Should I Return my R1S

[COdogman]

I know the car I’m buying. It was a simple misspell ??

I understand that Rivian is new and I’m fine with most of this being a simple visit to the service dept, but it’s been one thing after the next. I haven’t had a day where I haven’t had to put in a service ticket. It’s just a bummer and I’m curious long term how the car has been holding up for others?

Biggest concern is the AC vibrating the petals. It’s distracting while driving and that is a huge issue for me.

I have found that if I remember to pre-condition the cabin via the app like 5-10 minutes before I get in, the AC has already calmed down and doesn't make that weird sound. If I don't do that and hop in on a hot day mine will do it for the first couple miles. Others seem to have it worse. Either way I am confident Rivian will figure it out.

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[Donald Stanfield]

I understand that Rivian is new and I’m fine with most of this being a simple visit to the service dept, but it’s been one thing after the next. I haven’t had a day where I haven’t had to put in a service ticket. It’s just a bummer and I’m curious long term how the car has been holding up for others?

Biggest concern is the AC vibrating the petals. It’s distracting while driving and that is a huge issue for me. Maybe you can deal with it.

Yeah I can deal with it. It goes away after the truck is cooled down a bit and honestly it isn't that big of a deal. Compared to an ICE vehicle the noise is still significantly less and the volume I'm usually listening to music at makes it a non issue anyways. I guess we all have different tolerances for annoyances and for me all of this stuff is very minor. I can't tell you how to feel about yours, only that it simply doesn't bother me.

 

[Prime]

Need a little advice… Received my Rivian RS1 last week, but have had multiple issues since receiving it. I’m still within the return window and am strongly considering returning it (though it pains me!). Want to know how other RS1’s have held up for those that have had it longer, as my concern is that this will continue to happen or get worse. For a car that cost $100k it’s alarming that I’m having so many issues at the start AND they are saying their earliest appointment is DECEMBER 14th, which is insane to me.

Here are my problems so far:

- Main issue: Car is loud when AC runs and makes the petals vibrate. I have another electric car and understand that the AC can be loud in electric vehicles, however, this is so loud it causes the hood and my pedals to vibrate while driving.

- Rear seat handle for reclining the seat came off first try. Was not screwed in or is missing a screw. Poor assembly.

- Rear window lining is off. Seems like poor assembly.

- Rear headrest is broken. Tried to adjust it and the bottom base where it connects came off showing the inside or the seat cushion.

- Bluetooth needs to reconnect via my phone settings every time I get in the car. Is this normal? I feel like it should automatically connect.

- The latest this morning is that the front window wiper fluid won’t spray. The back spray does work, so I know it has fluid, but the front does not.


TBH it pains me to write all of this, because I was very excited about the car, but with so many problems, after only four days, makes me very concerned about how the car will hold up in the long run. Any advice and thoughts would be helpful. Thank you!

From my own experience and being on this forum for the past 2 years, it really seems like a hit or miss on who gets a near perfect built R1 and who gets one with many QC issues. Its luck of the draw, I am going to have to believe theres more good than bad, but I was also one of the unlucky who got a vehicle with a lot of issues, still trying t to get them all fixed, on my third service request.

 

[TexasBob]

My 2 cents is this: No, you should not return the vehicle. It is only downside. Drop it at the SC and get them to fix your list of issues (I have an appointment for my growing list of issues on my 2 week old R1S though none as annoying as the ones you described here). If you are still unhappy with the vehicle a month from now after all the issues have been addressed, sell it on the secondary market. You should still come out ahead. But chances are they will fix the initial problems and it will be great after that. No downside to waiting.

 

[Lrak1973]

Need a little advice… Received my Rivian RS1 last week, but have had multiple issues since receiving it. I’m still within the return window and am strongly considering returning it (though it pains me!). Want to know how other RS1’s have held up for those that have had it longer, as my concern is that this will continue to happen or get worse. For a car that cost $100k it’s alarming that I’m having so many issues at the start AND they are saying their earliest appointment is DECEMBER 14th, which is insane to me.

Here are my problems so far:

- Main issue: Car is loud when AC runs and makes the petals vibrate. I have another electric car and understand that the AC can be loud in electric vehicles, however, this is so loud it causes the hood and my pedals to vibrate while driving.

- Rear seat handle for reclining the seat came off first try. Was not screwed in or is missing a screw. Poor assembly.

- Rear window lining is off. Seems like poor assembly.

- Rear headrest is broken. Tried to adjust it and the bottom base where it connects came off showing the inside or the seat cushion.

- Bluetooth needs to reconnect via my phone settings every time I get in the car. Is this normal? I feel like it should automatically connect.

- The latest this morning is that the front window wiper fluid won’t spray. The back spray does work, so I know it has fluid, but the front does not.


TBH it pains me to write all of this, because I was very excited about the car, but with so many problems, after only four days, makes me very concerned about how the car will hold up in the long run. Any advice and thoughts would be helpful. Thank you!

I received my R1S in mid-June, worried that any one of these problems would come up, and prepared to be disappointed. I was really worried about the AC noise, as I had understood that most R1S were having problems, and that the vibration in the pedal was alarming. I have been pleasantly surprised (knock on wood) that none of these have occurred. Even my panel alignment has been fantastic. Rivian knows how to put these things together, but it seems that some of them are slipping through without the same amount of quality control. Did you get it through the shop or is this part of your original pre-order? If you are not going to lose pre-March 2021 pricing, perhaps a return or exchange?

