The Newest Rivian R1T Update Left Me in Turtle Mode With No Rear Drive, Low Ride Height, and Missing Features Like Adaptive Cruise

Last night, while winding down with a scroll through the RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion group on Facebook, I stumbled on a post that immediately caught my attention. It was short, punchy, and packed with frustration, the kind of post you could tell was written by someone who’d just hit a wall.

The poster was Nickolas Haustein, and his Rivian R1T had just gone through the latest software update. But instead of walking away with cool new features, he walked straight into a mess of missing functions and warning lights. “Newest update is great. Stuck in turtle mode, low ride height, no adaptive cruise, and no rear-wheel drive. Already tried full reset, and service shows the soonest available appointment is July 14th,” Nickolas shared bluntly.

If you've ever driven a Rivian, you already know this isn’t some minor annoyance. Losing rear drive, being stuck in turtle mode, and riding around with no adaptive cruise control is like getting a flat tire on all four corners, digitally. And having to wait until mid-July to fix it? That just adds insult to injury.

From OTA to SOS: When Updates Go Wrong

Rivian’s over-the-air updates are designed to improve the vehicle over time, just like how Tesla has set the bar in the EV world. But lately, Rivian owners are starting to realize that with every software update comes a roll of the dice.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen something go sideways. Earlier this year, I covered a story where a Rivian R1T lost its rear motor and entered turtle mode after only 800 miles. That wasn’t just an isolated glitch, it raised serious questions about long-term reliability and the confidence owners should have in these trucks.

And just recently, a longtime Tesla driver who traded his 100,000-mile Model 3 for a Rivian R1T found himself in the middle of a strange interaction with another Tesla driver on the freeway. But beyond that story’s drama, it highlighted the mindset shift that comes with switching to Rivian, expecting adventure-ready hardware, but not necessarily prepared for software missteps.

Community Support: Still Strong, Still Frustrated

The best part of any EV community is how quickly people rally to help. After Nickolas posted his issue, other Rivian owners began chiming in with advice, sympathy, and even a few workarounds.

One of the most helpful comments came from Brett: “When you speak with service, these types of issues are usually prioritized for an earlier appointment. They do not publish all of their availability in the app.”

This is a gold nugget of wisdom for anyone staring down a six-week wait in the Rivian app. Just because the app tells you mid-July, doesn’t mean there isn’t a sooner slot. Calling your service center directly and explaining that your truck is crippled can sometimes move you up the list.

It’s a reminder that technology may run these trucks, but people still run the service department, and knowing how to talk to them can make all the difference.

Déjà Vu for Some Owners

Nickolas’s experience sounds eerily similar to what another Rivian owner went through after they attempted what seemed like a perfect tire swap, only to end up battling a stubborn settings menu and software that wouldn’t cooperate.

And if we’re being honest, these stories are becoming more and more common. From drivetrain hiccups to HVAC issues, owners are starting to feel like they’re beta testers, just with a much higher buy-in price.

One particularly gut-punching example came from an R1T Trimax owner who was thrilled at first, only to experience constant HVAC failures that turned the whole ownership experience into a headache. That truck wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was practically unusable in extreme weather.

Living with Software-Defined Vehicles

This is the crossroads where we find ourselves today: living with vehicles that are defined by software, not just engineering. And it’s not just a Rivian thing. Tesla’s been in this space for years. Ford’s trying to figure it out. GM, Hyundai, and others are all chasing the same software dream. But the transition from traditional auto manufacturing to Silicon Valley-style updates isn't smooth, and Rivian’s learning that the hard way.

Rivian owners expect some bumps in the road. They understand this is a new company, taking on a massive challenge. But as updates become more frequent, and issues like Nickolas’s become more visible, the goodwill starts to wear thin.

And when those issues affect core driving systems? It’s no longer just a learning curve, it’s a real liability.

When the Waiting Game Feels Like a Wall

Let’s not gloss over the real kicker in Nickolas’s post: that July 14th service appointment. That’s not a little delay; that’s practically two months of limping along in a neutered truck. And as Nickolas mentioned, he already tried the full reset, so there’s no magic button to bring things back.

This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about ownership confidence. Because if a software update can sideline your $80K+ truck, and service can’t see you for weeks, that starts to look more like a risk than a lifestyle.

That’s exactly what one owner is grappling with after they shared that their R1S takes over an hour to charge at Level 3 stations and now they’re stuck waiting a month for service without a home charger. The lack of support infrastructure and delayed help is turning EV freedom into EV fatigue.

What You Can Do If This Happens to You

If your Rivian ever ends up in a similar situation, whether it’s post-update turtle mode or some mysterious error, here are some immediate steps that could save you weeks of frustration:

1. Try a full reset. Always the first move, even if it feels redundant. It’s surprising how often this still works.

2. Call Rivian Support directly. Don’t trust the app’s appointment availability. Real humans on the phone may be able to escalate your case faster.

3. Join the Facebook and Reddit communities. These groups are filled with owners who have seen it all, and someone out there may have already cracked your exact issue.

4. Document everything. You never know when you might need a paper trail for escalation, warranty work, or even legal protection.

5. Stay in the loop. Read up on other owners’ stories, like the guy who drove 180,000 miles in his Tesla Model 3 without home charging and now has his eyes set on the R1T. Learning from others will always help you better manage your own expectations and choices.

Rivian's Growing Pains Are Real

Let’s give credit where it’s due, Rivian has built something impressive. The R1T is powerful, bold, capable, and often a joy to drive.The OTA update concept is futuristic and, when it works, genuinely brilliant.

But as more owners experience issues like Nickolas’s, the cracks start to show. Not just in the software, but in how the company handles support, prioritization, and communication. And as much as we love innovation, the basics of ownership, reliability, trust, and timely service, can’t be treated as afterthoughts.

Because at the end of the day, no one wants to be the person who upgraded their truck only to have it downgraded by a line of code.

A Quick Word to New or Future Owners

If you're reading this and thinking about buying a Rivian, don’t let this scare you off completely. This isn’t about bashing the brand. It’s about being real. These trucks are phenomenal when everything works, but like any bleeding-edge tech, things can and do go wrong.

So walk in with your eyes open. Know the pros, the cons, and the trade-offs. And read the stories from real owners, people who have been through the ups and downs, before making your call.

Final Thoughts and Moral of the Story

The real takeaway from all this? Just because a feature is controlled by software doesn't mean it’s risk-free. In fact, it’s often the opposite. Every update carries potential, but also vulnerability. And as owners, we need to stay informed, speak up, and push manufacturers to match their innovation with accountability.

At the same time, community matters. Stories like Nickolas’s, and the helpful advice from folks like Brett, remind us that we’re all navigating this new era of vehicles together. One update, one glitch, one fix at a time.

What About You?

Have you ever had a software update go wrong in your Rivian or any other EV?

Do you think automakers should slow down OTA rollouts until they're more thoroughly tested?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear your experience.

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.

Image source: Nickolas Facebook & Rivian Press Room