One more Critical Battery Issue for the books

[wjhdrew]

I hate to say that I've now joined the group of folks that got a sudden Critical Battery Issue error. Yesterday we were travelling north and about 30 minutes into the trip, I had to pull over on the side of the highway, with my family, dogs, and fully packed R1S with a RTT on top to boot. Car was towed to the service center as soon as towing could get there, but unfortunately with the passenger window partway down and doors all unlocked because the car completely died.

Couldn't even grab all my stuff because the car my family picked us up with wasn't nearly as big as the Rivian. I could have maybe ride-shared over to the SC today and grabbed the rest of my stuff but was tired and simply hoping there won't be anyone around to cause me problems with my car and the few things I left in there. ?‍

Hope they can fix it asap and return the car asap.. We need a functioning car and we were supposed to go camping again in 2 weekends with friends.

Pretty bummed. Wife is now putting the brakes on getting an R1T that I've been talking about getting. TBH I'm also not sure anymore. Small sample size, but personal experience is hard to look over.

2024 R1S delivered in March just 6 months ago.

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[John G.]

I had the same problem, but am thankful that it didn’t happen while we were on our trip. Sorry to hear what you went through.

But I believe Rivian Service will get you going quickly, just like they did for me. My SC was admirable, and responded quickly to fix my truck in one day.

Last week, when I got the “RED” Critical Battery Error on my driver’s side screen, my truck was still operational, and as luck would have it , we hadn’t left on out trip yet.( I'm stunned though, as I don't understand why my batteries went out in a G1 R1T Truck 2-yrs old w/ 19,000+ miles? But that can be the topic for another thread)

The first time I called service, they said they would have some one call to set up an appointment, or if I liked, they could make a mobile service appointment to replace the batteries, but they couldn’t schedule me for another 10 days. I told them that I'd rather talk to someone in service and bring the truck in for an earlier appointment.

Lucky for me, the Service Center in Portland, Oregon which as about 20 miles away called right back and asked if I could bring the truck in right away. They said they would swap the batteries the same day, and I could pick up my truck later the same day.

But because heavy traffic expected during that afternoon, I passed and wound up instead dropping the truck off at the SC next morning, and picking it up one day later. Everything worked out as planned, and we were able to head out of town on our trip as planned.

The SC even rotated my tires as I had asked them to because the battery issue had caused me to cancel a previous tire rotation appointment at a local tire store. And they did the rotation complementary and “free” as a gesture of goodwill. That was unexpected, and I thought they were very generous.

The thing I’ve concluded about my "RED" Critical Battery Error experience is this: if it happens to you, get the batteries replaced as soon as you can. Call right away, and rely on Rivian to help you quickly. Don’t delay, because the batteries are failing.

I saw a strange error message on my driver’s screen while driving the truck over to my service appointment, I was surprised by a strange error message on my driver's screen that said the truck no longer recognized my key. When I asked the service rep if this was major problem, he said “no” and he assured me it was a good thing I had brought my truck in right away. He said that the batteries start to decline rapidly, and pop-up all kinds of error messages like this as systems begin to shut down that negatively affect the functions of the truck before the batteries totally fail.

 

[wjhdrew]

Appreciate you sharing your story. My service center here in Minnesota I assume isn't too swamped and relatively hopeful they'll take care of it well and quickly. They haven't given me any reason to expect otherwise really. I hope it's a simple as replacing the 12V battery, (assuming I only have one with my vehicle being recent).

 

[SEPA R1T]

I too just got the critical battery error this morning. Chatted with Rivian and performed hard reset. After hard reset another code popped on the dash along with the critical battery warning. Was told to plug into charger and not drive vehicle and SC will be in touch later today. Mines an R1T that’s over 2 years old (March 2022 delivery) and 36,400 miles.

 

[mudito]

Sounds like the "2yr old" mark is the critical one for R1T (at least) in terms of 12V battery lifespan

As stated in other threads, my dual-12v were replaced a few weeks ago, low mileage but I did buy my R1T used and might have sat for longer times during the 4months it was jumping lots and dealerships

Will see what happens in two more years!

 

[r1vlife]

Congrats on joining the 12V failure club. I have had 3 12V failures in my 30 months of ownership and have had 0 warnings that there is a 12V problem. My secondary 12V first failed in August 2023 which left it in turtle mode. My primary and secondary 12V failed last Monday. My truck had blank screens after I returned to it from dinner and it restarted by itself and then died as I was on a call with Rivian support. It was towed and I picked it up from the service center on Thursday. I think there's two clubs here those who's 12Vs last a long time and those who's 12Vs barely make it a year.

 

[SEPA R1T]

Man I really feel bad for those of you that have been stranded due to this issue! That would have put me over the edge. Fortunately I was home when it happened this morning and I am able to keep the truck plugged in and alive until they can come replace the 12v.

I will caveat my situation with the fact that we experienced a random power surge last night followed by a short complete power outage while my truck was plugged in charging. Not sure if the death of the 12v is coincidental or the surge and outage had something to do with it.

 

[Peteg]

I also joined the 2 year battery club. Got the warning notification in the truck and via the app on Sunday. SF service center (notoriously swamped) got me an appointment in 2 days. I was able to drive 190 miles back from Tahoe and then to the service center without any issues. Rivian service team was great, I was in and out in <60 minutes.

I just wish I could have bought an OEM battery myself and done the swap - the videos make it look simple.

 

[John G.]

