by Unexpected Rivian R1T Breakdown
Electric vehicles are often seen as a symbol of the future, but the reality of operation sometimes turns out to be harsh. The Rivian R1T received a lot of positive reviews after its market launch, but simultaneously, reports are appearing about reliability issues and ambiguous service experience.
A recent incident with a Rivian owner in the US clearly demonstrates the risks that electric vehicle buyers may face. According to the driver, his nine-month-old R1T suddenly locked up while driving within the neighborhood, forcing him to call a tow truck. He shared his impressions on Reddit, expressing doubts about the vehicle’s reliability and the manufacturer’s response to such situations.
Incident Details
The owner said that during braking, the car suddenly stopped, the wheels locked up, and the entire structure began to shake. Soon, the car itself shifted into neutral mode, and all possible warning lights lit up on the instrument panel. The problems didn’t end there — sharply smelling smoke began to enter the cabin from under the center console.
What made it even worse was that the driver had to remain inside the car because releasing the brake pedal could cause the Rivian to start moving backward. This created additional danger and a stressful situation.
The incident seriously affected the owner’s psychological state. He pondered what could have happened if a similar breakdown had occurred on a highway, especially with other road users present. “I could have crashed into someone! I can no longer trust this car. I wouldn’t allow my family to be in it,” he wrote in his post.
Towing Difficulties
The process of towing the car also turned out to be stressful. The owner decided to use an insurance service to transport the R1T to a Rivian service center, but a company representative gave him a five-minute lecture about how he should have contacted the manufacturer directly.
According to the driver, he was forced to listen to the reprimands while his foot was on the brake, the door was open for ventilation, and he was trying to gesture to other drivers to go around him. Fortunately, people stopped and offered help.
Hard experience with the R1T – will never choose Rivian again
byu/lekun inRivian
At the time of the original post’s publication, the owner had not provided updates on the condition of his electric vehicle or reported whether Rivian had diagnosed the causes of the breakdown. If the description corresponds to reality, the R1T likely suffered a serious mechanical or electrical failure that rendered it immobile.
Such cases may indicate that even innovative technologies need time for refinement. Although electric vehicles offer numerous advantages, these stories remind us of the importance of reliability and service quality. For many drivers, safety remains a priority, and such situations can affect overall trust in new brands and technologies in the automotive industry.
