Rivian is facing harsh criticism after an unhappy R1T owner spray-painted phrases including “DON’T BUY JUNK” and “RIVIAN IS JUNK” across his truck before parking it directly opposite the company’s Denver showroom. The protest gained attention online through Reddit posts and a website, titled rivianisjunk.com, documenting the owner’s experience. The ownership dispute turned into a public spectacle for the EV startup, just days before the Rivian R2’s arrival.
Years Of Frustration
Jake Burns
The owner, known online as Jake Burns and philociraptor, says the display was the result of years of frustration. In Reddit comments discussing the spray-painted truck, Burns claimed Rivian recently attempted to charge him around $1,000 to replace the R1T Quad Motor’s 12-volt battery after the vehicle sat unplugged for roughly 15 days. According to Burns, the two-year-old battery should still have been covered under warranty as Rivian’s 12-volt battery coverage lasts three years.
Burns said Rivian contacted his attorney regarding a possible disparagement case after the protest gained traction online. While several Rivian owners in the same Reddit thread defended the brand and reported mostly trouble-free ownership, others resonated with Burns. Reddit user Huskerzfan claimed his truck spent a significant amount of time in service. He said more than 3% of the vehicle’s mileage was from trips to service centers, while he spent 12.5% of his lease period driving loaner vehicles instead of his own.
A Long List Of Issues
Jake Burns
On his website, Burns explains that he was originally an enthusiastic Rivian supporter who reserved an early Quad-Motor R1T because he believed in the company’s vision. He claims the truck he eventually received differed from the original configuration he ordered and that a long list of issues followed soon after delivery. According to Burns, the truck experienced phantom braking incidents, rusted tow hooks, drivetrain noises, rattles, electronic glitches, and many more.
Videos uploaded to his website appear to show the steering wheel shaking at low speeds, unusual noises during acceleration, and driver-assistance systems behaving unpredictably. One of the most serious complaints involves what Burns describes as an unresolved steering defect that allegedly made the truck unsafe to drive. He claims the vehicle has remained parked since July 2025 as a result, while he pursues lemon law claims and legal action against Rivian.
Pressure Builds For Rivian
Jake Burns
Although this appears to be an unusually extreme ownership case, it arrives at a sensitive moment for Rivian. The Rivian R1T is considered one of the least reliable EVs on the market, earning a Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability Score of just 18/100. On top of that, the company is preparing for the launch of its more affordable R2 SUV. If that wasn’t enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating rear toe link failures involving Rivian R1T and R1S models after two reported incidents. Investigators say the failures caused vehicles to swerve unexpectedly, with one case resulting in a crash, although no injuries were reported.
Despite the controversy and other concerns, many Rivian owners continue to report positive experiences online. Several users in the same Reddit discussion said they had driven their trucks for tens of thousands of miles without major issues. Burns ultimately summed up his frustrations with a blunt statement on his website: “The public should be able to see what happens when a company is given every opportunity to demonstrate quality and integrity yet chooses not to. Rivian is junk.”
