by Rivian R1S Owner Concerned About Rear Door Safety
The owner of a Rivian R1S electric SUV encountered a serious problem related to the manual rear door opening mechanism. According to him, this mechanism broke during testing, and now access to it is practically impossible. This situation has raised concerns about passenger safety, especially children, who could become trapped in the event of an accident.
Comparison with Tesla Incident
The owner draws parallels with a past fatal incident involving jammed rear doors of a Tesla, which led to fatalities during a fire. This comparison highlights the potential risks that can arise from unreliable safety mechanisms in modern electric vehicles.
Decision to Sell the Vehicle
Due to fundamental safety issues, the owner’s family is considering selling the SUV. They are looking for a car with simpler and more reliable features that do not compromise passenger lives in emergency situations.
Testing the Emergency Exit
It all started with a simple test when the owner wanted to show his child how to get out from the back seat in an emergency. He tried to follow Rivian’s instructions: remove the door panel, find and pull the special cable for manual door opening. However, in practice, this turned out to be a complex and unreliable procedure.
The panel broke and cannot be restored without ordering a new part from a Rivian service center, and I couldn’t even find the cable. There is no chance that children would be able to figure this out if they had to.
Reaction from Other Owners
On Rivian-dedicated forums, many users share similar concerns about the rear door handles. One owner noted that even adult members of his family would not be able to remove the panels in a stressful situation. This indicates a systemic problem that requires attention from the manufacturer.
Prospects for Future Models
Rivian has already announced that the new R2 model will use a simplified door mechanism design. Many other electric vehicle manufacturers are also reviewing their safety approaches to ensure convenience and reliability for all users.
Posts from the rivian community on Reddit
This situation with the Rivian R1S raises an important question about how innovations in the automotive industry can sometimes contradict basic safety requirements. While electric vehicles offer advanced technologies such as high performance and environmental friendliness, they must also ensure that elementary functions, such as emergency exits, remain accessible and reliable for all passengers. The incident with the rear doors indicates the need for more thorough testing and consideration of real-world usage scenarios, especially when it comes to child safety. Future models like the R2 may correct these shortcomings, but for now, owners are forced to seek alternatives that meet their expectations.
