I Was Excited for My 2025 Rivian R1T TriMax, But Constant HVAC Failures Turned It Into a Nightmare

As an automotive journalist, I’ve seen my fair share of vehicle issues, but few things are as frustrating as a brand-new electric truck facing persistent failures. This evening, while strolling through the "RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion" group on Facebook, I came across a post by Robert DeSantis, a Rivian R1T owner whose excitement quickly turned into frustration due to repeated HVAC failures. His experience is not just about a malfunctioning truck, it’s about the challenges of modern EV technology and the importance of thorough diagnostics. Interestingly, some Rivian owners have even opted to switch brands due to reliability concerns, as detailed in this article about a Rivian R1T owner trading their truck for a Chevy Silverado EV.

Robert’s Story: A Dream Truck Turns Into a Service Nightmare

Robert picked up his 2025 Rivian R1T TriMax last week, and everything seemed perfect at first. However, soon after taking delivery, he noticed an unusual noise coming from the HVAC system. Concerned, he scheduled a service appointment. The dealership replaced the compressor, and initially, it seemed like the problem was resolved. However, the relief was short-lived. That evening, he received a Thermal System Fault, and the truck lost all heat. Frustrated, he took it back for service, where they replaced the compressor again and tested it for 30 minutes before returning the truck to him.

“The heat was working when I picked it up,” Robert explains. “But just 10 minutes down the road, the Thermal System Fault appeared again, and the heat stopped working.”

What’s Causing This Persistent HVAC Failure?

This is where things get tricky. Robert isn’t alone in his frustrations, other Rivian owners chimed in under his post, offering insights into what might be going wrong. Aaron, one of the commenters, made a crucial point: “Something is causing the compressor to fail; they're treating the symptom rather than addressing the root cause. Unfortunately, this can happen when diagnosing issues. If you emphasize to them, 'Find what's causing the compressor to fail, don't just replace it and return it,' it should make it clearer that they need to perform more thorough diagnostics this time.”

Robert later updated the thread, explaining what the Rivian service center told him: “They said the first compressor failed due to a lack of oil, and the second one had a gasket leak, which I assume was an assembly issue when it was replaced. I have the regional service manager involved, and their customer service has been great. However, they still haven't gotten to the root of the problem.”

Another commenter, Tommy, added his thoughts: “A coolant leak or a stuck solenoid usually causes that. Is there any visible fluid anywhere?”

It’s clear that the issue is more than just a bad compressor; it’s a systemic failure that requires a deeper diagnostic approach.

A Pattern of Rivian’s Growing Pains?

This isn’t the first time Rivian owners have reported frustrating reliability issues. Many owners have documented their struggles with the brand’s early software and hardware teething problems. For instance, in a related Torque News article, an R1T owner described how their truck unexpectedly rebooted while merging onto the highway, a concerning issue that raises questions about the vehicle’s stability.

Another article highlights problems with Rivian’s autonomous driving system, showcasing how software-related shortcomings still plague the brand despite its high-tech reputation.

With Robert’s HVAC issue, it’s evident that Rivian still needs to refine its diagnostic and repair procedures. Replacing the same part multiple times without solving the underlying issue is not a long-term solution.

My Opinion on Rivian’s Handling of This Issue

As an automotive journalist, I follow EV brands closely, and I believe Rivian has enormous potential, but stories like Robert’s show that they still have a long way to go. The biggest issue I see here is not just the HVAC failure itself, but how Rivian is handling the repairs. Simply swapping out parts repeatedly without diagnosing the root cause is not the way a premium automaker should operate. This kind of service approach is what turns brand loyalists into skeptics. Customers spend upwards of $80,000 on these trucks, expecting cutting-edge technology and solid reliability, but when basic functions like climate control start failing, it shakes confidence in the product.

Moreover, I think Rivian’s service network needs to step up its game. We’ve seen Tesla go through similar growing pains, but they at least have years of experience learning how to improve customer service. Rivian, being a newer company, should learn from Tesla’s mistakes rather than repeat them. I also believe that customer feedback should drive Rivian’s development process, issues like these should be openly acknowledged, and there should be a dedicated team investigating and solving these systemic failures before they reach multiple customers. If Rivian wants to survive in the long term, they need to prioritize reliability and service efficiency. Owners shouldn’t have to go through an entire community of enthusiasts to get better diagnostics than what the official service center provides.

What Can Be Done? Lessons for Rivian and Future Owners

Robert’s story isn’t just a one-off inconvenience; it’s a warning sign for both Rivian and its customers. Here’s what needs to happen:

1. Thorough Diagnostics Over Quick Fixes – Replacing the compressor repeatedly suggests that Rivian’s service centers need to perform deeper inspections rather than applying quick fixes. Owners like Robert should demand more thorough explanations from service techs.
2. Better Component Quality Control – If the first compressor failed due to lack of oil and the second had a gasket leak, this could indicate a manufacturing defect. Rivian should ensure stricter quality control for essential HVAC components.
3. Improved Customer Communication – While Robert praised Rivian’s customer service, it’s clear that they still haven’t fully addressed his problem. More transparency regarding repair timelines and root cause analysis would go a long way.
4. Community Support and Shared Knowledge – As seen in the Facebook discussion, owners are helping each other diagnose issues. Rivian should tap into this collective knowledge and work more closely with its customer base to track recurring problems.

Final Thoughts: The Moral of the Story

If there’s one lesson to take from Robert’s experience, it’s this: Don’t settle for surface-level fixes. If your vehicle keeps experiencing the same failure, push for a deeper investigation. Whether it’s a Rivian, Tesla, or any other EV, service centers can sometimes miss the forest for the trees, focusing on short-term solutions rather than addressing the real issue.

At the end of the day, buying an EV, especially one from a newer automaker, means accepting some level of risk. But manufacturers also need to step up and ensure their service departments are properly diagnosing and resolving issues the first time.

Have You Experienced Similar Issues?

1. If you own a Rivian R1T or another EV, have you ever faced a repeated failure that service couldn’t seem to fix? How did you handle it?
2. Do you think new EV brands should be given more leeway for reliability issues, or should they be held to the same standards as legacy automakers?

Please let us know 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.