RIVIAN Execs! Brakes stoped working in highway at over 76MPH

[moonjeong]

Pull over immediately, or take pictures of the displays first? I think if I had those warnings, I would pull over immediately.

Yeap. I pulled over - well, had to let it roll to a stop, took pics and video of the last few seconds.

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[Foobar]

What is the emergency brake? On the shift lever? I didn't try that when the vehicle was moving... should have tried that - good point.

Yep - the park button doubles as an emergency brake to slow the vehicle down before putting it into park once stopped. It’s electric though so I’d be curious to know if it would have responded if the normal braking system was unresponsive.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Did you try holding down the emergency parking brake? Honestly, I have not tried that yet. Will have to sometime.

I thought about this one and if the parking brake was still functioning (seemingly was at the end of the video), using it on a highway would probably be my last choice before I rear end someone. Depending on the weight of the trailer, etc, hitting the E-brake and locking up the rear could cause the whole vehicle to become an unstable mess.

I am curious the cause of the malfunction. I know OP said it was a couple months before an appointment, but that's likely a place holder.

 

[moonjeong]

Yep - the park button doubles as an emergency brake to slow the vehicle down before putting it into park once stopped. It’s electric though so I’d be curious to know if it would have responded if the normal braking system was unresponsive.

Thanks. That's good to know

 

[NY_Rob]

You need to report this to the NHTSA as @cohall mentioned if you're interested in preventing this from happening to others as you said you are. This is a extremely serious issue, the NHTSA will not sit on something like this, they will contact Rivian to see what they found and what corrective measures they are taking.

If Rivian buys your 18 month old vehicle back, they will likely make you sign a NDA regarding the brake failure findings.

No way they are going to make you wait 3 months for a service appointment for a full 4-wheel brake failure. Call them back and escalate, If they don't agree to see your vehicle this week, tell them it's working now and you intend to drive it till your service appointment 3 months from now!

 

[godfodder0901]

I find that really hard to believe. Rivian does *not* use brake by wire as some auto makers have been moving to. It's a purely mechanical/hydraulic system and doesn't attempt to blend regen and friction brakes. If you hit the pedal it increases pressure in the hydraulic lines and in turn presses the pads in to the rotors. Hardly an expert, but the only way I can imagine the friction brakes not working in that way is if one of the lines was plugged up by foreign material in the brake fluid...but, it's a 4-channel system so you'd have to have crap in all 4 lines which seems unlikely.

It uses an electronic brake booster. Without it the brakes will still work, but in a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced capacity, similar to an ICE car with the engine off.

 

[moonjeong]

You need to report this to the NHTSA as @cohall mentioned if you're interested in preventing this from happening to others as you said you are. This is a extremely serious issue, the NHTSA will not sit on something like this, they will contact Rivian to see what they found and what corrective measures they are taking.

If Rivian buys your 18 month old vehicle back, they will likely make you sign a NDA regarding the brake failure findings.

No way they are going to make you wait 3 months for a service appointment for a full 4-wheel brake failure. Call them back and escalate, If they don't agree to see your vehicle this week, tell them it's working now and you intend to drive it till your service appointment 3 months from now!

Thanks. Reporting to NHTSA - this needs to get investigated and is serious for all Rivian owners, even my wife who owns an R1S.

I would be scared of driving this, so Rivian should be more worried to your point.

 

[NY_Rob]

It uses an electronic brake booster. Without it the brakes will still work, but in a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced capacity, similar to an ICE car with the engine off.

I was going to mention that, and it's probably a requirement for US street legal vehicles. Without the electronic boost, you will have to exert 100-150lbs force on the brake pedal to activate the brakes, even more if towing a trailer at 75mph.

 

[electruck]

I may have missed it but I didn't see mention of how you scheduled service with Rivian. For something critical like this, start with a phone call. They may have to reach out to the service center and call you back but they often seem to prioritize vehicles that are undrivable.

 

[zefram47]

It uses an electronic brake booster. Without it the brakes will still work, but in a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced capacity, similar to an ICE car with the engine off.

I was going to mention that, and it's probably a requirement for US street legal vehicles. Without the electronic boost, you will have to exert 100-150lbs force on the brake pedal to activate the brakes, even more if towing a trailer at 75mph.

That's fair, and likely why the OP reported a firm brake pedal. I spose considering how many wrecks happen because people didn't hit the brake fully / hard enough anyway it would be foolish to expect them to push through the booster not operating as expected. Hell, I have a load cell brake on my sim racing rig and maxing that thing out takes some serious effort.

 

[moonjeong]

Quick update: Rivian contacted me right now said they will accelerate a service appointment for this issue and will escalate further to get a quick resolution. Person was cordial and was concerned on the event and will ensure their seniors and legal is aware of the situation.

 

[CrazyOne]

File a report with NHTSA and start researching lemon laws in your state.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

This! Ask Rivian for a buy back. Work with lawyer if they refuse, but escalate as high as you can before you go to lawyer.

Every manufacturer has lemons and I am sure Rivian has more than an average Toyota or a Honda.

 

[Latrant]

Thanks. 1st, I want to make sure everyone in the forum knows that if you get a brake error light while you're driving, you need to pull over immediately as your brakes may not work. This is a safety warning based on what I experienced just yesterday. Scary and important for people to know.

2nd I know Rivian execs read this forum occasionally, so hoping it catches their eyes. I've contacted Rivian so waiting for their response. If an exec reads sooner, better.

I would make a safety notification /complaint for recall to NHTSA.gov and IIHS.ORG.

if no response by Rivian a Lawyer for Lemon Law buy back. Your State may have a Transportation Safety Board that you can submit a complaint with video.

Better Business Bureau Complaint.

consumers reports complaint /Survey.

and lastly, tweet directly to Rivian as well as call.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Call the rivian roadside assistance line and get it towed from your home to the service center.

Pls keep up informed what needs to be repaired.

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