Rivians have poor quality?

[forestwalker]

Uh oh.

I am the MOST unhinged.

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[Christopher1000]

Okay, you are an early adopter, had bad service experiences, and sold your Rivian. You have moved on, and the point of your post is what? Why now? Seems like you are having trouble letting go and moving on. From my perspective, service has been very good at my service center (Richmond VA). I think services experiences are a local thing, not a brand thing.

First, I'm still a big investor with Rivian. Second, anyone can be on here whether you currently own or not.

 

[wolfethomas]

https://www.autoblog.com/features/tesla-vs-rivian-reliability

Refer to the post that includes the CR article. I don't read "professional" blogs where the authors can't even use proper grammar. 'They may be reporting accurately, or may be their personal opinion. If they aren't educated enough to use proper grammar when their job is to write, I don't trust their information.

 

[SwampNut]

We really should ignore CR on most things automotive, unless you're shopping OLD models from legacy makers. Early R1 had a shitload of problems, and yet, most were not showstoppers. The CR reliability number is really stupid; it mostly equates a Rivian needing a new set of 12v batteries to the Toyotas spitting their engines on the ground. One of my Jeeps had a known issue with the radiator, they lumped it in there with others that had trans issues (they identified as running but were not).

I completely expect the R2 to be vastly less problematic with everything they have learned and changed. My R1, with VIN 10,500, was early-ish but not super early. It has had some "early" problems but not like waiting two months for a GM transmission (one of my friends with a 2025). For example, my version 1 powered tonneau cover failed, like most do. Again CR would count this as being a mark against reliability, though, it's just a damn cover. The TSB for a free replacement to the new cover is treated like a TSB for something that takes out your engine.

 

[Time2Roll]

What is service? Mine just runs. Far better than the last three EVs I drove.
Nothing against Tesla, I have not owned one to compare.
I am trying to assume generation two has been improved and the report is mostly first generation.

 

[Harvest]

I've had my quad 2022 R1T since October OF 2022. I've had only one extremely minor issue in that time, which was the frunk would auto open but not auto close (this was after having it for a couple of years). It would manually close. They sent a mobile technician to fix it in my home driveway within a week of when I contacted them. I also used mobile service when it was time to replace my 12 volt battery. The only time I used the service center was when I had a rock chip the windshield, and it was easy to schedule, only had to wait a couple of weeks (this was Kansas City service center) and they gave me a free loaner. So my service experience has been excellent and the lack of issues and maintenance cost with the vehicle has been far superior to any of the 15 vehicles I owned previously. That's not to say others haven't had issues, but just want to counter the impression that every Rivian requires a lot of work and that every Rivian service center is overwhelmed, because that has not been my experience at all.

 

[marpow]

Everyone's experience is unique. I've had other cars (eg, Mini Cooper) that were far worse for issues. My midyear 2023 R1T has had a few issues: wind noise from A-pillar trim near the top, a suspension sensor that corroded, a half-shaft thunk, and wait times to get in for service (at least in Boston), but Rivian was responsive for the suspension and half-shaft and I haven't reported the A-pillar since I found a fix myself.

But build materials feel solid and driving experience is phenomenal. Utility is exceptional. All in all, for a first run vehicle, I find it pretty amazing. Now, if continued production doesn't improve, then that is an issue.

My $0.02 and YMMV.

Any pointers on what you did to fix the A-pillar wind noise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rade]

I have hit a few manufacturing defects that the Canton SC took care of in short order; which I would have expected of a manufacturer of any new (2025) vehicle still under warranty.

Structurally... mechanically... build quality my R1T continues to be superb! 20 months, no rattles, no road noises, no failures in fit and finish.

It's the OS that is moderately buggy. I scan the update notes to see if what I have experienced is part of that upgrade (Apple Music is sloooooooowly getting fixed, though I think the current problem is more related to cellular service dead zones). A few times a week, I get hit with some "component / function unavailable" (frequently UHF) that a "walk-away / lock / unlock" seems to clear, and this past weekend while running errands, "Parking Brake malfunction" RED error that a full "Hazard / Left Button" reboot was the only way to (thankfully) clear error get the R1T out of park, and an eror log was generated.

As I tell people, I retired after 36 years in the computer / IT business. I was used to having to periodically reboot mainframe computers to "purge the baffles"; but this is getting a little... long in the tooth for me. I can't seem to go more than a few days without some warning light or error flagging. This most recent one happened with my husband in the truck, and he was... let's say "perplexed" ("Wadda mean you gotta reboot the truck?").

