Thinking about returning R1T, need some help.

[Tanquen]

Whatever you do make sure you get any offers for an extension in writing. I was told I could get another truck no problem. They want a lifetime customer so on and so forth but as I found more problems they then told me their legal department said they didn't have to take it back. They still have it and I'm absolutely dreading having to check it over again after they've had to take it all apart and try to fix all the issues.

You can see most of my issues here with pics:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...r1t-ocean-coast-today-some-small-issues.8574/

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[ohseedee]

When you do a return can you ask for a replacement instead? With all these stories I’m worried when I take delivery, but ultimately I want the truck. In this situation my preference would be to return and quickly get a replacement for the same pre-march price.

 

[ads75]

It sucks you got one with a problem. But most of us want a vehicle, not a project. Seventy days out is absurd. Will it keep water out if it rains? I would also probably lean towards return. Maybe if you tell them you want to return it they will move up the appointment. Make sure you find anything else that may also be “off” to help make a decision.

My closest service center is also 2.5 hours each way, although their service center map shows closer “future” locations. But if I have to go to a service center that far, it would quickly sour the experience.

I like my R1T. And I plan to have it for years. But if I feel like it’s a PIA to get things fixed, or becomes a headache, it will get replaced.

 

[elektrode]

Sorry, this sucks. You need to be very firm with Rivian that you’ll have to return the truck if they can’t address it. Request a mobile evaluation. After all, if they don’t drive to Raleigh to try and fix it, they gonna drive to Raleigh to tow it back!

Send them very clear pictures. Make sure your ticket is very clear that you are considering a return and ask them to escalate. Ask any service rep you talk to for a call back from them specifically. Impress upon them that they own this ticket and you need them to follow through. (Some reps respond to this responsibility and some don’t)

Offer to drive it to Richmond for them to fix it. I know this option sucks, but another full day of pain may be worth it.

 

[COdogman]

I got my R1T this Saturday 01/07, upon inspection I noticed some panel gaps that looked pretty bad but I thought I could live with that. I Drove from Richmond SC to Raleigh, NC where I live.

The next day in the morning I noticed the driver's door is not closing properly, with the door closed, from inside I can put all my fingers between the door and body of the truck, and the rubber gaskets barely make contact. From the outside, I can see the rubber gaskets exposed and not sealing anything, how that go though their "inspection" I don't know.

I opened a ticket and the only time offered is 70 days away and I'll need to miss a day of work during over 5 hours back and forth, I'm not willing to wait 70 days to get this issue fixed and I can't sell a truck that I know has serious issues.

I know the return window is 7 days or 1000 miles which gives me until next Saturday to figure out what to do. Does anyone have any experience with returning a vehicle? I really want to keep it but the headache of driving 5 hours for any issues and waiting for God knows how many months now they are delivering more trucks is making me think that it's just not worth the trouble, maybe in another 2 or 3 years.

I'll take some pictures and post here.

That’s really unacceptable. Definitely contact your guide and see what they can do. I can think of 2 people here in the forum who had enough issues with their original R1T that it was replaced by Rivian. So they don’t seem like the type of company that is going to play hardball and try to make you keep it. Both of those owners seem happy with their new trucks.

That being said, they will probably want at least one chance to try to fix the issues with your truck before they go that route and there is little chance that will happen before next Saturday. So you will have to make a decision as to whether you trust them enough to go through that process with them.

I don’t know the law in NC, but if you decide to try to keep it i would check whether NC has lemon laws and what they require to be used.

The important part is that you immediately communicate to them all the things wrong with it and tell your guide you are considering using the return policy. Then see what their response is and only you can decide if you are comfortable with it. I bet there are additional things wrong with it if the SC missed those obvious ones before delivery. So do a very thorough check, including driving. There are some delivery checklists forum members have made that can help.

 

[flimay2k]

I'm sorry to hear all of the stories about bad trucks. My guide said "I'll see what I can do" I'm planning on taking it back this Friday, they will have 2 options, fix and get me a loaner or take the truck back.

I have another order that I may or may not keep depending on how everything goes.

I tried asking them to tow, it would be over 1k each way. That's completely crazy money to me.

I'm not going to rely on any extensions or exceptions because the company is not organized enough for that.

 

[COdogman]

I'm sorry to hear all of the stories about bad trucks. My guide said "I'll see what I can do" I'm planning on taking it back this Friday, they will have 2 options, fix and get me a loaner or take the truck back.

I have another order that I may or may not keep depending on how everything goes.

I tried asking them to tow, it would be over 1k each way. That's completely crazy money to me.

I'm not going to rely on any extensions or exceptions because the company is not organized enough for that.

It’s really important to remember that a forum is going to host more complaints than usual. Of the 15000 or so Rivians that were delivered last year, the majority of people are happy with their trucks. And most of those who have had some issues are also still happy with their Rivian. Rivian has many areas they need to improve on, but they are a new company trying to climb a big hill. I think all of us who got on this train understood that.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Are you sure you're closing the doors all the way? They take a bit more force than a lot of people are used to in order to get the full latch.

 

[mini2nut]

This is a great lesson for those who haven’t taken delivery yet.

I suggest doing what I did. Temper your excitement to take delivery and arrive early. Tell your delivery rep that you need roughly 10 minutes to look over the vehicle before the delivery process begins. Because you arrived early you won’t delay later deliveries scheduled for that day.

I did a thorough exterior paint inspection, body panel alignment, opened the doors to check for paint brush marks (not acceptable), and interior fit and finish.

