Missing Underbody Panels at Delivery (non-off road config)...and other misc inspection items - (Happy Ending)

[superdavePA]

R1S VIN 22XX, Picked up at Brooklyn SC in Dec 2022. On-road (not the off-road package).

Apparently, a number of underbody panels are missing (front & rear) at delivery. Even though it's not the off-road package there still are a number of panels underneath to keep the elements off the undercarriage and electrical connectors, etc. I remember it was a cold and rainy pickup day...I didn't do an underbody inspection (just a quick look) on pickup day. Be sure to check yours! See pics below. (2 of the front, 2 of rear area)

I have a ticket in and got a call back the same day from Rivian (and confirmed from my pics panels are missing). They are checking on parts and will figure a plan to correct. Might need to do a drive into the Brooklyn to correct (I currently have 4 tickets in...upper tailgate alignment, brake pedal dent, oil leak, and missing panels).

Back story:
Got my PA plates about a week ago (fairly quick turnaround for Rivian!) and had it in today for the required PA state safety inspection. While up on the lift the inspection tech ask if I wanted to take a look to see an oil leak at the front drive unit (he was chuckling since it was an electric vehicle). It was a minor leak (a separate ticket I placed) but concerning. I recall one of the other forum members having a larger leak but it was masked by the shield. When I did a broader look I noticed a number of empty fastener positions in the front and rear where i would expect splash / plastic panels...and no indication anything was ever installed.

On a separate note, the auto shop couldn't verify the license plate lights worked (w/ lights on) until it was selected in DRIVE. (future mental note!)

Hats off to the jack pucks from @Mark_AZR1T at https://jackpucks.com/ ...made the lift safe and easy. (tech's only FB was that he would like the magnets a little bit stronger)

PS - I've been very happy with the vehicle and its overall fit, finish, and performance....I'm chalking this up as earlier adopter, end of quarter woes...just hope this helps others.

(update Jan 12th - Service visit scheduled for Feb 20th. I will travel to SC.)
(update Jan 13th - Rivian Service called and wants to pick it up Jan 16th...even though drivable there are some concerns that waiting to Feb 20 may put it in bad weather and expose the underbody, cables, etc. to unnecessary wear if I drove it out to SC. Plus, though it's a small oil leak, they don't know the status of the oil level in the front drive. Since I was just gonna park it until then I'm cool with that. They also added Rivian wants to fix the issues and make it whole and available for me to drive ASAP. That's cool, come get it...saves me a trip. I turned down any need for a loaner / Uber credits. I have an extra vehicle)
(Update Jan 16th - Flatbed from Brooklyn SC arrived to pick-up the R1S. Good work, but sad to see it go.)
(Update Jan 18th - Rivian called; had to order the panels but no leak from drive unit. Appears it was overspill during install and eventually dripped down. All seals, connections, and hoses are fine. Pressure test SAT. Rivian had some confusion on the other items to work ...I told them best to get it all done while it was at the SC)
(Update Jan 21st - Rivian authorized a courtesy delivery back to me...arrived before lunch. All the panels installed nicely, tailgate aligned, and no other issues. Good work!!)
** Overall pleased with service and timing. Some quirks in contacting, coordinating what's to be done...but they made it right in the end. **

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[harkco]

Yeah... that's a pretty big miss on Rivian's inspection team. Makes you wonder if they even have a checklist they go by. Mine was missing bolts upon delivery, but at least all the panels were there.

Funny... I was even going to start a post today wondering if state inspections were offered at Rivian service centers (mine is due in March). Thinking that through, maybe I should have it done somewhere else.

 

[dleepnw]

bruh... seriously?1?

they obviously didnt check underneath otherwise you can't miss that. many folks have shared how bolts were missing or loose underneath. some people have lost their panels while driving, most likely due to loose or missing bolts.

Rivian is still not aware of this issue? either way, thats pretty concerning quality control both at the factory and at the service centers.


if theres any silver lining in this, at least the service center didnt say they are now built without any panels covering those areas.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I didn't do an underbody inspection

Wait what?

We're supposed to crawl on our back to pickup a vehicle these days?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Wait what?

We're supposed to crawl on our back to pickup a vehicle these days?

Always have been

 

[SoCalTravels]

Wait what?