I also joined the 2 year battery club. Got the warning notification in the truck and via the app on Sunday. SF service center (notoriously swamped) got me an appointment in 2 days. I was able to drive 190 miles back from Tahoe and then to the service center without any issues. Rivian service team was great, I was in and out in <60 minutes.

I just wish I could have bought an OEM battery myself and done the swap - the videos make it look simple.

Watch what you wish for. We all will be able to... when we're out of warranty.

 

[wjhdrew]

Small update: SC said they'll be replacing a heater cord related to the HVAC system that might have caused this according to the engineering team. I think I've seen posts about others having this replaced, but not sure. They'll also be replacing the drain system around that to the newer design for it, as well as the 12V Battery. I might have my car back by Thursday/Friday. Hoping to get a look at the comet passing by this weekend.

I have the feeling more and more that these Gen1 vehicle issues might have been largely influenced by the parts Rivian are using from third parties.

During the time where they were a nascent unknown company where, it sounded like they weren't able to source the most optimal parts at prices they wanted, and on top the supply issues caused by the pandemic. There could be suboptimal parts in our Gen1 vehicles, ie the cameras, they do the job but they're clearly subpar.

Despite this, the customer service has been excellent and every interaction I have with Rivian folks is pleasant.

 

[wjhdrew]

And now I got my car back. It's so good to have it back and ready for some fall camping. Hopefully I don't have anymore 12V issues. ?

 

[Gyrosntzatziki]

Hey All - I wanted to jump in here and say ive got a brand new R1S (Gen 2) with 1K miles and this just happened to me (luckily in my garage). Car wouldn't go intro drive and had to get it towed. This is my 3rd time int he shop in 3 months of ownership. Unfortunately I think I am going the lemon law route. Too many issues with these vehicle and not enough speedy solutions (the SC wont be able to look at my car for a week). I just have no more faith that something else wont come up and ill have to tow my car again and go through another 3-4 weeks without my vehicle.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Hey All - I wanted to jump in here and say ive got a brand new R1S (Gen 2) with 1K miles and this just happened to me (luckily in my garage). Car wouldn't go intro drive and had to get it towed. This is my 3rd time int he shop in 3 months of ownership. Unfortunately I think I am going the lemon law route. Too many issues with these vehicle and not enough speedy solutions (the SC wont be able to look at my car for a week). I just have no more faith that something else wont come up and ill have to tow my car again and go through another 3-4 weeks without my vehicle.

Ugh. What other issues did you have?

 

[KMeemsie]

I had the same problem, but am thankful that it didn’t happen while we were on our trip. Sorry to hear what you went through.

But I believe Rivian Service will get you going quickly, just like they did for me. My SC was admirable, and responded quickly to fix my truck in one day.

Last week, when I got the “RED” Critical Battery Error on my driver’s side screen, my truck was still operational, and as luck would have it , we hadn’t left on out trip yet.( I'm stunned though, as I don't understand why my batteries went out in a G1 R1T Truck 2-yrs old w/ 19,000+ miles? But that can be the topic for another thread)

The first time I called service, they said they would have some one call to set up an appointment, or if I liked, they could make a mobile service appointment to replace the batteries, but they couldn’t schedule me for another 10 days. I told them that I'd rather talk to someone in service and bring the truck in for an earlier appointment.

Lucky for me, the Service Center in Portland, Oregon which as about 20 miles away called right back and asked if I could bring the truck in right away. They said they would swap the batteries the same day, and I could pick up my truck later the same day.

But because heavy traffic expected during that afternoon, I passed and wound up instead dropping the truck off at the SC next morning, and picking it up one day later. Everything worked out as planned, and we were able to head out of town on our trip as planned.

The SC even rotated my tires as I had asked them to because the battery issue had caused me to cancel a previous tire rotation appointment at a local tire store. And they did the rotation complementary and “free” as a gesture of goodwill. That was unexpected, and I thought they were very generous.

The thing I’ve concluded about my "RED" Critical Battery Error experience is this: if it happens to you, get the batteries replaced as soon as you can. Call right away, and rely on Rivian to help you quickly. Don’t delay, because the batteries are failing.

I saw a strange error message on my driver’s screen while driving the truck over to my service appointment, I was surprised by a strange error message on my driver's screen that said the truck no longer recognized my key. When I asked the service rep if this was major problem, he said “no” and he assured me it was a good thing I had brought my truck in right away. He said that the batteries start to decline rapidly, and pop-up all kinds of error messages like this as systems begin to shut down that negatively affect the functions of the truck before the batteries totally fail.

Interesting that you said that about the phone key. Right after I installed the new update, my phone stopped working as a key. Then my NFC cards stopped working. After a long phone call that was escalated and many resets, etc. the phone tech said he was worried it might be "part of a deeper issue" and set up a mobile appt. I never got a single battery warning but went out to a surprise brick. I have to believe it's all connected. Wonder if something in the new update is draining the 12v battery or if it's a coincidence, but the phone/NFC/12v issue has to be related!

 

[godfodder0901]

Interesting that you said that about the phone key. Right after I installed the new update, my phone stopped working as a key. Then my NFC cards stopped working. After a long phone call that was escalated and many resets, etc. the phone tech said he was worried it might be "part of a deeper issue" and set up a mobile appt. I never got a single battery warning but went out to a surprise brick. I have to believe it's all connected. Wonder if something in the new update is draining the 12v battery or if it's a coincidence, but the phone/NFC/12v issue has to be related!

They are. Those systems are all driven by the 12v battery. When it gets weak or faulty, it can't supply enough current and/or voltage to properly activate those systems. Random issues with 12v computers (ECUs) are indicative of a faulty or failing 12v system.

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