The only item that stood out was some minor panel alignment on the drivers side. I took photos with my cell as well to document. I have a service appointment on the 20th to have this addressed. My rep and I completed the service ticket before the delivery process started.

I learned this lesson from Tesla forum members before I took delivery of our Model Y 2-years ago.

The 1st VIN had a paint defect on the drivers door that could only be corrected by some bodywork and respraying the door. VIN rejection #1

The 2nd VIN was actually the same VIN. Tesla hoped I wouldn’t notice the VIN matched the first one. Rejection #2.

The 3rd VIN arrived 3 weeks later and had a newer VIN number so I knew it was a factory fresh vehicle. It was 99% perfect and we accepted delivery.

 

[mabowden]

It’s really important to remember that a forum is going to host more complaints than usual. Of the 15000 or so Rivians that were delivered last year, the majority of people are happy with their trucks. And most of those who have had some issues are also still happy with their Rivian. Rivian has many areas they need to improve on, but they are a new company trying to climb a big hill. I think all of us who got on this train understood that.

Overall, I'm very happy with my truck so far.

Service, on the other hand, is a big question mark. And unfortunately, the question mark is caused directly by manufacturing.

On the ocean coast speaker grill thread I showed my main infotainment screen was delivered with a very visible defect (I saw it in the first 15 seconds sitting in the vehicle), when I scheduled service the first appointment was 50 days out. I'm guessing 50% or more of that capacity is taken by factory defects. Besides the screen issue I have one panel gap to take care of (driver's side fender).

So even though there is a vast majority that is happy, quality control seems to be a real problem right now. I'm guessing they thought I wouldn't notice? I'm just not sure how it wasn't shown to me right away as a known issue.

Anyone taking delivery right now should do so with a very close eye to detail, and take the R1 checklist to the service center with you on delivery day: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...g-rivian-r1t-delivery.6504/page-2#post-237503

 

[COdogman]

Overall, I'm very happy with my truck so far.

Service, on the other hand, is a big question mark. And unfortunately, the question mark is caused directly by manufacturing.

On the ocean coast speaker grill thread I showed my main infotainment screen was delivered with a very visible defect (I saw it in the first 15 seconds sitting in the vehicle), when I scheduled service the first appointment was 50 days out. I'm guessing 50% or more of that capacity is taken by factory defects. Besides the screen issue I have one panel gap to take care of (driver's side fender).

So even though there is a vast majority that is happy, quality control seems to be a real problem right now. I'm guessing they thought I wouldn't notice? I'm just not sure how it wasn't shown to me right away as a known issue.

Anyone taking delivery right now should do so with a very close eye to detail, and take the R1 checklist to the service center with you on delivery day: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...g-rivian-r1t-delivery.6504/page-2#post-237503

This is great advice. I plan to follow all of it when it's time for me to take delivery. I remember that screen defect that yours has and like you I wonder why that got to you without anyone caring about it? It's ridiculous to assume they didn't see it because it is right there staring at you the first time you glance at the screen. That can't happen.

I have no proof to back me up on this, but I feel like there is a local SC aspect to these errors too. There seems to be specific service centers that we hear more of these stories out of. Some might just be overwhelmed, some might just be poorly run or be understaffed. Doesn't really matter if folks like you or OP are being handed trucks with major flaws. IMHO Rivian should be catching almost all of this before it leaves the factory. Their SCs are all very busy and forcing them to deal with all these things that could have been prevented is just pushing out people's appointments for normal things.

 

[Monkey]

I'm sorry to hear all of the stories about bad trucks. My guide said "I'll see what I can do" I'm planning on taking it back this Friday, they will have 2 options, fix and get me a loaner or take the truck back.

When you take it in, make sure a service manager looks it over and gives you a clear plan on how they will fix it. Otherwise return it. Sometimes these alignment issues are more serious than they appear at first glance. But I'd make it clear, even give them a written statement from you that outlines your expectations -- as in they either fix it 100% or get you a replacement. I know that's become the typical hardline approach in Tesla circles. They were building up a huge reputation for a while there over these sorts of QC issues, and still have that reputation. But the reality is most of the cars are good. Rivian is the same way. They're ramping up production as they're learning how to build these trucks and certain QC issues slip by when they shouldn't.

 

[crashmtb]

Don’t think twice about it. If they wont extend the return window send it back and get a new one if you’re still inclined. Perhaps you could have eyeballed the vehicle a little sharper while still at the SC and skipped this hassle.

It shouldn’t be the customer’s job to do QC checks. This is why there is a PDI process for all new vehicles.

 

[goldburger]

I think saying you want to return it but prefer a new car could work.

I picked up in El Segundo on Xmas eve and the "guided" delivery was not very guided. We paired my phone and he seemed eager to leave. When I got home I opened multiple service tickets for my gear tunnel doors, passenger door, cabin wind, etc. And have added on after the appointment was already scheduled. I just added my hood panel alignment. We'll see how it goes on Monday!

 

[Inkedsphynx]

It shouldn’t be the customer’s job to do QC checks. This is why there is a PDI process for all new vehicles.

It shouldn't be ONLY the customer's job, but every customer should be reviewing anything they purchase to determine if it was delivered in the promised, and an acceptable, state. This is definitely one of those two-way street situations.

EDIT: For an issue as egregious as this, the customer should have caught it and said something during delivery. How did you get in the truck and not notice it if it's this bad? If it wasn't noticeable when you got in the truck and it developed afterwards, then everyone blaming QC and PDI is in the wrong.

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