2024 Rivian R1S issues in California: the short version

What owners report and your basic rights

Some 2024 Rivian R1S owners report software glitches, charging faults, sensor errors, suspension noises, fit-and-finish defects, and infotainment reboots.

California’s lemon law and Rivian’s warranties may require more repairs, a replacement, or a buyback if the issues aren’t fixed after reasonable attempts.

Act early: document every visit, keep screenshots of warnings, and open a case with Rivian through the app.

  • Common symptoms: charging failures, phantom alerts, panel alignment, door/seat issues, 12V or HV battery warnings.
  • Not every R1S is affected, but you must document your individual defect history.
  • Rivian warranty: generally 5yr/60,000-mile basic; 8yr battery/drive unit (mileage terms vary)—check your booklet.
  1. Use the Rivian app to schedule service and save all repair orders.
  2. Photograph dash warnings and note date, mileage, and weather/charging conditions.
  3. Ask the advisor to note your safety concerns on each repair order.

Who may qualify under California’s lemon law

Key facts that matter for an R1S owner

California’s Song‑Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers new and certain used/leased vehicles sold or registered in CA that are under the manufacturer’s warranty.

The law presumes a lemon within 18 months or 18,000 miles if certain thresholds are met, but you can still win outside that window based on the full repair history.

Modifications, abuse, or accidents unrelated to the defect can limit coverage.

  • Covered: new or demonstrator vehicles; used vehicles still under Rivian’s new-vehicle warranty.
  • Notice: you must give Rivian a reasonable number of chances to fix the same defect.
  • Safety defects get fewer attempts; non-safety issues usually require more.
  • Keep a running total of days out of service for repairs.
  1. Check if you have 4+ repair attempts for the same issue.
  2. Or 2+ attempts for a defect likely to cause serious injury or death.
  3. Or 30+ total days out of service for warranty repairs within 18 months/18,000 miles.

How California law and remedies work

Buyback, replacement, and what you could recover

If your R1S qualifies, Rivian must offer a replacement or a repurchase (buyback). You can also recover incidental costs like towing, rental, or rideshare tied to the defect.

A civil penalty up to two times actual damages may apply for willful violations, and California’s fee‑shifting rules can require Rivian to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees if you win.

Arbitration may be available but is not required before filing a lemon law case. Deadlines apply, so don’t wait.

  • Remedies: repair, replacement, or buyback (less a mileage offset).
  • Incidental damages: towing, rental, lodging, charging costs linked to the defect.
  • Timeline: generally up to 4 years from the warranty breach—consult an attorney about your specific deadline.
  1. Mileage offset formula often used in CA: purchase price × (miles at first repair attempt ÷ 120,000).
  2. Replacement vehicle must be substantially identical and warranty continues.
  3. Buyback typically includes down payment, monthly payments made, tax, title, and license, minus the mileage offset.

How to file: step-by-step for California owners

From first complaint to a formal lemon law claim

Start with Rivian service and create a paper trail. After reasonable repair attempts or extended days out of service, escalate with a written buyback or replacement demand.

If unresolved, consider state‑certified arbitration (if available), small claims for limited amounts, or a lemon law action in Superior Court.

  • Where to contact Rivian: in‑app Support, service center, or 855‑748‑4265.
  • Send your demand to the address/email in your warranty booklet and through the app for confirmation.
  • File a safety complaint with NHTSA for recurring safety‑related defects.
  1. Document: save repair orders, photos, videos, and app screenshots of fault messages.
  2. Open/continue a case through the Rivian app; request written findings after each visit.
  3. After repeated failures, send a written buyback/replacement demand referencing the California lemon law and include a 10–15 business day response deadline.
  4. Attach copies of purchase/lease agreement, registration, warranty, repair orders, and a defect timeline.
  5. Check California’s Arbitration Certification Program to see if Rivian offers a certified program; arbitration is optional.
  6. File an NHTSA complaint at nhtsa.gov if the issue impacts safety (brakes, steering, battery/thermal events).
  7. If the dispute is under $10,000, consider California small claims court; otherwise consult a lemon law attorney about filing in Superior Court.
  8. If you sue, preserve the vehicle and do not reset logs; your lawyer will guide expert inspections and discovery.

Common mistakes that hurt California lemon claims

Easy pitfalls to avoid with the R1S

Small errors can delay or sink a claim. Be systematic and keep everything in writing.

Make sure every symptom is described clearly on each repair order.

  • Relying only on phone calls or app chats—follow up with email and keep PDFs.
  • Letting OTA updates wipe evidence—screenshot software versions and warnings before updating.
  • Refusing a final repair attempt after you demand a buyback—give a reasonable last opportunity.
  • Aftermarket modifications that relate to the defect—remove or disclose and document timing.
  • Missing the 18‑month/18,000‑mile presumption window—keep going; you may still qualify.
  1. Confirm the concern and your safety fears are written on the work order before you sign.
  2. Track total days out of service; ask for loaners and keep receipts.
  3. Save a single PDF bundle of all records and back it up to cloud storage.

What to prepare before requesting help

A clean file speeds up buyback or settlement

Organize your evidence so Rivian or a lawyer can quickly verify your claim.

Clear, chronological records are your best leverage.

  • Purchase/lease contract, registration, and warranty booklet.
  • All repair orders, tow records, loaner/rental invoices, and charging receipts tied to the defect.
  • Timeline of defects: date, mileage, conditions, software version, and charger type (for charging issues).
  • Photos/videos of warnings, error codes, and any physical defects.
  • Written communications with Rivian (emails, case numbers, app messages exported to PDF).
  1. Create a defect log spreadsheet with date, mileage, symptom, action taken, and days out of service.
  2. Export app chats and service visit summaries as PDFs and label them by date.
  3. Calculate your potential mileage offset using the first repair-attempt mileage.
  4. Prepare a short, factual cover letter summarizing the issue, repair attempts, and your requested remedy (buyback or replacement).