Early adopters who gave up on Rivian, RJ hopes you give Rivian another try

[VC_Rivian]

https://www.newsweek.com/rivian-ceo-admits-major-fault-drove-away-customers-12046794

Some Rivian early adopters were driven away by the ownership experience. Scaringe holds out hope that they will be willing to give Rivian another try

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[Rivian R2D2]

To buy or not to buy?

Both Rivian and Tesla have been evaluated for reliability in Consumer Reports' 2025 Automotive Report Card.

Rivian was ranked as the least reliable brand among 22 major auto manufacturers, while Tesla was ranked sixth least reliable.

Specific Issues

Rivian:
Ranked lowest in reliability.
Despite this, 85% of owners expressed they would purchase a Rivian vehicle again, indicating high satisfaction.

Tesla:
Faced multiple recalls, particularly with the Cybertruck, which had six recalls in 2024 alone.
Issues included problems with the accelerator pedal and rearview camera.
69% of Tesla owners stated they would buy their vehicle again, reflecting a strong level of satisfaction despite reliability concerns.

Business Insider (2026)

 

[1stPlace]

There's a lot of people who didn't purchase with early adopter mindset. They purchased because they are rich and wanted to appear cool (and rich). I think that is a lot of the luxury car segment.

There will be different issues with the mass market, but undeserving levels of entitlement won't be one. Average people are more concerned with costs, not process. In fact, many are willing to jump through hoops in order to save a buck.

I do think for the households where the R2 could be their only vehicle for work, having a loaner vehicle available is an absolute must for Rivian, though.

 

[captainjp]

RJ is being diplomatic. He really should tell them to go piss up a rope and good riddance.

 

[HaveBlue]

The real problem is getting parts out of warranty and the insane cost. At least Tesla has a proper service menu and parts network now.

 

[Armeniandave]

I bought an R1T a few years ago and had it for about 7 months. Out of that 7 months it
was in service about 3.5 months. I sold it and lost a bit so yeah Rivians quality definitely
let me down. I vowed to never buy one again but I've had time to calm down from the
experience and I do have an order in for an R2. Telling people to piss up a rope is extremely
rude considering when I had the R1 I didn't even know if I could make it to my destination
when I drove it. The reliability is a major concern and I am hoping they figured it out.
I'm actually going to test drive the R2 in a few hours so I'm definitely giving them a chance.

 

[carsly]

Rivian should be more concerned with efficiency. My 2025 R1S is averaging less than 1.6 mi/kwh on 22" street tires (OEM) in 16 months on the road. It has the 109 kwh "large" pack so has an effective range of 150 miles full to near dead. Yes, my tires are properly inflated. Yes, it has been into service (mobile twice, center twice). All operating as intended.

As a result, we only use it for around town use. Can't take it more than 50-60 miles from home one-way or run the risk of having to charge on the way back if the weather isn't perfect.

I suspect this is why the 141kwh max pack is the play - to have normal range.

With R2's 80+kwh pack and similar efficiency you're looking at real-world range of about 120 miles if conditions are right. If they're not? Well, <100 miles. Don't believe the EPA range numbers on a Gen 2 or newer Rivian.

 

[derekmw]

Rivian should be more concerned with efficiency. My 2025 R1S is averaging less than 1.6 mi/kwh on 22" street tires (OEM) in 16 months on the road. It has the 109 kwh "large" pack so has an effective range of 150 miles full to near dead. Yes, my tires are properly inflated. Yes, it has been into service (mobile twice, center twice). All operating as intended.

As a result, we only use it for around town use. Can't take it more than 50-60 miles from home one-way or run the risk of having to charge on the way back if the weather isn't perfect.

I suspect this is why the 141kwh max pack is the play - to have normal range.

With R2's 80+kwh pack and similar efficiency you're looking at real-world range of about 120 miles if conditions are right. If they're not? Well, <100 miles. Don't believe the EPA range numbers on a Gen 2 or newer Rivian.

No, Rivian should look at your R1S because that's not normal.

 

[carsly]

No, Rivian should look at your R1S because that's not normal.

It's from Normal.

And they claim it is normal.

 

[derekmw]

It's from Normal.

And they claim it is normal.

lol. then I'd keep complaining until they acknowledge it.

My 2023 R1T on 20" AT tires averages ~2.2mi/kwh and I do not baby the thing

 

[NY_Rob]

Funny....

" The company has changed. “Service lead times can't be measured in weeks or tens of days, it needs to be a couple of days at most, and so a lot of work over the last four years has been to take service lead times that in some of our really popular markets were 20, 30,40 days, in some cases down to two or three days,” the CEO said. "

 

[carsly]

lol. then I'd keep complaining until they acknowledge it.

My 2023 R1T on 20" AT tires averages ~2.2mi/kwh and I do not baby the thing

Life is short. I've got two years left with it and have other cars to drive.

Could end up being our first and last Rivian. I vote with my dollars.

 

[Nixapatfan]

Good luck with that RJ, just hoping isn't going to bring them back. Maybe offer some exclusive discounts to existing or previous owners to entice them.

Me personally I'm not a fan of the hostility against diy or 3rd party repairs so I'm out unless that changes.

 

[beatle]

Maybe if they offer an R2T.

Also, slow service and a degrade to Uber credits is lousy. It'd be livable if it didn't need to go in so frequently. My jounce lines need to be fixed for a 3rd time, and the heater malfunctions on every drive below freezing, but I am just too sick of taking the truck in. With the R2 volume, I see it getting a lot worse before it gets better. At least I can walk away in 12 months.

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