I Just Got a Rivian R1S and Noticed a Clicking Sound, Suggesting a Potential Issue Other Owners Have Experienced Before

This evening, I was scrolling through the "RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion" group on Facebook when I came across an interesting post from Rivian R1S owner Georgeann Franks. Georgeann had just taken delivery of his new Rivian R1S and noticed something odd a clicking sound accompanied by slight pedal feedback when accelerating or slowing down. He mentioned that he hadn’t noticed this issue during his two-day demo of the vehicle. When he brought it up with the delivery team, they assured him that it was likely normal but offered to open a service ticket just in case. Curious whether other owners had experienced the same thing, Georgeann turned to the Rivian owner community to get more insight.

“I just got my new Rivian R1S and noticed a clicking sound with slight pedal feedback when accelerating or slowing down. I didn’t experience this issue during my two-day demo, and the delivery team says it’s likely normal but offered to open a service ticket. While I wait for them to check, I wanted to see if any other owners have had a similar experience. It doesn’t seem quite normal to me,” wrote Georgeann in his post.

Other Rivian Owners Chime In

It didn’t take long for other Rivian R1S owners to respond. Several chimed in, sharing similar experiences with their vehicles.

Kelly Estrada commented, “If it’s the same thing that happens with mine, I assumed it has to do with the one-pedal driving. I have mine set to 'Hold' as well (though I’m not sure if 'Creep' is an option, it is on our Lucid), and I figured that’s why it happens. It doesn’t bother me, though.”

David Wilkie Owen had a slightly different take: “I have the same thing. I've been driving mine for 2 1/2 months now and it is still doing it. I think it has to do with the brake coming off when you leave a light or maneuvering in the driveway. I find it very irritating, but not harmful. One of a few quirks that I'm getting used to with the R1S, but I have to tell you the more I drive this thing, the more I love it.”

Patricio Gamboa added valuable insight after taking his R1S to the service center: “I noticed the same thing. The service center said it was normal and explained, 'This noise is caused by the brake booster loading up, putting pressure on the push rod, which causes a faint click. This is a normal condition as part of brake regeneration.'”

Understanding the Clicking Sound

From the responses, it’s evident that many Rivian R1S owners have encountered this phenomenon. Based on Patricio’s explanation from the service center, it appears to be related to the brake booster and regenerative braking system. But why does this happen?

Rivian’s electric vehicles use regenerative braking to recapture energy when slowing down, which helps extend range and reduce wear on traditional friction brakes. The clicking sound, accompanied by pedal feedback, is likely a mechanical response from the brake booster engaging and disengaging as part of this process.

This behavior isn’t unique to Rivian. Other electric vehicles, including Teslas and Lucid Airs, have been reported to exhibit similar noises. However, the intensity and consistency of the clicking seem to vary from one vehicle to another.

For more on what it’s like to drive a Rivian R1S, check out this deep dive into the driving experience.

Should You Be Concerned?

If you’re an R1S owner experiencing this clicking sound, there’s good news: it appears to be normal and not indicative of a mechanical failure. However, if the noise worsens over time, becomes excessively loud, or is accompanied by unexpected braking performance issues, it might be worth having a Rivian service technician inspect it further.

For those who are new to the Rivian ecosystem, getting accustomed to quirks like this can be part of the learning curve. The Rivian R1S has already been praised for its comfort and performance, as highlighted in this real-world 2,929-mile road trip experience, proving that small quirks don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of owning the vehicle.

A Lesson for New Owners

This discussion highlights an important takeaway for new Rivian R1S owners: every vehicle, especially a technologically advanced one like the R1S, comes with its own set of quirks. Being an early adopter means embracing the learning process and leveraging community knowledge to understand what’s normal and what might require attention.

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the R1S is to engage with other owners. Whether it’s discussing minor quirks like this clicking sound or diving into deeper topics like R1S charging mishaps, these shared experiences can provide reassurance and practical solutions.

If you're considering an R1S and wondering about features like the premium sound system, check out this review on whether the 4K premium sound upgrade is worth it.

Final Thoughts

The clicking sound reported by Georgeann and other Rivian R1S owners seems to be a normal part of the vehicle’s regenerative braking system. While it may take some getting used to, it doesn’t appear to be a defect or cause for concern.

If you’re experiencing this issue, take comfort in knowing that many other owners have noticed the same thing. However, if you feel something isn’t quite right, it’s always a good idea to check with Rivian’s service team for peace of mind.

Have you experienced a clicking sound in your Rivian R1S? Do you find it annoying, or have you accepted it as part of the driving experience?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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.