Our nearly new R1S is suddenly a brick

[@Andoo117]

Any updates Frank? What was the issue?

Sponsored

 

[RPG]

FWIW critical battery error is usually the main pack. Rivian will get it sorted though.

I had the "critical battery issue" message a few months ago on my six month old R1T. The screens soon went blank; there were strange noises; lights flashed; doors would not open; etc. After a few hours it was completely inert. Fortunately, it died at home. Rivian had it towed 75 miles to the service center, dragging it onto the flatbed on wheel skids. The problem was a bad 12V battery (I think they said it was cracked). They replaced it and had the truck ready for me in a couple of days. The HV battery is fine.

Funnily, just a couple of weeks later, Rivian called me to replace the battery bracket. They sent mobile service to my home and changed the bracket and also replaced the battery again.

 

[frankomd]

Any updates Frank? What was the issue?

It is currently on its way to the service center. I hope to receive an update later today.

 

[@Andoo117]

Good luck! I so far have not had anything major, but I have followed many threads and experienced issues others have had. I have found the service centers to be very cooperative to listening to forum problems and subsequent suggestions.

 

[frankomd]

I had the "critical battery issue" message a few months ago on my six month old R1T. The screens soon went blank; there were strange noises; lights flashed; doors would not open; etc. After a few hours it was completely inert. Fortunately, it died at home. Rivian had it towed 75 miles to the service center, dragging it onto the flatbed on wheel skids. The problem was a bad 12V battery (I think they said it was cracked). They replaced it and had the truck ready for me in a couple of days. The HV battery is fine.

Funnily, just a couple of weeks later, Rivian called me to replace the battery bracket. They sent mobile service to my home and changed the bracket and also replaced the battery again.

Your description is VERY consistent with what I experienced. For a little while the screens would come back on if I walked away and then opened a door again a few minutes later, but just for a few seconds. The emergency flashers would activate randomly for 20-30 seconds then turn off. The doors would lock and unlock sometimes, but not always. The audible warning consistently sounded when the screens would come on, and the on-screen battery warning always returned too. I’m hoping it just needs a new 12V battery and bracket but we’ll see. I’ve been quite happy to see so many positive comments here reflecting excellent service and outcomes from Rivian And am counting on the same. I miss my R1S so much! Driving an ICE rental vehicle reminds me why I first went electric in 2023 - OMG!

 

[frankomd]

Final resolution: The 12V battery casing was indeed cracked, as I had expected. It and the bracket were replaced and the vehicle was driven and tested for an additional day with no other problems identified. We picked up our R1S this morning and it’s operating normally over about 170 miles driven today. Our first experience with Rivian service was excellent. Good communication, no surprises. Given our experience I would definitely recommend getting your recall battery + bracket replacement service done ASAP.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Final resolution: The 12V battery casing was indeed cracked, as I had expected. It and the bracket were replaced and the vehicle was driven and tested for an additional day with no other problems identified. We picked up our R1S this morning and it’s operating normally over about 170 miles driven today. Our first experience with Rivian service was excellent. Good communication, no surprises. Given our experience I would definitely recommend getting your recall battery + bracket replay service done ASAP.

Love hearing these good experiences!

 

[frankomd]

I feel better it wasn’t something else. This was a known manufacturing error, already under recall. Rivian certainly learns from significant issues such as this one. Had it been something else “big” my confidence would have been more shaken. I love this company and want to see them thrive.

 

[CharonPDX]

It wouldn’t be anything you did more than likely. It’s under warranty, Rivian will make you whole at no cost to you.

Yeah, only two months in, unless you let it drain to 0% one month into ownership, then let it sit another month completely empty, OPs actions didn't do anything.

For contrast, my R1T is now three years old with over 30,000 miles, and I've drained it to 0% maybe half a dozen times, and charged to 100% a dozen or more times. Including DC charging it from 0-100 a few times. I just don't let it *SIT* at 100% or 0%. Recently did a full charge, and it has minimal (<5%) degradation.

Sponsored