Four years, four R1Ts. An adventure and a bitter-sweet cautionary tale.

[onesoil]

Thank you for the write up, Brake questions since this seems like a specific anomaly to how you used those vehicles:

Did you turn off blended braking on any of the vehicles (through the infotainment screen)?

If you had it on, we’re you typically at a very high state of charge (which is when the blended braking typically occurs)?

I don’t use it - my 2022 R1T (I’m the original owner) has over 39,000 miles on it and the original brake pads are still at 80% or more.

Here's one photo showing very reduced regen in conditions I wouldn't expect. I have many more photos like this, as I was trying to convince the SC that my truck has some abnormal issue that limits regen more than it should, which may have caused premature brake wear. This deadened... they claimed it was within "normal" operating specs, and couldn't really explain why this regen limitation exists as often as it seems to with my truck—something I wouldn't notice if I didn't turn off brake blending. I also noticed similar behavior with my father's truck before brake blending was added as a feature in the software—but that was generally while descending longer hills. Regen seems to fairly quickly diminish while descending even fairly minor hills (by VT standards). Almost every day I descend roughly 500 feet to go into town at least once and by the bottom of our hill, I'm usually experiencing reduced regen.

Sponsored

 

[David Yunker]

Dang, that is a lot. I have a 2022 quad with 55,000 miles. The only things I have replaced are the rubber, 12V batteries (just this week) and windshield washer fluid. The SC did replace the HVAC condensate line although I never had an issue with it. I think I got a good one.

 

[justinkitswa]

Brilliant post, well organized and brutally truthful.
Couldn't agree more on the "both love and hate it" sentiment.

 

[epowermarine]

Yikes! All out of pocket? How much is that going to run you? This is exactly the trap I'm holing people don't fall into! And I can't imagine a more comparitively vehicle—friendly environment than Florida... Except perhaps the salty air and humidity/heat? I have no experience, just speculating since it's flat and doesn't have winters to speak of. Is that where your truck has spent its whole life?

No, $0 out of pocket as I'm still under my 60k mile comprehensive warranty. I'm saying that moving forward Rivian does not offer an Extended Warranty for purchase in the State of FL, at least not yet.

 

[wski441]

dang!

I thought michigan winters were tough on vehicles, but we hit 100k on our first set of brakes/rotors.

 

[2kwik4u]

After the first few wintery days I have always said it was "another vehicle designed by people living in California" (the othersbeing Teslas). Sure, they bring them to AK for some testing, but they don't know what living through a winter is like. The snow and ice buildup in various places alone is infuriating. The lack of proper de-icing/windshield wiping when it's slushy/salty/damp/cold can be downright dangerous. And there are so many points of failure that continual salt/slush conditions seem to bring about (I had wheel speed sensor/harness failure that threw me into turtle mode four times before it was finally fully fixed—the sensor harness plug was laughably poorly corrosion-proofed given its location right on the front damper leading to the front hub).

I could go on and on (and clearly did ). I wish they were more receptive to my feedback about these things—I have tried (and failed) to get anyone's attention in any meaningful way.

Interestingly enough.....I too have lost 2 wheel speed sensors/harnesses as well. I didn't get turtle mode, I got all the sensors disabled, and no autonomy. Intermittent errors at first, then constant. Once in the shop it was identified, repaired, and back to me in 2 days. Again, great service, but shouldn't have needed it to begin with.

Have your parking sensors started corroding yet? Mine are doing this now. No warnings/issues yet aside from some random phantom proximity alerts from time to time. On my list to be addressed at the next service visit.

 

[godfodder0901]

Here's one photo showing very reduced regen in conditions I wouldn't expect. I have many more photos like this, as I was trying to convince the SC that my truck has some abnormal issue that limits regen more than it should, which may have caused premature brake wear. This deadened... they claimed it was within "normal" operating specs, and couldn't really explain why this regen limitation exists as often as it seems to with my truck—something I wouldn't notice if I didn't turn off brake blending. I also noticed similar behavior with my father's truck before brake blending was added as a feature in the software—but that was generally while descending longer hills. Regen seems to fairly quickly diminish while descending even fairly minor hills (by VT standards). Almost every day I descend roughly 500 feet to go into town at least once and by the bottom of our hill, I'm usually experiencing reduced regen.

