So you think your Rivian is a problem…?

[xnuywkr]

This is to put some Rivian issues into perspective. We’ve had our R1T since September 30, 2022 and now have 12,000 miles on it. We’ve had one screen issue, and 1 recall; otherwise, all good and extremely happy.
Contrast that with our 2021 Audi Q8. Since we’ve had it (over 40k miles) we’ve had 5 recalls (maybe 6; I lost count) and several issues. Recently, we had a doozy: we took it in for a fuel pump recall and the 40k service. It should have been a 1-day service. However, the service advisor called and said they heard a noise in the motor that they didn’t like and wanted to keep it another day. Then I got a call that they believe that the engine has a “fatal flaw” and they need to contact Audi engineers (not techs!) to diagnose the issue. The upshot is that there was a problem that they couldn’t fix and had to replace the engine! (See pic 1). Over $30,000, fully covered by warranty. About 2 weeks later we get the car back. My wife is driving it to a business meeting when a warning came on the dash. (See pic 2). She pulls over and calls the closest dealer and was told that they’re booked “putting new tires on cars” and can’t see her at all. She calls our dealer which was further away and said that she can bring it in but they don’t have loaners. But, they found one and she was able to get to her meeting. What was the issue you ask? It was a shredded hose to the turbos which was damaged when they installed the new engine. It was fixed but our trust in this car has been diminished.
So, while I get that we’ve all had some issues with our Rivian, even established cars have significant issues too.

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[Donald Stanfield]

I have also had more than one brand new ICE car that was complete and total garbage. Fortunately my Audi has been trouble free in the two years I've had it. I've had some mild issues with my R1 but nothing that wasn't promptly fixed and the truck is leaps and bounds better than any vehicle I've ever owned.

 

[DuoRivians]

When legacy oem have issues: “oh, it’s just normal business. It happens, no big deal.”

When startups like Rivian have issues: “I told you so! They’re a failure!”

 

[Killer95Stang]

When legacy oem have issues: “oh, it’s just normal business. It happens, no big deal.”

When startups like Rivian have issues: “I told you so! They’re a failure!”

I'm not sure why Rivian can't get an inch of slack, when companies like Range Rover and BMW built cars that literally fall apart right out of warranty. Great cars to lease, I guess.

Probably because of the wait for delivery and underperforming stock. I mean, at least Tesla does good even if they contually lie about delivery dates.

 

[DuoRivians]

I'm not sure why Rivian can't get an inch of slack, when companies like Range Rover and BMW built cars that literally fall apart right out of warranty. Great cars to lease, I guess.

Probably because of the wait for delivery and underperforming stock. I mean, at least Tesla does good even if they contually lie about delivery dates.

It’s not just Rivian. It’s a general phenomenon exhibited by rather risk adverse people. Change isn’t something that’s to be celebrated—incumbents represent stability and keeping things as is.

Overall, there are significantly more risk adverse people than risk “seeking” people, so you see this bias playing out.

Tesla also had its share of detractors all the way up to 2018-2019, I’d say.

 

[Killer95Stang]

It’s not just Rivian. It’s a general phenomenon exhibited by rather risk adverse people. Change isn’t something that’s to be celebrated—incumbents represent stability and keeping things as is.

Overall, there are significantly more risk adverse people than risk “seeking” people, so you see this bias playing out.

Tesla also had its share of detractors all the way up to 2018-2019, I’d say.

I agree almost 100%... but some of this is generational and maybe income related as well. I tend to find solutions, based on my upbringing, where I wasn't in the same income bracket as I am today. I pretty much have owned 10 - 15 Fords my entire life and kinda expected a certain amount of issues. Also, forums have evolved into places to vent, rather than a community to share common interests. That loud A/C thread is pretty much unreadable , because people are actually telling the OP to keep posting on every platform in order to shame Rivian into submission. Barf... just sell it and move on and let me enjoy my car.

 

[MGA]

There are tens of thousand vehicles in the process of selling, if every owner with a smallest issue rushes to the forum and creates a thread, all the forum will be flooded, plus there are many haters, who even may come with fake complaints to create perception. Maybe, one separate pinned thread should be opened for such posts to avoid spamming the forum?

 

[Riptide]

When legacy oem have issues: “oh, it’s just normal business. It happens, no big deal.”

When startups like Rivian have issues: “I told you so! They’re a failure!”

In all honesty, I expect there to be some issues and growing pains. I also expect consistent and quality service. It’s beginning to look like Rivian is struggling with both. I’m still betting on them improving before my 2024 reservation delivers.