We're supposed to crawl on our back to pickup a vehicle these days?

yes. I crawled under the R1S at pickup as well as stood on the inside of the door and inspected the roof.

 

[rkalbiar]

This is disappointing.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

Not cool.

 

[IPTV65]

I was under mine this evening checking bolts. Thank Gid it looks like they did it right.
I have the RUS but I don’t see anything that looks like next level armor. What does reinforced underbody shield look like vs the standard one?

 

[astonius]

I was under mine this evening checking bolts. Thank Gid it looks like they did it right.
I have the RUS but I don’t see anything that looks like next level armor. What does reinforced underbody shield look like vs the standard one?

Non-RUS looks like a bunch of plastic panels (because they are). With RUS you’ll see carbon fiber weave over the panels covering the motors and a slab of metal sandwiching carbon fiber on the belly of the battery pack.

 

[IPTV65]

Non-RUS looks like a bunch of plastic panels (because they are). With RUS you’ll see carbon fiber weave over the panels covering the motors and a slab of metal sandwiching carbon fiber on the belly of the battery pack.

I see the carbon fiber front and rear. The part over the battery just looks like metal so I guess I’m good. Appreciate the info!

 

[R1Tom]

I can't comprehend how this known issue has been going on and Rivian does not care to correct it on the assemble line. Mind blowing....

 

[Rousie13]

I had the same exact issue on my truck (delivered in July 2022) and I had no idea. I took it to the service center for PDR, an inner driveshaft seal leak plus some other items and they quickly noticed the issue about the missing panels. They replaced everything that was missing. There were 2 or 3 panels missing.

 

[Olsonsolar]

R1S VIN 22XX, Picked up at Brooklyn SC in Dec 2022. On-road (not the off-road package).

Apparently, a number of underbody panels are missing (front & rear) at delivery. Even though it's not the off-road package there still are a number of panels underneath to keep the elements off the undercarriage and electrical connectors, etc. I remember it was a cold and rainy pickup day...I didn't do an underbody inspection (just a quick look) on pickup day. Be sure to check yours! See pics below. (2 of the front, 2 of rear area)

I have a ticket in and got a call back the same day from Rivian (and confirmed from my pics panels are missing). They are checking on parts and will figure a plan to correct. Might need to do a drive into the Brooklyn to correct (I currently have 4 tickets in...upper tailgate alignment, brake pedal dent, oil leak, and missing panels).

Back story:
Got my PA plates about a week ago (fairly quick turnaround for Rivian!) and had it in today for the required PA state safety inspection. While up on the lift the inspection tech ask if I wanted to take a look to see an oil leak at the front drive unit (he was chuckling since it was an electric vehicle). It was a minor leak (a separate ticket I placed) but concerning. I recall one of the other forum members having a larger leak but it was masked by the shield. When I did a broader look I noticed a number of empty fastener positions in the front and rear where i would expect splash / plastic panels...and no indication anything was ever installed.

On a separate note, the auto shop couldn't verify the license plate lights worked (w/ lights on) until it was selected in DRIVE. (future mental note!)

Hats off to the jack pucks from @Mark_AZR1T at https://jackpucks.com/ ...made the lift safe and easy. (tech's only FB was that he would like the magnets a little bit stronger)

PS - I've been very happy with the vehicle and its overall fit, finish, and performance....I'm chalking this up as earlier adopter, end of quarter woes...just hope this helps others.

View attachment 40711

Isn’t that somebody’s job? No body notices when that isn’t getting done? What the hell isn’t getting done that we can’t see? How is it even possible that it would get out of the factory then through the service center then to the customer with out being fixed. Can’t believe the SC the final point before delivery would expect a customer to take that with out fixing first. Piss poor quality control.

 

[Rousie13]

Isn’t that somebody’s job? No body notices when that isn’t getting done? What the hell isn’t getting done that we can’t see? How is it even possible that it would get out of the factory then through the service center then to the customer with out being fixed. Can’t believe the SC the final point before delivery would expect a customer to take that with out fixing first. Piss poor quality control.

My assumption is they were installed and then removed at the plant for a repair/inspection, and then never reinstalled. How they signed off on the repair I have no idea. Normally the repair should be signed off by the person doing the repair and then confirmed by someone else. Assuming my assumption is correct, then yeah I have no idea how this type of thing went through multiple levels of checks.

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