Software Team Needs a Revamp

[SeaDawgBob]

I love my R1S but the only thing keeping me from getting another Rivian in the future is the software. There’s still way too many bugs at this stage of the vehicle’s lifespan. Not to mention the UI design and usability. I really feel like Rivian needs to make some tough staffing decisions in this department if they really want to take the next big step. Anyone else feel the same? Trying not to be a hater just trying to have an honest discussion.

Sponsored

 

[dubthedank3st]

I think it’s fine. Could you be more specific?

 

[SeaDawgBob]

Over the past few months I’ve had to do several reboots per week, it’s been for Navi issues, brightness issues, memory lag, or just flat out locking up. The UI takes several touches to get to where you want to go and we’re lacking so may features other vehicles have (text messaging, etc). If I was on version 1.0 then I get it, but we’re pretty much 5 years in now. Just feel like we should be a lot more polished than we are now.

 

[PaythePiper]

what, you don’t like your entertainment cluster fully rebooting while doing 70 down the highway?

 

[electruck]

Over the past few months I’ve had to do several reboots per week, it’s been for Navi issues, brightness issues, memory lag, or just flat out locking up. The UI takes several touches to get to where you want to go and we’re lacking so may features other vehicles have (text messaging, etc). If I was on version 1.0 then I get it, but we’re pretty much 5 years in now. Just feel like we should be a lot more polished than we are now.

Aside from the missing features, most of which I wouldn't use even if they existed, you describe a very different experience than I have in my R1S. The stability of music streams has been problematic the last 2 releases which has been annoying but I've had none of the other issues you describe.

 

[RivnSoon]

Hmmm, VAG seems to greatly disagree with you, as in over $5 bil greatly

C&D just posted an article about the new M2 CS receiving OTA updates- wow, Sid, Rivian has been doing that monthly for how long now?

 

[Ecupip]

Zero issues on my gen1. I’ve only had 1 soft reset and 1 unexpected infotainment reset in 2.5yrs and 30k miles.

 

[tate16t]

The experience between owners is so different. Could this be due to different software packages pushed depending on region, hardware, or feature set, connectivity issues that cause failed OTA installs that leave the system in an unstable state, component manufacturers (e.g., memory, sensors), quality control (e.g., minor defects or soldering issues), how the firmware interacts with individual hardware variants, environment (urban vs rural), using features others ignore entirely. What could it be?

 

[DKM_R1S]

The UI is slow…at least in Gen 1. I am looking forward to the new Halloween themes though!

 

[cwintermeyer]

Have you installed the 2025.14 update and, if so, are you still experiencing the UI bugs you mentioned?

In the 20 months I’ve had my gen1 R1S quad I haven’t experienced the nav, brightness or UI lockup problems you have, but the center display UI has been consistently laggy from day one. That is, until I installed 2025.14.01 a couple weeks ago. With the exception of the Apple Music app loading playlists and artwork, UI lag is gone for me. (FWIW I do an infotainment reset after every software update.)

 

[lefkonj]

Haven't really experienced the issues you are describing. My Gen1 had some random things for the 2 years I had it and my Gen2 has been fine, but I did get a random reboot twice while driving. Not a big deal at all.

I pretty much use Nav and Spotify, don't use much else. It feels about as stable my Audis software did for the 8 years I owned those and slightly less than my I4.

 

[COdogman]

If you “need” to reboot several times per week, you probably should schedule a service appointment. The remainder of your complaints are personal preference. I could personally care less if they offer a texting app. Honestly I hope they never add that.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

This is exaggerated. Compared to every other vehicle manufacturer besides Tesla, Rivian's software is superior in every way. Teslas have drawbacks for different reasons, and their software lacks basic features that Rivian offers. In my opinion, it's a wash. You bought a computer with wheels. Sometimes computers need to be rebooted.

Every computer I've ever owned has required a reboot at least once a week. I don't see how this is unusual or unexpected.

 

[Redline]

Zero software issues here.

As someone else said, if you're truly rebooting several times a week, maybe make an apt instead of making the claim people need to be fired?

 

[portdirect]

I’m not going to go to calling for staffing actions; but it’s clear that Rivian’s QA has systemic issues at this point. I’d gladly take a pause in new features for a couple of months of ‘code yellow’ (those who know, know) in order to improve the test suites and processes in place. From what I’ve witnessed the stack doing automotive stuff seems solid, but the infotainment system is a hot mess - pretty and intuitive, but clearly the tech debt is stacking up.

Sponsored