[RESOLVED] My R1T is leaking brake fluid

[plasmdude]

Don't get me wrong. I love the truck! But they are having some growing pains.

Took delivery of a launch edition green on Saturday in the Bay Area. Similar story to others, day of price hike got a call that the truck is ready.

Their website really wants you to finance and insurance through them. Both were high. The financing though Chase was going to be 3.6% for 72 months. Got that down to 3.1% from a credit union, First Tech out of Portland. Then their insurance through Nationwide was going to be $350 a month. Got that down to $85 additional with my State farm with multiple cars and umbrella coverage.

Delivery was mostly smooth. Some issues with having to resign the purchase agreement a second time due to backend issues. Also needed to resign the DMV title papers.

Watch out for the updates! Had my laptop in the gear tunnel after lunch. Then hit the update button. All doors and locks then died for 30-40 minutes for the update to complete. Would have liked it too warn about update duration or schedule it to run at 3am. Let's just say I was a bit late getting back from lunch.

The update did add a super cool composite overhead view. Makes it crazy simple to park in the lines! Added a screen shot from that.

Then got email about my accessories are on the way! Sweet. But to my old house that I have not lived in since before covid. It's strange because my address was updated and truck delivered correctly. Contacted my guide and they put though a request to change the delivery address. Fingers crossed.

I park in a driveway with a good slope. Noticed a puddle after a drive to dinner and thought it was condensation. But today after got home from work there was lots of marks down my driveway. Upon inspection it was oil of some sort. Mostly seemed to be coming from around under the driver. Guessing that it's brake fluid or some oil from the half axels? Either way, get to test the Rivian service center sooner than expected. Will not dive until they service.

When it was delivered, the guides said if the mobile tech can not resolve then a flat bed truck will swap you a loaner truck. Then they will haul the truck to a service center. The mobile app has a section for reporting service needs.

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[Cavalryscout18]

Nice truck. A bummer you’re having issues but I’m sure they will go above and beyond to get it right since it’s such an early delivery; they want good word of mouth. Tesla had a similar curve when they first started selling their S. Servicing was mostly smooth and accommodating. But now, good luck getting your cars serviced in the next 3 months.

 

[GTodd]

Brings up an interesting question...where do you check Brake fluid, power steering fluid, or any other hydraulic system? I remember in the manual only the windshield wiper fluid where you can add.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Brings up an interesting question...where do you check Brake fluid, power steering fluid, or any other hydraulic system? I remember in the manual only the windshield wiper fluid where you can add.

The Out of Spec review video showed that the panel in front of the windshield wipers can be pulled. The brake fluid reservoir was there along with the fireman‘s loop, and air filter (for HVAC I think), and the two 12 volt batteries.

 

[COdogman]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like you’ll be one of the first to experience Rivian service. Hopefully it’s easy and fast.

 

[Forager]

What color was the oil? A pale yellow or straw yellow is brake fluid. A brake fluid leak on a new car would be very concerning. Given the two wrecks we know about were R1Ts that failed to slow and make a turn, one has to wonder.

A leak from a half-shaft or a transmission (despite only being one gear, there is still effectively a transmission at each corner) wouldn’t be a safety issue, though no less surprising.

I have yet to watch the Out of Spec video (an hour long)! But I did ask Kyleif he could remove the frunk and show us the mechanicals underneath, I’m excited that it sounds like that possibly happened!

 

[NY_Rob]

I have yet to watch the Out of Spec video (an hour long)! But I did ask Kyleif he could remove the frunk and show us the mechanicals underneath, I’m excited that it sounds like that possibly happened!

Yes, he did pull fascia piece in the (37:15 mark) video in an attempt to show the two primary batts. Unfortunately, the camera never really stopped for long at any one spot so it was kind of hard to identify components in that area between the firewall and frunk.

Someone here had mentioned that he was told by a Rivian employee that the batts (two red objects directly under the air intake duct) are actually 6vdc each wired in series to produce 12vdc. He was told the reason for that configuration was that Rivian could not find a single 12vdc battery with the electrical specs they needed to fit in that spot under the duct? Is that the case??? Until some owner breaks out their voltmeter we won't know.

 

[Speedrye]

I'm voting on a hydraulic roll-control leak, though that's a completely uninformed WAG.