 

[kizamybute']

We're all considered "early adopters" of something new. With that, comes some growing pains that the customer will have to suffer along with the company itself. But, we do also get a vehicle that is unlike any other and will continue to be unique for years to come. Anyone purchasing a Rivian should be prepared for at least, some issues. That doesn't mean everyone will have them. I had one major issue with truck bricking and they fixed it and had it back to me in 4-5 days. They move quickly on serious issues like that. The little stuff gets less priority, naturally so. Aside from that one major issue, my truck has been trouble free since (knock on wood).

There's something to be said that, by returning the vehicle, we're teaching Rivian a lesson that they need to do better as there no stronger message to be sent than to give the vehicle back entirely. But, they already know they need to improve, so not sure how much of a message it really sends. They're going to improve with time either way.

As others noted, your issues appear minor and they will get fixed. For $100k, understandable that you want a vehicle without these issues, but again, several will have some type of issues when purchasing from a very young company. Ask Elon how difficult vehicle production is. Tesla's have had major issues along the way as well. But, 12 years later, they're still going strong.

You have to decide for yourself if it's worth the hassle of returning it and deal with the wait of getting another one. If you want another one? But, then you're giving up on the future and taking a step backwards. Or accept that they are relatively minor issues and understand all of the above and enjoy what is otherwise a great vehicle.

Based on what you described, personally, I'd probably keep it. If they were more serious issues, would consider returning.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

 

[carsly]

Do whatever makes you happy, it's your money and your car.

I picked up a Tesla Model S Plaid with a nail in the driver's side rear tire on delivery. Oh, and the windshield washer hose was disconnected from the pump so when I filled the reservoir at home it just dumped all over my garage. And for a car that Tesla has been building for 10+ years the trim still doesn't fit right in a number of places. The tire and windshield washer hose were repaired in a week in one visit - annoying, but it happens. The trim is still misaligned in a couple of places, but honestly I could care less. It's a car, not a museum piece and it launches like nothing I've ever driven without even a chirp of the tires, the traction control is amazing at managing that 1,000+ lb ft of torque.

You could spend $200+K on a Range Rover and have more issues or spend $30K on a Honda or Toyota and have no issues. Higher prices don't mean fewer problems, if anything due to lower build quantities you may end up with more issues than you'll have with a mega-mass-produced Camry.

Heck, the local Volvo dealer told me the average service ticket is $3,500+. For a Volvo. While I was trying to buy a vehicle. What?!

 

[Kgautam28]

Return the vehicle.
Cannot continue to make excuses for Rivian. Deliver properly finished vehicles to everyone.

Return or ask for a replacement at same price.

 

[Zoidz]

Biggest concern is the AC vibrating the petals. It’s distracting while driving and that is a huge issue for me. Maybe you can deal with it.

Everybody has a particular level of tolerance for these types of issues, all of which fit in my "minor" category, including the ongoing AC noise/vibration. The noise is "fleeting" in my use case and climate. It's loud for only a minute or two, it does not bother me. I've always had a full size truck or SUV with AT tires, etc. so I've never been sensitive to vehicle noise, lack of cushy ride, etc.

IMO Rivian might be able to reduce the noise and vibration some, but it's highly unlikely to ever "go away" or get "fixed" ....... because it isn't broken. It just does not meet some peoples' expectations.

 

[Rinzler017]

Return. It’s not a cheap vehicle

 

[CrazyOne]

I know the car I’m buying. It was a simple misspell ??

I understand that Rivian is new and I’m fine with most of this being a simple visit to the service dept, but it’s been one thing after the next. I haven’t had a day where I haven’t had to put in a service ticket. It’s just a bummer and I’m curious long term how the car has been holding up for others?

Biggest concern is the AC vibrating the petals. It’s distracting while driving and that is a huge issue for me.

It's unlikely that you will get a satisfactory fix for AC issues. Others are probably fixable. You can decide if that's worth returning.

I have no complaints with AC sound. I guess others have a different system or are more sensitive to the issues. I have a lot to say about the AC software, but I will leave for another day.

 

[defcon888]

The AC is a known issue....supposedly they are working on something in the software to help that.

I have heard these stories more on the R1S (aka RS1...LOL), than on the R1T. If the SUV drives and nothing is flashing or leaving you stranded, I would put a ticket in and wait a month or so to have those issues fixed.....those are more of a "form and fit" issue than a mechanical issue....maybe the AC is a little more than a FIT issue.

 

[mkg3]

Did you have issues with yours? Wanting to know how it holds up long term?

I do have small issues with my R1S. It was built in June 23, and I've owned it for just over a month and about 1000 miles. Cannot say how it will hold up over time/milage.

Currently, I am dealing with Rivian SC for:
- passenger seat sensor does not register my wife most of the time w/seat belt fastened (mobile service was unsuccessful to solve and they don't have an answer at the moment)

- Liftgate does not open the first time - they say it needs to be realigned even though exterior fits fine.

- Hood pops open too loudly with too much force - again, they tell me the whole hood needs to be realigned.

- Couple of weatherstrip moldings need to be replace due to poor installation

- Excessive wind noise above 70mph.

My appointment is after Thanksgiving.

I am not the type that looks for perfect fit/finish, or nit-pick at the small things. I do expect things to work right. Not sure what to do about the seat issue. I suppose I can tell my wife to gain 10~15 lbs but if I do, I may have other issues

 

[Birdowin]

After 14 months and 1500 miles I have not experienced any of these problems except with the air compressor controls which they are going to send someone out to fix in two weeks. I am very satisfied with my R1t.

 

[Birdowin]

Oops That is 15,000 miles and no problems.

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