Rivian executive acknowledges R1S AC noise problem

[Franksmartin]

That sucks but I’m not sure how widespread this issue is. Nothing on the FB forums about it that I have seen, I think if it was common it would be discussed much more.

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[MGA]

I think there are already some Rivian haters, with spam "issues" (not real or exaggerated).

 

[SlaterGS]

I’ve gotten this done and do recommend others to do it as well, but if I had to do it again, I would skip the roof glass tint and just get a dedicated sun shade unless you have passengers that really, really value looking through it.

Skip because it doesn't do much? Skip because there is concern that it could trap the heat and crack the glass? Or?
My kids love the glass so I think I'll be keeping it, but looking to ceramic all glass as of now so would like your thoughts. TIA

 

[Jarico75]

Rivian keeps telling me the vehicle is not a safety concern which I assume is true. I'm sure they are trying to avoid this issue qualifying for the lemon law.

Texas’ lemon law doesn’t require going to court. Item #6 says anything that substantially impacts the value of the vehicle. You could argue this impacts the vehicles value.

 

[MidnightRivian]

@RJ ARE YOU HEARING THIS SHIT???

This is the exact AC noise everyone is talking about at full load. You can see the compressor in action screaming HOLD ON DEAR LIFE - HODL

Is this what you had in mind when you designed the HVAC and hiked up the prices $20,000??

The vibrations in the pedals and floor pan don't really help sell the story that EV's are quieter than ICE.

 

[clcbjc123]

Skip because it doesn't do much? Skip because there is concern that it could trap the heat and crack the glass? Or?
My kids love the glass so I think I'll be keeping it, but looking to ceramic all glass as of now so would like your thoughts. TIA

next week I’ll be tinting windshield to 75%, front driver/pass 20%, all rear 50%, and sunroof to 20%.
If you‘ve never driven a vehicle with the windshield tinted you’re missing out.
Half the time I don’t need sunglasses, game changer for heat management and reducing the dash becoming a heat sink for the car. Think, it’s the largest piece of glass in all non-Rivian vehicles. I’ve gotta imagine the sunroof is larger than the windshield in the Rivian and the #1 culprit in UV and heat generation.

 

[docwhiz]

@RJ ARE YOU HEARING THIS SHIT???

This is the exact AC noise everyone is talking about at full load. You can see the compressor in action screaming HOLD ON DEAR LIFE - HODL

It would be useful to have actual decibel sound level readings from various locations.
I believe there are apps for that.

 

[MidnightRivian]

It would be useful to have actual decibel sound level readings from various locations.
I believe there are apps for that.

I did all that yesterday and I am just an amateur who works with numbers for a living. It took me less than and hour to figure out the noise, location, hz and DB. How did the engineers and parts team not notice this. Did they only test the car in Antarctica and forget to test it in Texas or say Australia / Middle East.

The rollout into warmer climates will be hilarious if they do not make some changes.

Do you really think some Sheikh in Dubai with oil money will drive this hoopty that sounds like a F-35 when the AC is on?

30 db in the cabin with AC off and 68 db with the AC on. I believe the specific noise we are hearing is in the 280hz range and the higher pitched noise is the 775hz range.

 

[DallasBBQ]

@RJ ARE YOU HEARING THIS SHIT???

This is the exact AC noise everyone is talking about at full load. You can see the compressor in action screaming HOLD ON DEAR LIFE - HODL

Is this what you had in mind when you designed the HVAC and hiked up the prices $20,000??

Great video - This is the exact issue that Rivian keeps saying is "operating as designed"

 

[MidnightRivian]

Great video - This is the exact issue that Rivian keeps saying is "operating as designed"

The next time someone tells me this is normal behavior and they don't care to address it is seriously asking me to open my short position back up on Rivian after earnings pump.

 

[docwhiz]

The next time someone tells me this is normal behavior and they don't care to address it is seriously asking me to open my short position back up on Rivian after earnings pump.

Risky bet

 

[MidnightRivian]

Risky bet

I like defined risk where I can put a hedge or stop limit / loss in place.

keeping the Rivian past 7 days or 1000 miles hoping for a fix from corporate is a risky bet with no possible hedge.

I’ll take my odds in the markets versus corporate shenanigans and lawyer speak.

 

[Fclmd]

Last night, just before 7:00, I received a call from the Rivian Southwest territory manager. During our conversation, she acknowledged the widespread issue with AC motor noise in the R1S that occurs in hot weather. I expressed my frustration, explaining that our vehicle has become so loud that we avoid driving it unless absolutely necessary. To me, this clearly indicates a defective design, but she quickly refuted my claim.

Her response seemed rehearsed, as if carefully crafted by their legal team. She assured me that the vehicle is operating as designed, providing cooling and posing no safety risk. I shared my experience of driving two other R1S vehicles in Dallas, both of which did not have this noise issue. She stated they are among the "lucky ones."

Interestingly, it seems that my persistence in reaching out to various executives within the company, including RJ himself, has finally prompted a response. I had already taken the vehicle to the Dallas service center twice for repairs, only to be told repeatedly that nothing was wrong with it.

It's incredibly frustrating to own an $80K vehicle that sounds like it's about to explode. I wish good luck to everyone in hot climates this summer, as this problem has escalated from being intermittent to nearly constant. The noise is unbelievably loud, both inside and outside the vehicle. I have attached videos to highlight the severity of the issue.

Mine too.
and not only in hot weather. Happens sometimes when just starting vehicle in the garage. In 70 degree weather.

AND- when the Rivian delivery lady says you can just accept the new vehicle they have brought you (after waiting 3 years) with whatever issue you have noticed during the 30 min walk/drive around, and assures you that you can put in a ticket and the local mobile Rivian repair person will come fix it... DON’T believe her.
Rivian will insist that you bring it 350 miles to the nearest Service Center and then leave it there for a week.
How do you get home?
What do you drive to work in the meantime?
How do you get it back?
Aargh.

 

[jpmc86]

Mine too.
and not only in hot weather. Happens sometimes when just starting vehicle in the garage. In 70 degree weather.

AND- when the Rivian delivery lady says you can just accept the new vehicle they have brought you (after waiting 3 years) with whatever issue you have noticed during the 30 min walk/drive around, and assures you that you can put in a ticket and the local mobile Rivian repair person will come fix it... DON’T believe her.
Rivian will insist that you bring it 350 miles to the nearest Service Center and then leave it there for a week.
How do you get home?
What do you drive to work in the meantime?
How do you get it back?
Aargh.

This - I also fell for the “this can be addressed via mobile service” to then find out they don’t even want to change a tire via Mobile but prefer to flatbed your truck to the service center.

I.e. my lift gate was said to be adjustable via service. 10 visits later for a multitude of other items they basically said it’s defective from design and it is what it is.

 

[vista1984]

Just an idea:
Someone should start a poll. (I am too lazy to manage it.) and we post VIN and area.

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