Warranty Dispute on Drivetrain Repairs – R1T Launch Edition at 75k Miles

[zallen99]

Just wanted to share my current experience with Rivian warranty coverage on my 2022 R1T Launch Edition, currently in the San Diego Service Center, in case others are facing similar issues.

Background:
At 75,002 miles (nearly all highway miles commuting ~120 roundtrip miles to work daily), my R1T developed a severe front-end vibration and later entered turtle mode (limited to <50 mph, which didn't allow me to get home >60 miles away with only freeway access to the rural area where I live). The following work was completed and invoiced under "Customer Pay", totaling $6,726.79, with the tech continuously claiming that everything is out of warranty:

1. Front Left Halfshaft Replacement – diagnosed as source of vibration
2. Rear Left and Right Dampers + Hydraulic Suspension Pump – after turtle mode with suspension faults
3. Center Tail Lamp Replacement – center bar partially out
4. Towing and minor diagnostics

I reviewed my original warranty guide (effective Sept 29, 2021, effective for my July 2022 delivery), which clearly outlines:

• 8yr / 175,000mi drivetrain warranty, including "interfaces between drivetrain and vehicle systems"
• 5yr / 60,000mi comprehensive warranty for general components
• Suspension and halfshaft systems, while not exhaustively listed, appear to fall under drivetrain-interfacing components per Rivian’s own wording

I’ve submitted a formal request to Rivian asking them to reclassify at least the drivetrain-related items (halfshaft and suspension pump/dampers) under warranty and pause any further work until this is resolved.

Important Detail:
In several instances, including possibly the center light issue, I had submitted service requests well before reaching 60,000 miles, but Rivian’s service backlog delayed appointments for months. It’s my position that warranty coverage should be honored based on mileage at time of complaint, not repair, especially when delays are on Rivian’s side.

So far, no formal response from Rivian on reclassification.

Takeaways for the community:

• If you're near a warranty cutoff (by time or mileage), document when you submitted your service request
• Ask explicitly for warranty classification in writing before approving costly repairs
• Be prepared to reference the actual warranty document—some key items may not be directly listed but are still covered under broader terms

Will update this thread as I hear back. Would appreciate hearing if others have had similar experiences, particularly around suspension or drivetrain issues being denied despite being under mileage/time coverage.

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[Giddy89]

I don’t think dampers are under powertrain, but I was under the impression half shafts were covered.

San Diego service center has always been very generous with warranty repairs to me. Hopefully there’s a resolution.

 

[seatosummit]

I am sitting at 53k on my '22 quad and contemplating my next move. Out of warranty maintenance seems prohibitively expensive.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Unfortunately, I always looked at the halfshafts as being on me outside the comprehensive 60k warranty. I took it as motors and inverters for powertrain.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Important Detail:
In several instances, including possibly the center light issue, I had submitted service requests well before reaching 60,000 miles, but Rivian’s service backlog delayed appointments for months. It’s my position that warranty coverage should be honored based on mileage at time of complaint, not repair, especially when delays are on Rivian’s side.

100% and it's easy for you, and rivian to reference the time of your request with your current t milage at the time of submission. Their backlog, shouldn't cost you on a repair they obliged to honor per warranty coverage. If it was caused by you, that's another issue. Mine was, so I replaced mine on my own dime.

 

[Golfer04]

I drive a lot of miles and this issue is why I'm on my 3rd R1T. The Normal SC couldn't/wouldn't explain exactly what is "drive train" when I asked. Specifically I asked if a software malfunction causes drive train issues is it covered? Answer..."good question". On all three trucks I've had repeated software issues. Not sure I trust these things past 60,000 miles. My first one had 62,000 when I traded it. Out of 22 months of ownership it spent 7 weeks in Normal SC. 2nd one was marginally better. This Tri had been good (20,000 miles since mid November), but last 5 weeks has been in Normal 2 weeks.

 

[Riviot]

8yr / 175,000mi drivetrain warranty, including "interfaces between drivetrain and vehicle systems"

DRIVETRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY
Coverage includes the electric motors, gearbox assembly, disconnects (rear only), and the dual power inverter
module. Interfaces that connect the vehicle systems to the drivetrain (including but not limited to external
cables, harnesses, and hoses) are covered under the terms of the comprehensive warranty.

Bottom of page 14:

https://assets.rivian.com/2md5qhoea...-limited-warranty-guide-us-en-us-20211222.pdf

It looks like everything but halfshafts are explicitly mentioned, which to me means they don't consider halfshafts part of the drivetrain.

I looked around at different drivetrain and powertrain warranties; they all cover driveshafts... But none mention halfshafts.

 

[CharonPDX]

Sadly, half-shafts are generally considered "not drivetrain" by any carmaker. Same with suspension.

Reminds me I'll need to make sure to open a ticket for "worrying noise, maybe half-shafts?" and "suspension is noisy raising/lowering" a few thousand miles before I hit 60k.

 

[ENVErider]

I agree that you "should" fall under any warranty issue on the date that you requested repair, not when the truck is brought in, but I wouldn't agree with the inquiries and questions that would establish the warranty date.
I see that previous responses about halfshafts is all over the map. I will share that many of us R1 owners have had their bolts and washers for the halfshaft connections replaced due to clicking noises; I had mine replaced last month and these were covered under warranty without questions or pushback from Rivian service.

 

[DaveA]

Anything that makes the vehicle move is supposed to be under powertrain. This is worrisome and no way in hell I keep this thing out of warranty, as half shafts have been my Achilles heel since about 5000 miles.

 

[SeaGeo]

Anything that makes the vehicle move is supposed to be under powertrain. This is worrisome and no way in hell I keep this thing out of warranty, as half shafts have been my Achilles heel since about 5000 miles.

So, wheels?

 

[DaveA]

So, wheels?

Debatable. Lol. Anything mechanical I imagine is what this means.

 

[SeaGeo]

Debatable. Lol. Anything mechanical I imagine is what this means.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...launch-edition-at-75k-miles.47707/post-828219

 

[Ecupip]

I wish it were true. Sadly powertrain and drivetrain warranties are super limited and don’t cover much. Im with the same understanding as Rivot above, it’s only for the battery, motors, and inverters.

 

[Jonger1150]

What does an out of pocket front half-shaft replacement job cost?

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