I've seen the exact same thing in my 2022 Quad. It's definitely associated with AC charging. I've put in plenty of tickets as well, and they have no answer. Funny thing is, I can predict within 100 ft. when the arbitrary limitation will lift and full regen is provided again.

 

[onesoil]

Interestingly enough.....I too have lost 2 wheel speed sensors/harnesses as well. I didn't get turtle mode, I got all the sensors disabled, and no autonomy. Intermittent errors at first, then constant. Once in the shop it was identified, repaired, and back to me in 2 days. Again, great service, but shouldn't have needed it to begin with.

Have your parking sensors started corroding yet? Mine are doing this now. No warnings/issues yet aside from some random phantom proximity alerts from time to time. On my list to be addressed at the next service visit.

Yes, on two or three of our vehicles It messed with the parking sensors and driver+ until they were replaced.

 

[onesoil]

Interestingly enough.....I too have lost 2 wheel speed sensors/harnesses as well. I didn't get turtle mode, I got all the sensors disabled, and no autonomy. Intermittent errors at first, then constant. Once in the shop it was identified, repaired, and back to me in 2 days. Again, great service, but shouldn't have needed it to begin with.

Have your parking sensors started corroding yet? Mine are doing this now. No warnings/issues yet aside from some random phantom proximity alerts from time to time. On my list to be addressed at the next service visit.

Yes, on two or three of our vehicles It messed with the parking sensors and driver+ until they were replaced.

 

[rogunenode]

I debate this currently myself. We very much were "believers." My father reserved his in 2018, and I got mine as soon as Demos became available. For my truck, I may try to hold out (and perhaps get extended warranty to buy more time) for Gen 3 and Scout. At this point, I hope there will be some other midsize electric offerings, though that's not looking promising.

If you're considering the upcoming Scout, you might also keep an eye on Ford's upcoming (2028) mid-size EV truck. It's supposed to be around the size of the Maverick and start ~$30k. Ford's supply chain and dealer network could be a real advantage in terms of downtime when service is needed.

 

[onesoil]

If you're considering the upcoming Scout, you might also keep an eye on Ford's upcoming (2028) mid-size EV truck. It's supposed to be around the size of the Maverick and start ~$30k. Ford's supply chain and dealer network could be a real advantage in terms of downtime when service is needed.

Yes, that’s absolutely on my radar. I should have mentioned that one as well! I wish it was ranger sized, especially for longer trips with all our camping gear and whatnot, but I also haven’t even been in a maverick—perhaps it’s plenty of space Hopefully we’ll see how the full EV truck is right around the time we’ll need to be making next vehicle decisions.

 

[NY_Rob]

Hi Sid, great post! Is there anyone at Rivian you could send it to (in PDF form)? Sometimes I think they just keep rolling along ignoring issues. At least your post would give them well documented proof of real life vehicle problems their customer face and how that impacts potential future sales to previous owners.

 

[CrazyOne]

Here's one photo showing very reduced regen in conditions I wouldn't expect. I have many more photos like this, as I was trying to convince the SC that my truck has some abnormal issue that limits regen more than it should, which may have caused premature brake wear. This deadened... they claimed it was within "normal" operating specs, and couldn't really explain why this regen limitation exists as often as it seems to with my truck—something I wouldn't notice if I didn't turn off brake blending. I also noticed similar behavior with my father's truck before brake blending was added as a feature in the software—but that was generally while descending longer hills. Regen seems to fairly quickly diminish while descending even fairly minor hills (by VT standards). Almost every day I descend roughly 500 feet to go into town at least once and by the bottom of our hill, I'm usually experiencing reduced regen.

Not sure about G2, but G1 has a problem with motor inverters hitting temperature limit. Battery temperature isn't the only temperature relevant for regen. I have had limited regen on long descents in freezing conditions. It recovers quickly, but then limits again.

 

[Goose]

Wow. I bought my R1T used but feel like I must have gotten a good one (knocks on all the wood).

 

[racekarl]

Thanks for this very thorough post and your thoughtful and detailed follow up replies. I'm sorry you've had so many issues, I feel very lucky after reading your post for the relatively pedestrian issues I've had with mine.

It seems like your tech's brake theory has gone up the food chain: I see that Rivian recently added a line item to the maintenance schedule to clean the brake calipers every 12,000 miles if driven on salted roads.

Sponsored