My First-Ever Rivian Test Drive Ended With a Dead R1S, Grinding Noises, and a Tow Truck, Should I Keep My R2 Reservation?

Internal combustion engines are a marvel of engineering, but they’re also a tired, oily relic. A million parts are waiting to wear out, leak, or grenade themselves on your morning commute. Electric cars, on the other hand, are whisper-quiet assassins: minimal parts, maximum torque, and none of the greasy chaos. Statistically and practically, EVs are proving to be more reliable than their gas-powered ancestors, as reported in Consumer Reports and J.D. Power’s latest findings. 

EVs vs. ICE: Quiet Power or Greasy Chaos?

But when something goes wrong, it doesn’t cough or chug; it dies suddenly and completely. Just ask the guy who took his wife out to test-drive a Rivian R1S.

Here’s his experience, straight from the r/Rivian subreddit, unedited and unfiltered:

“So I have my R2 reservation from March 24. Took the wife to demo-drive the R1S to check it out and get our feet wet in Rivian. Not even 2 miles into the drive the vehicle took a shit. All power was lost, electrical warning message, pull over, while a loud grinding/breaking noise from the rear end went on. Coasted to a parking lot and called the 800 number. Had to wait a good amount of time before someone answered and they had us reset the vehicle. Still a no-go. They contacted the local dealership to come pick us up.

I’m not sure how I feel about this. While we want an electric vehicle, having the demo vehicle take a shit on us was probably the worst first impression you can get. Not being able to connect directly with our dealership is always not my favorite thing. Is this a one-off or….? We are close to a dealer but don’t want a vehicle that’s being paid for having to be wrenched on all the time.”

Demo Disaster: Rivian R1S Test Drive Breakdown

Now, that’s a rough first date. You don't expect your test drive to turn into a breakdown scene from a Coen Brothers film. And when the “grinding/breaking noise from the rear end” rolls in like the soundtrack to a horror flick, you're not evaluating legroom anymore; you’re wondering if the return policy applies to your deposit.

This wasn't some cranky used Sentra with 180k miles, it was a flagship electric SUV from a brand that’s practically synonymous with EV reliability and innovation. So what happened?

Rivian R1S Features: Performance, Specs, & Off‑Road Prowess

• The R1S is an all-electric, seven-passenger SUV equipped with four independent electric motors, delivering a combined output of 835 horsepower. This configuration enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 3 seconds. ​
• Designed for both on-road and off-road adventures, the R1S offers a ground clearance of up to 14.5 inches, adjustable via its air suspension system. It can wade through water up to 3 feet deep and handle a 45-degree incline, making it suitable for rugged terrains. ​
• The R1S provides seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. With the second and third rows folded down, it offers a total enclosed cargo volume of 104 cubic feet, along with a front trunk ("frunk") that adds 11.1 cubic feet of lockable storage. ​

To be fair, demo vehicles live rough lives. They are poked, prodded, floored, and manhandled by curious shoppers and influencer wannabes who treat throttle pedals like light switches. It’s not uncommon for these cars to suffer quiet abuse and accumulate invisible damage long before their first scheduled maintenance. So maybe this R1S was an overworked unit with battle scars. Maybe it was a freak hardware failure. Maybe someone tried to do a tank turn behind the service bay. But none of that matters to a buyer whose only real-world encounter with Rivian ended with a tow truck and a sour taste.

And yet, stories like this are the exception, not the rule. Rivian owners, especially on r/Rivian, tend to be fiercely loyal, verging on evangelical. Scroll the subreddit, and you’ll find tales of flawless road trips, lightning-fast service, and support teams that respond like an F1 pit crew. Even with early teething issues, Rivian has avoided the nightmare QC headlines that Tesla wore like a badge of honor in its early years. A dead demo car is a stumble but not a pattern, at least not yet.

Rivian R2 Overview: Affordable EV Innovation

• The Rivian R2 is a smaller, more affordable electric SUV compared to the R1S, with a starting price of around $45,000. It measures approximately 185.6 inches in length, 75 inches in width, and 66.9 inches in height, making it more maneuverable in urban settings. ​
• Unlike the R1S, the R2 is designed with two rows of seating, accommodating up to five passengers. It addresses previous storage concerns by including two glove boxes and allows both first and second-row seats to fold flat, providing ample cargo space suitable for activities like camping. ​
• While specific performance metrics are yet to be fully disclosed, the R2 is expected to offer a driving range of approximately 300 miles on a single charge. It will feature all-wheel drive capabilities, ensuring competent handling across various driving conditions.

Still, there’s something off about demoing the R1S when your reservation is for the upcoming R2, a completely different class of vehicle, price point, and design philosophy. The R1S is a $90,000 all-electric luxury tank. The R2? A leaner, cheaper, friendlier crossover with a starting price aimed at the middle class. Driving an R1S to evaluate the R2 is like taking a helicopter ride to decide if you want to buy a bicycle. Sure, it gives you a taste of brand DNA, but it also risks misalignment of expectations. Especially if that DNA is screaming in pain from the rear axle two miles into the drive.

Service Disconnect: When EV Support Falls Short

What’s troubling here isn’t just the mechanical failure; it’s the disjointed service experience. That 800-number purgatory, the long wait for help, the feeling of being stranded while no one at the local dealer picks up the phone. That’s the kind of disconnect that haunts legacy automakers, not startups boasting software-first philosophies. If Rivian wants to compete with Tesla or exceed it, it has to do better than "please hold." In the age of app-based service and push-button support, nobody wants to be left in a parking lot listening to hold music.

Reservation Dilemma: Trusting Your EV Purchase

So, should he keep the R2 reservation? That’s the million-dollar question, and frankly, who could blame him if he didn’t? When your first real-world Rivian moment involves failure and frustration, it’s hard to trust the promise of a future product, no matter how great the renders look. But this is also a test for Rivian. Every car company stumbles. The good ones own it, fix it fast, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. If Rivian can turn this one sour note into a symphony of customer recovery, the R2 could still be worth waiting for.

Because in the end, this isn’t just about one R1S dying on a demo route, it’s about the theater of trust that every automaker builds with every interaction. Electric cars are more reliable. The data says it. The engineering supports it. But the moment they fail, they do so with silence and finality, and that silence echoes louder than any blown head gasket. Rivian, take the stage. We’re watching.

Image Sources: r/Rivian, Rivian Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.