 

[plasmdude]

What color was the oil? A pale yellow or straw yellow is brake fluid. A brake fluid leak on a new car would be very concerning. Given the two wrecks we know about were R1Ts that failed to slow and make a turn, one has to wonder.

A leak from a half-shaft or a transmission (despite only being one gear, there is still effectively a transmission at each corner) wouldn’t be a safety issue, though no less surprising.

I have yet to watch the Out of Spec video (an hour long)! But I did ask Kyleif he could remove the frunk and show us the mechanicals underneath, I’m excited that it sounds like that possibly happened!

It was a bit hard to say. My driveway is brown. When I touched it it could have been brown or yellow.

Interesting, will need to check out the video. I did notice the panels under the front trunk are attached by magnets.

 

[protamine]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like you’ll be one of the first to experience Rivian service. Hopefully it’s easy and fast.

Shouldnt be much of a line.

Their website really wants you to finance and insurance through them. Both were high. The financing though Chase was going to be 3.6% for 72 months. Got that down to 3.1% from a credit union, First Tech out of Portland. Then their insurance through Nationwide was going to be $350 a month. Got that down to $85 additional with my State farm with multiple cars and umbrella coverage.


Not huge differences - .5% on 75k over 6 years is $17 a month, and of course single insurance will be more than multiple lines, good info though.

Watch out for the updates! Had my laptop in the gear tunnel after lunch. Then hit the update button. All doors and locks then died for 30-40 minutes for the update to complete. Would have liked it too warn about update duration or schedule it to run at 3am. Let's just say I was a bit late getting back from lunch.

Definitely let CS know..was there a warning saying 'vehicle not usable for xxx?

The update did add a super cool composite overhead view. Makes it crazy simple to park in the lines! Added a screen shot from that.

Very good. Almost laughable that it wasn't on there at the start

Then got email about my accessories are on the way! Sweet. But to my old house that I have not lived in since before covid. It's strange because my address was updated and truck delivered correctly. Contacted my guide and they put though a request to change the delivery address. Fingers crossed.

hopefully a doubly isolated problem - more accessories should be available, with not everyone moving between (though I am..)

I park in a driveway with a good slope. Noticed a puddle after a drive to dinner and thought it was condensation. But today after got home from work there was lots of marks down my driveway. Upon inspection it was oil of some sort. Mostly seemed to be coming from around under the driver. Guessing that it's brake fluid or some oil from the half axels? Either way, get to test the Rivian service center sooner than expected. Will not dive until they service.

When it was delivered, the guides said if the mobile tech can not resolve then a flat bed truck will swap you a loaner truck. Then they will haul the truck to a service center. The mobile app has a section for reporting service needs.


This is the most interesting thing. You're a thorough documenter, so once its done will you post an experience post (and not buzzfeed - mY NeW 80k RiViAN bR00ke you wont believe)

Obviously the problem is interesting but the response will be as well.

 

[godfodder0901]

It was a bit hard to say. My driveway is brown. When I touched it it could have been brown or yellow.

Interesting, will need to check out the video. I did notice the panels under the front trunk are attached by magnets.

As brake fluid absorbs water, it turns brown. Normally this takes a long time to absorb that much water in a closed system, but I imagine this process could be very quick on damp pavement. I hope service gets you sorted out quickly!!

 

[Trandall]

@plasmdude, I'm intrigued by the leak please keep us posted on both the process of mobile service and the findings of the condition. Also there is a thread somewhere with a link to NHTSA where you should be able to submit safety related issues with the Rivian. Congrats on your very early delivery, even with your issues I'm jealous.

 

[plasmdude]

Here is a view from under the truck. Definitely can see some oil. Overnight, it was parked mostly flat and no spots on the street. Probably some gasket not seated when on incline.

 

[NY_Rob]

... or possibly they overfilled the brake fluid reservoir?

Easy enough to remove the fascia to give it a quick look. It may save you a service appointment...

 

[Davethadog]

... or possibly they overfilled the brake fluid reservoir?

Easy enough to remove the fascia to give it a quick look. It may save you a service appointment...

Hell nah. Brake fluid can be seriously corrosive. Make them clean it up and find the root cause.

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