due to techs …there have been several folks here who have gone to experienced independent alignment shops and had great results. Here is what I would do:

Call around to shops that work on higher end vehicles and see if any of them have done Rivian alignments. If you take it to a 3rd party get a before/after printout from the alignment machine. If they fix the problem you can always ask Rivian to reimburse you for the cost.

If there is a deeper issue with the vehicle preventing a successful alignment you will have additional evidence to use in obtaining an acceptable resolution from Rivian.

unfortunately alignments in these seem to take more time I’m guessing due to the kinetic ride controls and adjustable suspension.

TLDR truck is probably fine it’s just the service center is not able to get it right.

After the Costs Mesa service center basically did nothing for almost two years, the Lake Forest service center will be replacing the subframe so hopefully that will solve it.

 

[MrSandman]

I have my Rivian R1T gen 1 (received March '22) for this exact issue. Had an alignment issue early on that they were able to fix. Recently I swapped my Scorpion AT tires to BFGoodrich KO3's and took it in for another alignment. Picked it up, and it was terrible. Pulling hard to the right. Took it back in, and they just called me (today) they are replacing the subframe with the newer ones.

Hoping that fixes a few things! But they have taken care of me well every time. Except never given me a Rivian loaner (driving a Tesla 3 as a rental lol). But they've done well by me.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I was told by a Rivian tech...off the record...that some of the problems with alignment have to do with variation in the mounting of the sub frames. I don't know if its true. There is a video on YouTube about Rivian alignments...in the video the presenter shows how the alignment changes with ride height...then even after switching back the alignment does not go back to original specs.

 

[Ngkgb]

I was told by a Rivian tech...off the record...that some of the problems with alignment have to do with variation in the mounting of the sub frames. I don't know if its true. There is a video on YouTube about Rivian alignments...in the video the presenter shows how the alignment changes with ride height...then even after switching back the alignment does not go back to original specs.

Maybe that’s why they are replacing a bunch of them

 

[Ngkgb]

Picked up the truck yesterday and alignment is worse than ever. Immediately pulls right when letting go of steering wheel. Had to take it back same day. No clue where to go from here. Anybody have an idea of what else I can have them check? Beyond frustrating. Two rentals driven on same road have no alignment issues.

 

[captainjp]

Picked up the truck yesterday and alignment is worse than ever. Immediately pulls right when letting go of steering wheel. Had to take it back same day. No clue where to go from here. Anybody have an idea of what else I can have them check? Beyond frustrating. Two rentals driven on same road have no alignment issues.

Any chance that this is a motor issue? Does it pull to the right if you coast with regen on lowest setting?

 

[Ngkgb]

Any chance that this is a motor issue? Does it pull to the right if you coast with regen on lowest setting?

That’s a good thought. I’ll pass it on to the service center. Thank you

 

[Proxy]

We have an R1T with the welded front subframe and a gen 1 R1S with the updated subframe. The R1S was delivered steering perfectly straight. The R1T pulled to the right. I used my alignment setup and the toe was set to factory specs on the R1T. So I turned both toe links the same amount to line up the direction the wheels were pointing to the centered steering wheel. I have two pieces of angle aluminum, two tape measures and some wood to check the toe. I had to drive it every time I made the adjustments. It took me four tries to get it lined up so it took some time.

 

[joesmith315]

We have an R1T with the welded front subframe and a gen 1 R1S with the updated subframe. The R1S was delivered steering perfectly straight. The R1T pulled to the right. I used my alignment setup and the toe was set to factory specs on the R1T. So I turned both toe links the same amount to line up the direction the wheels were pointing to the centered steering wheel. I have two pieces of angle aluminum, two tape measures and some wood to check the toe. I had to drive it every time I made the adjustments. It took me four tries to get it lined up so it took some time.

The SC's first attempt at alignment didn't resolve the issue and I went to a different SC the second time around. They ended up having to replace two tires to get the alignment to take.

 

[NY_Rob]

Picked up the truck yesterday and alignment is worse than ever. Immediately pulls right when letting go of steering wheel. Had to take it back same day.

Doesn't anyone at the SC take the vehicle for a actual hands on test drive after replacing a major component like the whole front subframe and doing an alignment? Complete lack of quality control at the SC level. I've said it before, and incidents like this confirm they don't have real mechanics working at the SC's ... they have parts hangers. A real mechanic would have 100% taken the vehicle for a hands on test ride after replacing the front subframe and performing an alignment.

 

[Ngkgb]

Finally fixed. I noticed this AM thet battery percentage went from 72-65 so someone obviously took their time to drive it. The tech I rode with said the steering wheel wasn’t properly aligned but I also found the alignment sheet in my dash with before and after specs. It’s tracking better than ever. I dont know why it took 8-9 tries but alls well…

 

[NY_Rob]

Finally fixed. I noticed this AM the battery percentage went from 72-65 so someone obviously took their time to drive it..

Gee, what a concept "drive the car after it's repaired"!! Shouldn't that be done after any repair regarding suspension and or alignment issues? Just because something's not written in the Service Manual, doesn't mean it's not something that might be helpful. Fix the car.. drive the car, simple. It's something that's worked for the last 100 years or so.

What's next... "roll up the windows when it's raining?" Nothing gets past these SC people..

@Ngkgb ... don't ever hit a pothole, ever!!

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