My husbands Tesla Model Y - nada. Nary a blip. Flawless. He gets near weekly OS updates and fixes; not quarterly or monthly. But that is a Tesla team of world-wide programmers, not a somewhat smaller Rivian team in (I would expect) Normal IL.

I'll just patiently wait.

 

[SwampNut]

Any pointers on what you did to fix the A-pillar wind noise would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some of my improvements. Also make sure you recalibrate the window as that is a common issue.

 

[mkhuffman]

I have hit a few manufacturing defects that the Canton SC took care of in short order; which I would have expected of a manufacturer of any new (2025) vehicle still under warranty.

Structurally... mechanically... build quality my R1T continues to be superb! 20 months, no rattles, no road noises, no failures in fit and finish.

It's the OS that is moderately buggy. I scan the update notes to see if what I have experienced is part of that upgrade (Apple Music is sloooooooowly getting fixed, though I think the current problem is more related to cellular service dead zones). A few times a week, I get hit with some "component / function unavailable" (frequently UHF) that a "walk-away / lock / unlock" seems to clear, and this past weekend while running errands, "Parking Brake malfunction" RED error that a full "Hazard / Left Button" reboot was the only way to (thankfully) clear error get the R1T out of park, and an eror log was generated.

As I tell people, I retired after 36 years in the computer / IT business. I was used to having to periodically reboot mainframe computers to "purge the baffles"; but this is getting a little... long in the tooth for me. I can't seem to go more than a few days without some warning light or error flagging. This most recent one happened with my husband in the truck, and he was... let's say "perplexed" ("Wadda mean you gotta reboot the truck?").

My husbands Tesla Model Y - nada. Nary a blip. Flawless. He gets near weekly OS updates and fixes; not quarterly or monthly. But that is a Tesla team of world-wide programmers, not a somewhat smaller Rivian team in (I would expect) Normal IL.

I'll just patiently wait.

I agree with your assessment except I am not as bothered by the software bugs. I think different builds with slightly different hardware may be the difference. My biggest "software" issue is PaaK, which is baffling because it was flawless until they added the key to the wallet. Maybe that isn't baffling at all. LOL. PaaK always lets me into the truck, but sometimes the key isn't recognized inside the truck. Whatever. Phone NFC works every time.

I love my truck and can't wait for Gen3. It should be out a year or so before my 3 year lease ends. And then I move on to an even better version of the best truck ever.

 

[virgnia_rivian]

First, I'm still a big investor with Rivian. Second, anyone can be on here whether you currently own or not.

To add to this, I’m an early adopter. We still have our R1T, which we picked up at the factory in 2022 and we’re buying an R2. I completely agree with your earlier comment that Rivian service sucks, still sucks, and in fact the people who answer the phone to open a new ticket are even worse now than they were three years ago.

There aren’t enough service centers for tens of thousands of R2’s. Rivian’s communication is still terrible.

But the vehicle, at least our R1, is still the best driving car we’ve owned.

 

[YumaRivian]

Took a test drive of the R2 in San Diego on Father’s Day. The test drive vehicle and the floor model both had glove boxes that would not stay shut and was actually duct-taped shut by the workers there. They passed it off side effects of heavy use, but it’s concerning for a car that’s only three weeks old at that point. Definitely was not a good look for a brand new car that they’re trying to sell.

 

[SwampNut]

Took a test drive of the R2 in San Diego on Father’s Day. The test drive vehicle and the floor model both had glove boxes that would not stay shut and was actually duct-taped shut by the workers there. They passed it off side effects of heavy use, but it’s concerning for a car that’s only three weeks old at that point. Definitely was not a good look for a brand new car that they’re trying to sell.

Reminds me of the loose panels on the Cybertruck we drove. And that test drive led us straight to Rivian.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Took a test drive of the R2 in San Diego on Father’s Day. The test drive vehicle and the floor model both had glove boxes that would not stay shut and was actually duct-taped shut by the workers there. They passed it off side effects of heavy use, but it’s concerning for a car that’s only three weeks old at that point. Definitely was not a good look for a brand new car that they’re trying to sell.

Seems to be a common issue that I hope is just limited to those early builds. Having seen them in person a few times now, gloveboxes staying open, the back of the seats coming apart and calibration issues with the frunk and rear glass button seem to be a reoccurring problem.

I'd assume Rivian is aware and is hopefully fixing this issue as we speak before ramping up delivery. We'll see. The good thing - none of this is really the end of the world IMO for the R2.

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