 

[Jac]

I have to say I have never been more excited to pick up a new car than I am about getting my R1S in nine days. I also never waited anywhere close to how long I’ve been waiting to get this one. After so much time following this forum, I’m going into Rivian ownership with way more knowledge from other owners’ experiences than I ever had before from taking the keys to my past brand new: 1982 Honda, Oldsmobile wagon, Jeep Cherokee, Mercedes E diesel, Mercedes SL AMG, BMW 5 Series, Porsche (twice), Volvo (three of them), and (regrettably) a Peugeot.

I’m definitely excited. But I’m still planning to check the underbody bolt tightness as soon as I get it home. ?

 

[R1Tom]

I love my Rivian. Best vehicle I have ever owned as an all purpose do everything vehicle. Not the best at many individual things, but as an all arounder....simply amazing. Pushes into many other vehicle types/classes, so much....one could almost live with one vehicle.

I am sure the initial build quality consistency and service games will both improve.

I think what is causing a fair amount of internet posts regarding problems, is the current struggle some are having to get them corrected. Once that improves, as well as initial quality consistency and service capacity...then things will really calm down on the internet posts about problems.

 

[mgraziano1975]

I've had 3 Audis. My 2006 S4 Cabriolet was great. My 2009 S8 was great from 25k miles to 75k miles, then fell apart. My 2015 Q7 was terrible from the beginning. I basically lived with the Check engine light on. in 60k miles, they never figured out the problem, despite bringing it in frequently.

 

[QGessner]

This is to put some Rivian issues into perspective. We’ve had our R1T since September 30, 2022 and now have 12,000 miles on it. We’ve had one screen issue, and 1 recall; otherwise, all good and extremely happy.
Contrast that with our 2021 Audi Q8. Since we’ve had it (over 40k miles) we’ve had 5 recalls (maybe 6; I lost count) and several issues. Recently, we had a doozy: we took it in for a fuel pump recall and the 40k service. It should have been a 1-day service. However, the service advisor called and said they heard a noise in the motor that they didn’t like and wanted to keep it another day. Then I got a call that they believe that the engine has a “fatal flaw” and they need to contact Audi engineers (not techs!) to diagnose the issue. The upshot is that there was a problem that they couldn’t fix and had to replace the engine! (See pic 1). Over $30,000, fully covered by warranty. About 2 weeks later we get the car back. My wife is driving it to a business meeting when a warning came on the dash. (See pic 2). She pulls over and calls the closest dealer and was told that they’re booked “putting new tires on cars” and can’t see her at all. She calls our dealer which was further away and said that she can bring it in but they don’t have loaners. But, they found one and she was able to get to her meeting. What was the issue you ask? It was a shredded hose to the turbos which was damaged when they installed the new engine. It was fixed but our trust in this car has been diminished.
So, while I get that we’ve all had some issues with our Rivian, even established cars have significant issues too.

Totally agree. Our worst vehicle ever, a Jeep Grand Cherokee: New front AND rear axles, water pump (2x), new radiator, new master break cylinders, multiple computer failures, drivers window had to be replaced, etc. problem after problem. I am LOVING my R1T. Best vehicle I have ever owned hands down.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

For me it's more about whether the vehicle matches my expectations.

With Rivian I feel like a lot of aspects of it simply don't meet my expectations. I will say the list of things that don't meet my expectations are considerably less now than it was in the beginning through SW updates and service visits. So its trending towards meeting expectations.

Powertrain -> Motors are too loud, and the vehicle has had the tok noise since very early on in ownership. I also don't like the pedal response and wish there was a way to tweak it.

Suspension -> While the handling is generally good I find all the noises it makes to be rather irksome.

Body Quality -> I am happy with the fit and finish, but I feel like the body integrity is a bit weak. Like its just very easy to dent.

Driver+ -> Still isnt anywhere close to what was promised.

FM radio -> Complete garbage. Like I can't even use the steering wheel buttons to change my fav stations near my house because the reception is so bad. I have zero issues with my Jeep in the same location. I have to be a quarter of way to work before the stations come in to where it lets me change them from the steering wheel buttons.

Winter Range -> This is one where I feel like improvements can be made like a heat pump. But, it having lousy winter range is pretty typical for an EV. So even though I'm including this one I don't really hold it against Rivian. Just something I think they should focus attention on.

Overall I think my like of the vehicle will significantly rise when the tok issue is gone. I've owned a lot of vehicles in my life and I never had any tok issue at all. It's been in service repeatedly for it. The last time I had high hopes because there was a service bulletin for it, but it didn't fix it.

 

[Count Orlok]

Last summer I threw a rod in my 1971 Ford. Turns out the guy who rebuilt the 429PI didn;t use hardened pushrods. Now I worry he made other amateur mistakes somewhere below the heads.

Pushrods have been fine in my R1S (knock on dark ash wood)

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I loved working on my old cars from the 1960s and '70s, but if I never have to wrench on another old car again it would be too soon. Working on the increasingly complex fuel & emissions systems of newer ICE cars really turned me off to them. Good luck with yours. ??

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