R1S 1200ish Miles Battery Broken

[Dr1vrguy]

Have had our Rivian for 5 weeks and have had a few issues which I have a service ticket opened. Rolling with the punches on this as its new tech and there will be issues.

However! Went to take the kids to school today in the pouring rain (SoCal sensitive to weather!) and got to the car with my phone and it would not unlock. Frustrated, took my phone out and saw the message that the 12v battery needs service!

car would not open, battery is at 42%, but I could not get charging port to open. Its parked in my driveway blocking our other car in the garage! Rivian customer service arranging a tow (tomorrow) and a rental but I am so frustrated. Their tech shows the 12v battery at 8v and concerned about getting into the car to release the brakes.

I don’t know much about battery tech but am very disappointed and frustrated. This combined with what are now minor issues on my other service ticket (rear passenger wont close unless slammed, soft spot on that same door on exterior, rear hatch does not open properly 80% of the time) and I would return the car if I could given what we paid for it.

Hoping this is an easy fix. Now worried about this happening while on one of our frequent road trips to Mammoth Lakes and being stuck!

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[mikehmb]

Sorry you experienced this. Others have had 12V batteries go bad (all cars do - my last new Jeep did the same within a couple of weeks, and my latest Tundra had one crap out after a few months). If it’s just the 12V, it’s a super easy fix according to others.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Thankfully it's the 12v low voltage battery up in the frunk area. I have seen quite a a few of them fail. Schedule service.

You may be able to jump it using these instructions. You will need a jump pack to do this.

https://rivian.com/support/article/r1-tow-operator-guide

Jump procedure starts on page 35

 

[raylepper]

I'd be jumping this right now. Also, I'd be looking at what might have led to the low voltage on the 12v battery. Anything left on? Seat belts connected? Failed to sleep?

 

[TollKeeper]

I'd be jumping this right now. Also, I'd be looking at what might have led to the low voltage on the 12v battery. Anything left on? Seat belts connected? Failed to sleep?

FOB/Cell Phone to close to truck?
Have you set the setting to ignore FOB's/whatever, when at home? (forgot what its called)
Have something heavy sitting in a seat?

 

[eskudo12791]

I'd be jumping this right now. Also, I'd be looking at what might have led to the low voltage on the 12v battery. Anything left on? Seat belts connected? Failed to sleep?

12v have some common issue, bought my R1T used at 8600 miles, wouldn't take firmware updates, come to find out was a bad 12v. Wonder if there is something causing them to cycle a lot. Saw someone post before they got a 12v with bluetooth diagnostic and had a crazy amount of discharge cycles logged quite quickly.

 

[Dr1vrguy]

12v have some common issue, bought my R1T used at 8600 miles, wouldn't take firmware updates, come to find out was a bad 12v. Wonder if there is something causing them to cycle a lot. Saw someone post before they got a 12v with bluetooth diagnostic and had a crazy amount of discharge cycles logged quite quickly.

Yeah I don't know - just seems like a brand new car shouldn't have this issue - any car, not only Rivians.

I wonder if the doors could have been opened if someone were inside the car when the battery went out?

In response to Raylepper...how would I know if something was left on? When I exit the car its not like there is a button to turn the car off. Just close the door and lock it and then it goes to sleep. How would I be able to tell is something was still on?

 

[raylepper]

I'm far from an expert. I'd check seat belts unlocked, outlets off. Gear guard off. proximity wake off, and lock with fob. Beyond that I don't have anything. BUT, I would practice/prepare for doing a 12v jump with a jump box or equivalent.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Yeah I don't know - just seems like a brand new car shouldn't have this issue - any car, not only Rivians.

It's basically a regular 12V car battery. It can happen to any car. Car battery manufacturing isn't exactly 100% defect-proof. Listen to what others are trying to tell you. Jump/charge the 12V. Otherwise, if mobile service is available in your area, Rivian Support will dispatch one and swap it out in like less than 30 min.

Lots of things can cause electrical draw while parked. If you have any of the front seatbelts buckled while parked, that will prevent your R1 from going into sleep.

 

[dordav]

I got the dreaded "12v needs service" message, but the truck still operates normally. The earliest appointment I could get is a month away. Hope the battery lasts that long.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I got the dreaded "12v needs service" message, but the truck still operates normally. The earliest appointment I could get is a month away. Hope the battery lasts that long.

Request mobile service. They might get to you sooner.

 

[Budman]

I got the dreaded "12v needs service" message, but the truck still operates normally. The earliest appointment I could get is a month away. Hope the battery lasts that long.

Or, get the new batteries and install them yourself. YouTube videos exist on how to do it.

 

[Nikhiluor]

It is really frustrating when you see these issues at critical time specially when it has something to do with kids…Hope Rivian will be able to fix your issue soon.

BTW, rear door issues seems to be common problem and I tried to get fixed but even after multiple services, I was unsuccessful…it was a waste of time so I would advice to keep it as is till Rivian comes back with solution to open windows the way Tesla does to eliminate the issue of air vacuum, which is what they have been claiming the reason behind this door issue…I am not convinced with it but it works fine when your window is open …

 

[kozak79]

Seems these new 12v batteries are having lots of issues. I’ve seen taycan owners complain about theirs as well. When they first came out, I had one in my Lexus and it failed after a few months into my lease. I was out with family and had to have it towed late in the evening in pouring rain…

 

[dordav]

I got the dreaded "12v needs service" message, but the truck still operates normally. The earliest appointment I could get is a month away. Hope the battery lasts that long.

Update: I was able to drive with the 12v warning for about 4 weeks, then mobile service came out and replaced both batteries. Turned out one was bad. Disconnecting both batteries requires the windows, seats, steering wheel, basically anything motorized to be recalibrated. But I didn't loose anything like Spotify account or garage door opener. You cannot update the software with an existing 12v error. Reseting the truck lost the pending update, so I guess I need to request it be pushed to me again.

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