Honest Feedback on buying 2023 R1T- knowing what you know

[Roads76]

I purchased a 23 R1T in October, production 19xxx, have had zero issues. It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.

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[Alanparkcity]

Good day owners. I’m one day away from purchasing an R1 T with 10,000 miles. The truck looks brand new. The price is very very good. The owner is simply ordering an R1S to replace. I have been reading this forum for six days the good the bad and the ugly. I am in Houston with the service center 19 miles away. Clearly I still have much remaining warranty on the truck- having said that reading about the steering wheel vibrations, suspension challenges longer lead times for service and repeat service for same issues gives me pause. Then I read how outstanding the vehicles are I drove one, wow. The production number is 18 XXX not sure that matters but it’s not one of the earliest ones. I’m on the fence looking for some feedback that might push me away or comfort me. This would be my first electric vehicle. I do appreciate anyone’s feedback greatly.

I bought my ‘23 R1T new. Serial # 22xxx. It has been completely reliable and damn near perfect in every way. I had some wind noise, but sealing windows (thread here) solved that, so it is perfectly quiet too. Might be in the range of serial#’s where Rivian is proactively replacing 12v batteries.

 

[mudito]

Good day owners. I’m one day away from purchasing an R1 T with 10,000 miles. The truck looks brand new. The price is very very good. The owner is simply ordering an R1S to replace. I have been reading this forum for six days the good the bad and the ugly. I am in Houston with the service center 19 miles away. Clearly I still have much remaining warranty on the truck- having said that reading about the steering wheel vibrations, suspension challenges longer lead times for service and repeat service for same issues gives me pause. Then I read how outstanding the vehicles are I drove one, wow. The production number is 18 XXX not sure that matters but it’s not one of the earliest ones. I’m on the fence looking for some feedback that might push me away or comfort me. This would be my first electric vehicle. I do appreciate anyone’s feedback greatly.

Call Rivian and they will provide you with the EXACT remaining warranty for that VIN and also the past service items completed on that VIN. I did that in July 2024 before purchasing my 2022 R1T with 4800 miles.

 

[tubbydog12]

Call Rivian and they will provide you with the EXACT remaining warranty for that VIN and also the past service items completed on that VIN. I did that in July 2024 before purchasing my 2022 R1T with 4800 miles.

They will not provide me- tried 6 times. Privacy- im getting data from seller

 

[mudito]

They will not provide me- tried 6 times. Privacy- im getting data from seller

Wow... I had luck then... I had a complete report in XLS from Rivian... Maybe because I was buying one sitting in a Used car dealership?

Is yours from a Private party?

 

[tubbydog12]

Wow... I had luck then... I had a complete report in XLS from Rivian... Maybe because I was buying one sitting in a Used car dealership?

Is yours from a Private party?

Yes PP

 

[mudito]

Yes PP

Then that makes sense. The owner can then request that and share it with you Otherwise, once ownership is transferred you can request this yourself, of course.

Overall, and being honest, I feel much better today buying a SLIGHTLY used Rivian rather than a brand-new one.... Again... Today

I would assume that any major defect was already detected/corrected.

 

[Tango45]

One more for the pile-on: 18XX VIN R1S Quad. Just passed 2 years. Had some issues, but I've never been stranded and all service experiences have been better than I've had with dealerships. Best car I've ever had. If someone tries to carjack me, it's a fight to the death. I'd buy another in a second if she'd let me. Until then, we are waiting for the R3X.

 

[beyond]

Another for the "it's the best" I've owned. It's also one of the most frustrating as mine has been in the shop for about 3 months total since I bought it back in 2022. (early vin, 3000's). Now that they've replaced / upgraded many of my parts to the newer "versions" (like the subframe and jounce lines) I am hopeful my days in the service center are done.

I'll be 100% trading it in for another one prior to the warranty running out in 2027.

 

[ryanjburry]

Great thread, thanks to the OP for starting it and all the helpful replies! I asked something similar on the Reddit Rivian sub trying to learn whether there were any VINs after which notable upgrades/updates were made and got nothing like was mentioned here about the suspension and subframe updates, double 12v battery, etc.

