Rivian's electric vehicles face backlash for ranking last in reliability
- Rivian's electric vehicles ranked last in Consumer Reports' annual reliability list.
- Several other electric vehicles, including Ford's F-150 Lightning and Cadillac's Lyriq, also received poor scores.
- Consumer Reports highlighted the need for improvements in reliability to gain consumer trust in the EV market.
In the latest annual automaker reliability report released by Consumer Reports, Rivian's electric vehicles have been placed in the last position among various automakers. This ranking is significant considering Rivian had just topped another Consumer Reports survey earlier in the year, which evaluated the 'most loved' auto brands. The juxtaposition of these two findings highlights a swift shift in consumer perception regarding the reliability of Rivian's products. Alongside Rivian, Ford’s F-150 Lightning, the Cadillac Lyriq, and Chevrolet’s Blazer EV have also received poor reliability scores, indicating a troubling trend for new electric vehicle models. Consumer Reports pointed out specific issues that customers faced with Rivian’s SUV and pickup trucks. It noted that the reliability of these vehicles is reported to be either significantly below or well-below the average reliability scores of other existing automakers' vehicles. Numerous customers have encountered problems with crucial components of the EVs, such as the electric motors, batteries, and charging systems. Additionally, the advanced technology integrations within these cars, particularly infotainment systems that rely heavily on touchscreens, have also contributed to the dissatisfaction among consumers. The publication did mention that EVs, in general, are witnessing improvements in reliability year over year. Some electric vehicles, such as Ford's Mustang Mach-E, have achieved particularly good reliability scores. However, Rivian's circumstances, paired with the challenges faced by other companies like Ford and Cadillac, suggest a larger issue in the EV market that still requires attention and innovation. Despite the promise of electric vehicles, their tendency to present more problems than traditional internal combustion engine cars remains an ongoing concern. Lastly, Consumer Reports indicated that it did not possess enough data to evaluate electric vehicles produced by newer companies like Lucid Motors, or established brands such as Porsche and Polestar, leaving a gap in understanding the broader landscape of EV reliability. This ongoing evaluation of various electric vehicles will be crucial for both consumer trust and the future trajectory of the electric vehicle market, which continues to evolve.