A 2024 Rivian R1S purchased new from a dealership in Venice, California, soon developed multiple issues that caused significant frustration for its owner. After purchasing the vehicle, the owner reported a variety of ongoing problems that resulted in repeated service visits at Rivian’s Eastvale location. The issues ranged from unusual noises during acceleration and braking to door handle rattles and inconsistent battery range, which ultimately led to a successful lemon law buyback.
The problems began with a clicking sound when accelerating or braking, but initial inspections failed to replicate the noise. Additional concerns included a metal-on-metal sound during turns, misalignment of the hood, wind noise from the passenger door, and alignment issues with the door. Rivian conducted several inspections and made several different adjustments, however, some of the concerns our client had were deemed normal by the manufacturer, such as noise from the vehicle’s hydraulic dampeners and minor fitment flexibility in the fascia.
As time passed, the owner continued to report problems, including poor air conditioning performance and a battery range that never reached the expected 400 miles—peaking instead at 380 miles. Rivian attempted to resolve the issues by recalibrating the HVAC system and replacing the faulty steering wheel to address vibrations. However, despite these efforts, the problems persisted, including a crackling noise during cruise control use and a rightward pull in the vehicle’s alignment.
Over several service visits, Rivian confirmed that many of the reported issues were either normal vehicle characteristics or linked to environmental factors. Nonetheless, the persistent nature of the concerns, coupled with the significant amount of time the vehicle spent in the shop (over 59 days), led the owner to pursue further action under California’s lemon law. The extended downtime and unresolved mechanical issues qualified the vehicle for repurchase.
With the assistance of the Lemon Law Experts, the owner successfully negotiated a buyback with Rivian, resulting in a full refund for the defective vehicle and reimbursement for legal fees. Under California’s lemon law, vehicles that have repeated unresolved defects within a specific period may be deemed lemons and are eligible for a buyback or replacement.
If you are facing ongoing issues with your vehicle, the Lemon Law Experts are here to help. Since 2009, we’ve been helping California drivers navigate lemon law cases and secure favorable outcomes. Contact us for a free consultation today and let us guide you through your legal options toward a successful resolution.