I too am close to buying a used R1T and coming from Tesla MY I know that there were crucial hardware updates made that mean some '22 model years have HW3 and other '22 model years have HW4 which mades for a much better FSD experience, for example, so I figured there must be updates worth knowing about that Rivian made within each model year.

Anyway, thanks again to all who have commented.

 

[FlightDoc]

Buy it and congrats.
I have RIT quad Feb 2023 delivery.
No significant complaints. I use it as a hauling and commuting truck, not an over lander thing.

Annoyances:
Tonneau FUBAR but that’s over now
Should have ordered with 20’s but it snowed today and 21’s still doing OK.
No satellite radio, seems small but that’s a huge dissatisfier for me.

Lastly, the Rivian CEO seems to care about the customers, the employees, and the environment. Those are important to me too.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Good day owners. I’m one day away from purchasing an R1 T with 10,000 miles. The truck looks brand new. The price is very very good. The owner is simply ordering an R1S to replace. I have been reading this forum for six days the good the bad and the ugly. I am in Houston with the service center 19 miles away. Clearly I still have much remaining warranty on the truck- having said that reading about the steering wheel vibrations, suspension challenges longer lead times for service and repeat service for same issues gives me pause. Then I read how outstanding the vehicles are I drove one, wow. The production number is 18 XXX not sure that matters but it’s not one of the earliest ones. I’m on the fence looking for some feedback that might push me away or comfort me. This would be my first electric vehicle. I do appreciate anyone’s feedback greatly.

I too have a 2023 R1T 189XX VIN, so you should be getting a meridian sound system with that truck! It's the best!

I've had two beyond the norm service visits over the last 2 years, but considering what I've put the vehicle through from an off road perspective, it's not unexpected. Each time Rivian has been extremely prompt, and in my opinion, gone far beyond what I would have expected. I will add, that a couple of the more problem Gen 1 components, Rivian has swapped out voluntarily for more robust re-engineered components etc. Jounce lines and front sub frame to name a couple.

The truck is by far the most versatile vehicles I've owned, and likely anyone can own. It gets you 90% of the way to a bespoke Sports car like canyon shredder, and 90% of the way to a kitted out off-roader, and everything in between. It really is a joy to drive and since owning it, I always take the scenic route.

Smiles for Miles!

 

[DayTripping]

Wow... I had luck then... I had a complete report in XLS from Rivian... Maybe because I was buying one sitting in a Used car dealership?

Is yours from a Private party?

Rivian wouldn't give me Jack about my truck. I tried a lot of different times and ways.

 

[mudito]

Rivian wouldn't give me Jack about my truck. I tried a lot of different times and ways.

Did I just get lucky?

 

[Rivianero]

Will add my vote to the "best vehicle I've ever owned" pile. Planning to keep mine forever. Aside from damage caused by the previous owner, mine has been pretty trouble free.

There are indeed some rough edges with the vehicle and company being a first iteration. Software updates have resolved some of that. Owning a Rivian means accepting some of that and being patient.

That is a gen 1 VIN (same as I have). Be sure to familiarize yourself with the differences between gen 1 and gen 2. ADAS is the primary one. One can safely assume that the gen 1 ADAS is about as good as it will ever get. Gen 2 ADAS will likely improve more. You need to determine if that is important an important convenience to you.

I have not heard any negatives about H-town SCs. Atlanta is probably the worst (busiest?), Austin is so-so. I feel spoiled to live a few minutes from the new San Antonio SC. When I did need service, they kept routing me to Austin with 6-8 week lead times, but after I requested SA they made a next-week appointment for me. If you are flexible about which SC to use, you might bet more prompt service.

I'm not aware of any valid third-party pre-purchase inspectors that can evaluate EVs well. (It may well exist and I'm just ignorant.) I wonder if you could pay the local SC to give the vehicle a once-over inspection just for peace of mind.

As a second owner, you should be getting a bargain on a great vehicle.

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