A disgruntled Rivian R1T owner has taken his frustrations public in dramatic fashion after allegedly spending months battling unresolved problems with his electric pickup. The owner spray-painted messages including “RIVIAN IS JUNK” and “DON’T BUY JUNK” across the truck before parking it outside Rivian’s Denver showroom, drawing widespread attention online.
The protest quickly spread across Reddit and social media, accompanied by the launch of a website called “Rivian Is Junk,” where the owner documented what he describes as years of reliability issues, failed repairs, legal disputes, and mounting ownership costs. The case has sparked heated debate among EV enthusiasts, with some owners defending the brand while others shared similar frustrations.
According to the website, the owner originally reserved an early Quad-Motor R1T with the Max Pack because he strongly believed in Rivian’s vision and wanted to support the startup’s push into electric adventure vehicles. He claims the truck he eventually received differed from the configuration he originally ordered, with certain features removed or later offered as paid options.
The owner says the situation steadily worsened after delivery, eventually leaving the truck parked and undrivable since July 2025. He alleges the vehicle spent an extraordinary amount of time in service and developed a wide range of mechanical and electronic problems, including steering defects, phantom braking incidents, rattles, drivetrain noises, trim failures, and battery-related issues.
Warranty Dispute Escalated The Situation
The controversy intensified after the owner claimed Rivian refused to replace the truck’s failed 12-volt battery under warranty. According to comments posted on Reddit, the company allegedly argued that the truck had remained unplugged for roughly 15 days, leading to the battery failure.
The owner disputed that explanation, noting that Rivian’s warranty coverage for the 12-volt battery reportedly lasts three years. He also claimed the battery was only around two years old at the time of failure, making the denial especially frustrating after the vehicle had already experienced repeated service visits.
The owner says the dispute became the tipping point after months of attempting to resolve problems directly with Rivian. He eventually pursued lemon law claims and legal action while continuing to make monthly payments, cover storage costs, and pay legal expenses for a truck he says he cannot safely drive.
Videos Show Alleged Steering And Drivetrain Problems
The “Rivian Is Junk” website includes several videos that appear to show steering wheel vibration, unusual drivetrain noises, and inconsistent behavior from the truck’s driver-assistance systems. One clip shows the steering wheel shaking noticeably at low speeds, while another captures mechanical noises during acceleration.
Among the most serious accusations is an unresolved steering issue the owner claims made the truck unsafe to operate. He says Rivian failed to permanently correct the problem despite numerous service appointments.
The website also lists several additional complaints that were allegedly not captured on video. Those issues include rusted tow hooks, warped gear tunnel plastics, interior trim pieces falling off, window control failures, steering pull, and body shimmy.
Rivian Owners Split Over The Protest
Reaction from the Rivian community has been sharply divided. Some owners criticized the public protest as excessive, while others sympathized with the frustration of repeated service visits and unresolved defects.
Several Rivian owners responding to the Reddit posts said they had driven their trucks tens of thousands of miles without major issues. Others reported reliability concerns of their own, including extended service-center downtime and recurring repairs.
One Reddit user claimed a significant percentage of his vehicle’s mileage came solely from trips to Rivian service centers. Another said he spent a substantial portion of his lease period driving loaner vehicles while his own truck remained in the shop.
Tough Timing For Rivian
The controversy arrives during an important period for Rivian as the company prepares to launch the more affordable R2 SUV. The upcoming model is expected to play a major role in Rivian’s long-term growth strategy and broaden the brand’s appeal beyond premium EV buyers.
At the same time, Rivian continues facing scrutiny over reliability and service concerns. Consumer Reports previously assigned the R1T a low predicted reliability score, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also investigated reported rear toe-link failures involving certain R1T and R1S models.
According to investigators, those failures allegedly caused vehicles to swerve unexpectedly in at least two reported incidents, including one crash. No injuries were reported in connection with the investigation.
Despite the criticism, Rivian still maintains a passionate owner base and remains one of the most recognizable EV startups in the industry. Whether this highly publicized ownership dispute represents an isolated case or a broader customer-service challenge will likely remain part of the conversation as the company pushes toward its next phase of expansion.