Thoughts on long-term reliability of R1T?

[greg martin]

I realize this is not a question that is really answerable based on real long-term data, but the lease on my 2025 R1T Dual Max is up in early November.
I absolutely love my Rivian. It’s the nicest vehicle I’ve ever owned.
I’m debating buying out the vehicle at the end of the lease (approx 63k) as there would still be a good amount of warranty left. I only have about 16,000 miles on it and I’ve had it for two years.
Initially, I was going to turn it in and get an R2, but it doesn’t appear I will be able to get one in time. This was my first lease and I have come to learn I’d rather own a vehicle than lease and have even bigger concerns on the R2 since it is the first production.
My R1 T has been in the shop, probably five or six times for minor issues, the biggest issue being the replacement of the tonneau cover a few weeks back. Luckily I have a service center about 15 minutes away.
Just interested in others thoughts on the overall long-term issues that could arise if I were to purchase, as a plan would be to keep it for at least another 8 to 10 years.

Thanks!

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[McLovin]

This isn't related to long-term durability, but if you think the R2 would arrive within 3-6 months of lease end, Chase will often allow you to extend it (at your current payment) for a few months. I'm planning on doing that for my '24 R1T, if for nothing else, it was such a great deal...why not extend it?

 

[freshpow]

Air suspension is the big one but there are lots of other costly repairs that can quickly add up as well. Depending on your appetite for a surprise large repair bill, I think the general consensus is to get an extended warranty to make sure you're covered. So plan for $6-10k for every additional 3 years of warranty coverage (roughly). That's my plan anyways.

 

[EV-by-the-Sea]

Let's see -- things that have been recurring failures on our R1 pair:

1. Axles - multiple visits
2. Suspension (air and hydraulic components) - multiple visits
3. HVAC (leaking into cabin) - multiple visits

Fortunately have been under warranty, but there's no indication that any of these have well and truly been "fixed" with the replaced parts. I fully expect these items to need attention again in relatively short order.

 

[TeslaFan]

I realize this is not a question that is really answerable based on real long-term data, but the lease on my 2025 R1T Dual Max is up in early November.
I absolutely love my Rivian. It’s the nicest vehicle I’ve ever owned.
I’m debating buying out the vehicle at the end of the lease (approx 63k) as there would still be a good amount of warranty left. I only have about 16,000 miles on it and I’ve had it for two years.
Initially, I was going to turn it in and get an R2, but it doesn’t appear I will be able to get one in time. This was my first lease and I have come to learn I’d rather own a vehicle than lease and have even bigger concerns on the R2 since it is the first production.
My R1 T has been in the shop, probably five or six times for minor issues, the biggest issue being the replacement of the tonneau cover a few weeks back. Luckily I have a service center about 15 minutes away.
Just interested in others thoughts on the overall long-term issues that could arise if I were to purchase, as a plan would be to keep it for at least another 8 to 10 years.

Thanks!

I would visit one of their "spaces" to talk to someone. Because what i have heard they do favor lease holders. You might be able to jump into an R2 just fine.

 

[justinkitswa]

The truth is that these haven't been around long enough to fully understand what "long term reliability" means.

My concerns about long term ownership on "software defined" vehicles -

1) Will the OEM support the software ecosystem on these 10 years from now? How about 20 years from now? - Case in point, how many twenty year old cell phones still operate? Windows XP isn't supported anymore... Will the LTE modem in these vehicles still work in ten years?

2) Rivian is changing fast, both from a physical product and corporate structure/goals/objectives perspective. Think about the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 products - literally every module is different, the network architecture is different. If Rivian continues a track of complete redesign of the foundation of each vehicle every few years, how hard will Gen 1 parts be to get eventually?

3) Service and support has to change as quickly as the product. The knowledge base that technicians have will naturally follow the platforms they service the most. In ten years the technicians will know more about products built in that decade, not as much about "legacy" products. My example on this was taking my 1985 F250 diesel to a Ford dealer and asking for help setting the ignition timing. Their "master diesel tech" had no clue how to do it, and the tools weren't even in their system anymore.

All of these things are more or less solvable on physical hardware - but when you are looking at encrypted software locked behind incredibly strict intellectual property restrictions per the Rivian purchase contract, we're wholly dependent on Rivian forever on keeping these under support.

So it's less about long term reliability and more about long term supportability in my mind.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Expensive cars are expensive to repair; an expected reality. This is made especially true due to the R1s low production volume, that means low supply of replacement parts and high prices for said parts as well as limited options on who will provide the repair service (supply & demand). If you're not willing to accept that prospect or pay to secure an extended warranty... probably best to consider alternatives.

Most likely long term issues: 12V replacement (most likely not covered by extended warranty), dampers (about $1800 each), air springs and hydraulic lines, drive shafts, motorized charge port door, rear axle disconnect/clutch pack, tailgate latches and powered tonneau.

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