Just fix the software

[MonumentalRiv]

I've really hit my wall with the Rivian software.

I don't care about the Carplay arguments. I like Carplay and I understand why it's not a perfect fit for Rivian. This isn't about that.

There's no reason in late 2025 for a car that has been in production for a few years now to continue to have these basic software problems. This morning I get in my R1S and all of my Sirius favorites are gone - no history, no favorites, nothing.

things like this happen all the time. The car will forget my contacts. I'll have to reconnect a bluetooth device. It will log out of audio services. The maps will lock up and I can't enter a destination on the screen.

Stuff like this over and over and over and over. Why am I rebooting a car like it's Windows XP?

Fucking fix your shit Wassym or the folks at Rivian need a new software lead dev. Instead of a Gary that changes faces in the energy screen, how about audio that actually works when I start the car? Or how about stopping the random "internet connection slow" disconnections when I'm in the middle of a city with full cellular signal?

I'm not asking for new services like FSD, or super deluxe hands free driving, or any of that. I'm just asking for the most basic of shit that is supposed to work to actually work.

/rant

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[VandalSibs]

Oh wow - just fix the software! I'm sure the software development team at Rivian never thought of that...

Hate to break it to you, but software - and all computer programming in general - is only getting more complex.

If you were constantly running into bigger issues - like software issues making it so you can't drive the vehicle - I'd understand the intensity of your rant here, but in the grand scheme of things what you are describing are minor bugs.

Finally, in all software-bug related posts I like to leave this little set of lyrics behind that illustrate how complex programming can be:

There's 99 bugs in the code,
99 bugs in the code,
Take one down & patch it around,
127 bugs in the code!

 

[Rivian-E]

It’s so interesting to read takes like yours. Because I’ve had my R1S almost a year and have never had any of the problems you mention.
I’ll be the first one to admit there is still plenty of room for improvement, but for as advanced and data-heavy as the software is in a Rivian, it performs quite well.

When was the last time you did a full vehicle restart? I know it’s not a solve-all but it’s good to occasionally restart electronic and software based devices. Even a MacBook glitches from time to time.

 

[MonumentalRiv]

Oh wow - just fix the software! I'm sure the software development team at Rivian never thought of that...

Hate to break it to you, but software - and all computer programming in general - is only getting more complex.

If you were constantly running into bigger issues - like software issues making it so you can't drive the vehicle - I'd understand the intensity of your rant here, but in the grand scheme of things what you are describing are minor bugs.

Finally, in all software-bug related posts I like to leave this little set of lyrics behind that illustrate how complex programming can be:

There's 99 bugs in the code,
99 bugs in the code,
Take one down & patch it around,
127 bugs in the code!

If they're obviously aware of it then why does it persist? It shows a lack of management and focus when they're rolling out buggy new features and the legacy systems still don't work.

I get that this is a Rivian forum and saying negative things won't be well received but to say "oh I'm sure the software devs never thought of it" just excuses the fact that things aren't working.

I work in the tech field. Having a car constantly run like beta software is not something to hand wave and say "it's minor bugs" or make up glib and dismissive rhymes. In most other cars I can press a physical button and turn a dial to get music. Or I can use my phone to navigate (which is what I'm forced to do anyway). In a Rivian it's a random event if something is going to work.

If all I wanted was a car that moved forward and backward I would not have purchased a Rivian. These inconveniences aren't minor- as you put it- these problems with the software are a hinderance to the brand and the overall value proposition of Rivian vice other competition.

 

[captainjp]

Just stop complaining.

 

[MonumentalRiv]

It’s so interesting to read takes like yours. Because I’ve had my R1S almost a year and have never had any of the problems you mention.
I’ll be the first one to admit there is still plenty of room for improvement, but for as advanced and data-heavy as the software is in a Rivian, it performs quite well.

When was the last time you did a full vehicle restart? I know it’s not a solve-all but it’s good to occasionally restart electronic and software based devices. Even a MacBook glitches from time to time.

Often. I've had to do 2 soft restarts and one "hard" restart after the last software update. Sometimes the car likes to do the soft restarts on its own as an added treat.

 

[MonumentalRiv]

Just stop complaining.

Good point. That'll fix the problem. I'm sorry.

 

[PaythePiper]

I’m with ya man. Most of the fanboys that frequent this site won’t be. I get to compare Rivian software with my Tesla software so I’m biased. Rivian team are the B leaguers

 

[captainjp]

Oh wow - just fix the software! I'm sure the software development team at Rivian never thought of that...

Hate to break it to you, but software - and all computer programming in general - is only getting more complex.

If you were constantly running into bigger issues - like software issues making it so you can't drive the vehicle - I'd understand the intensity of your rant here, but in the grand scheme of things what you are describing are minor bugs.

Finally, in all software-bug related posts I like to leave this little set of lyrics behind that illustrate how complex programming can be:

There's 99 bugs in the code,
99 bugs in the code,
Take one down & patch it around,
127 bugs in the code!

I do love how everyone feels like they can “do it better” and that their ideas and suggestions should be taken as a statement from all owners

 

[captainjp]

Good point. That'll fix the problem. I'm sorry.

It will certainly fix MY problem.

 

[MonumentalRiv]

It will certainly fix MY problem.

Probably not- if this post caused you that much trouble then your problems run deeper.

 

[Chase32]

I am in agreement with OP - it’s unacceptable. Everyone needs to raise their standards.

 

[Rivian-E]

I guess I get the luxury of having been a software engineer and knowing that what you all think should be easy to fix and “just do it” stuff is never that easy.

I really do believe this is a vehicle by vehicle problem. As I mentioned, my vehicle has had nearly no glitches to speak of. There have been some slow screen load times and transitions, but otherwise, it’s well oiled and stable.

I think as somebody mentioned earlier, everyone needs to realize that you’re ultimately driving around a vehicle is a “gamma release” phase. Rivian is still incredibly new and there are things that need to (and will) improve. Comparing it to Telsa is not fair given the age differences of the platforms. I think we could all use a little more grace and understanding and just report bugs to Rivian consistently so they can prioritize and fix them.

 

[zefram47]

While I definitely don't share your level of ire (their software is still leagues better than all of legacy-auto and many of the startups), the overall bugginess has gotten worse over the years. As others have mentioned, the more complex the code, the more bugs will likely exist. Adding Gen2 and R2 probably aren't helping in this regard as a lot more hardware has been added to the mix while attempting to keep the code base as similar as possible across the lineup. But there are definitely day to day usage things that are really annoying, such as the audio not working when you first start up in the morning without changing playlists or something as there's literally no way to get it to play the same thing you were playing when you hopped out the night before. This one has persisted for a few updates and no amount of infotainment rebooting seems to fix it.

 

[COdogman]

If only they would stop working on Halloween modes, everything would be perfect

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