800 Miles In, My Rivian R1T Already Lost Its Rear Motor And Gone Into Turtle Mode, Now I’m Hoping The Service Center Can Save It

I was doing what I usually do in the evening, scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook, half expecting to see cool mods, scenic road trip pics, or another flawless delivery story. But instead, I stumbled on something that made me stop. Michael Kerr’s post wasn’t about enjoying his new R1T or raving about a new update. It was about his truck breaking down just one month and 800 miles into ownership.

And not just a minor hiccup. We’re talking turtle mode, a dead rear motor, ride height and drive mode failures, and a trip straight to the Melrose Park service center.

Here’s what Michael had to say: “One month in and 800 miles after switching from a Tesla, I’m already experiencing major issues with my Rivian R1T. I can’t adjust the ride height or change drive modes, and the truck suddenly went into turtle mode. The rear motor stopped working entirely, leaving only the front motor active, so I just dropped it off at the Melrose Park service center for service.”

Yikes. That’s a tough situation. You leave one EV brand and put your trust into another, and instead of enjoying what many consider one of the best electric trucks on the market, you’re suddenly stranded and stuck hoping the service team can work some magic.

So, What Happened Here?

Let’s break this down for anyone who might not speak “EV” fluently. When Michael says the truck went into turtle mode, that means the R1T detected a critical issue, likely with the rear motor, and decided to protect itself by limiting speed, torque, and functionality. Think of it like limp mode in a gas-powered car, except your $90,000 electric truck now feels like it’s trying to crawl home.

Then there’s the rear motor failure. That’s a big one. The R1T either comes in Dual-Motor or Quad-Motor form, depending on your configuration. In either case, losing one motor knocks out half of the drivetrain. That affects performance, traction, off-road ability, and overall drivability. Michael's truck was now essentially front-wheel drive only. Not ideal.

He also couldn’t adjust the ride height or switch drive modes, both of which are hallmarks of Rivian’s tech-forward approach. The R1T’s air suspension and drive mode selector are what make it so adaptable, from rugged trails to smooth city roads. Take those away, and you’re left with a compromised machine.

Community Reactions: Been There, Fixed That

What stood out even more than the issue itself was how many Rivian owners jumped into the comments to share advice, encouragement, and even their own war stories. This is what makes the EV world different, it’s still small, still personal, and owners feel more like beta testers than consumers sometimes.

Aaron jumped in with a brutally honest comparison between EVs and traditional gas-powered cars: “It’ll be good as new in a week or so, but what really stands out in the EV vs. ICE comparison is this: an ICE vehicle can suffer dozens of failures and still keep running, while an EV tends to shut down completely when something goes wrong.”

He’s not wrong. While EVs have fewer moving parts, they’re so dependent on software and sensors that one misfire can take down the entire system.

Bakari chimed in with some first-hand experience and a bit of hope: “I had a similar issue with mine, it turned out to be a faulty sensor calibration. It was fixed under warranty and took about a week. The truck has been perfect ever since.”

And San brought in some perspective that’s probably where a lot of owners are mentally right now: “Issues are inevitable in any car sometimes there are fewer problems, and other times there are more. What's important is having a company that stands behind its product and resolves issues without causing too much stress. My Rivian is nearly three years old and has experienced a mix of minor and major issues over the years, all of which were resolved under warranty. The lingering question remains: what happens after the warranty expires? Hopefully, these vehicles will continue to improve, with fewer components needing replacement and a reduction in software problems.”

My Opinion as a Young Automotive Journalist

Here’s the thing, stories like this don’t scare me away from Rivian. If anything, they make me respect the ownership journey even more. When I test-drive or report on EVs, I try to look at them not just as machines but as living, evolving tech ecosystems. We’re no longer just talking about engines and tires. We’re talking about firmware, software updates, cloud diagnostics, and motors communicating with dozens of systems in real-time.

Yes, it’s frustrating when things go wrong. But if we’re honest, that’s part of buying into any cutting-edge tech product. The difference is: are you willing to ride out the growing pains? I’ve written about people who said they’d never own an EV, only to find themselves loving their R1T. Others have driven 180,000 miles in a Tesla without home charging and are now looking at Rivian as their next step. These trucks aren’t just transportation, they’re experiments, experiences, and conversations on wheels.

When Things Go Wrong, What Comes Next?

Michael's truck is now in the hands of Rivian’s Melrose Park service center, and based on other owners’ experiences, there's a good chance the issue will be diagnosed and resolved under warranty. We’ve seen stories where even serious issues, like HVAC nightmares in early trims or vehicles stuck in Tow Mode after a software update, were eventually handled with solid service support.

But this story also adds to the chorus of concerns around long-term reliability and post-warranty ownership. It’s a real question: when the warranty runs out, will Rivian parts, software updates, and service costs remain accessible and fair?

And how about efficiency? Even owners who’ve driven 100,000 miles sometimes realize they’re not getting the range they expected. Or they end up stuck in the mud during a simple camping trip, discovering that adventure vehicles still have limits.

But that’s what makes this all so interesting. If you're driving a Rivian today, your part of a movement. It's not perfect. It’s not always smooth. But it's real.

Final Thoughts: The Lesson Here

Michael’s post might sound like a warning, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity for Rivian to prove that they’re not just building great trucks but standing behind them when things get tough. Whether it’s a faulty sensor, a bad motor, or just an unlucky glitch, what matters most is how it’s handled.

If Rivian can resolve this issue quickly and keep Michael feeling like a valued owner, then the brand earns more than a sale; they earn trust. And that’s what keeps people coming back, even after setbacks.

Let’s Keep This Conversation Going

Have you ever had a major issue with your EV early in ownership?
Do you think stories like Michael’s make Rivian look fragile, or do they prove the brand is still learning and growing?

Drop a comment and let’s talk about it.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.