We Picked Up The Amazing Rivian R1T Almost a Week Ago, But It's Not Entirely What We Ordered and Paid For, I Had To Wait 60 Days For a Change

You’d think that after waiting months and spending high five figures on a cutting-edge electric truck, the moment of delivery would feel like unboxing a dream. But for one new Rivian R1T owner, that dream came with a frustrating twist. While browsing the "RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion" group on Facebook this morning, I came across a post from Lisa Murphy who had just taken delivery of her brand-new R1T. The excitement quickly faded when she discovered that the Performance Upgrade Package she had selected and paid for wasn’t actually included. Even more surprising was that Rivian told her she’d have to wait 60 days for it to be activated.

Here’s Lisa’s full experience: “We picked up the R1T almost a week ago, and it’s an amazing vehicle but not entirely what we ordered and paid for. When purchasing, we selected the performance upgrade package and didn’t see it installed. Customer service is telling me that this ‘change’ will have to wait until we’ve had it for 60 days. That is not what was expected or disclosed, and the delivery specialist seemed to be rushing us out the door. Did anyone run into this?”

Lisa’s experience resonated with several other Rivian owners and quickly drew mixed reactions. The Rivian R1T, while well regarded for its performance and design, has had its fair share of early delivery quirks and service inconsistencies. In Lisa’s case, the issue seems to stem from either a miscommunication during the order process or a deliberate policy Rivian hasn’t clearly communicated. Either way, for someone spending north of $80,000 on a truck, this kind of ambiguity isn’t a great first impression.

What Other Owners Are Saying

One of the first commenters, Adam Beckerman, offered a helpful but slightly concerning perspective: “Are you sure you selected the performance upgrade? I ask because when I purchased mine on 3/31 I didn't. When I inquired about upgrading they told me I needed to wait 60 days.... on 5/31 the option was there. If it was an option selected and paid for I see no reason why you have to wait the 60 days. Perhaps the salesperson misinterpreted your concern.”

Adam’s experience suggests there may be a software-based waiting period that Rivian enforces after purchase before certain upgrades can be activated. However, that only makes sense if an owner is choosing to add the package after delivery. In Lisa’s case, the package was already part of the order. So why delay something that should be ready from day one?

Another comment from Dong M Kim added a more technical angle to the story: “That’s pretty odd they didn’t have it pre installed, but it’s an OTA software update so it would be easy to get it for you. Unsure why you have to wait for 60 days. I’d reach out to your sales representative.”

Dong’s take hits on something worth exploring further. Rivian has consistently marketed over-the-air (OTA) updates as a way to enable new features post-delivery, similar to how Tesla handles software. But when those OTA capabilities are used to delay access to something already paid for, it blurs the line between technical flexibility and customer inconvenience. And this isn’t the first time Rivian owners have run into post-delivery surprises. In fact, one owner shared how they loved their R1T and sold it to buy next year’s model after discovering some frustrating issues that still hadn’t been ironed out.

But Milo Gar was more blunt in their reaction: “You paid for a performance upgrade you didn't get on a truck you don't want? Why do you still have this vehicle in your possession?”

It’s a fair question for new EV buyers who are still trying to build trust in brands that don’t have decades of dealership experience behind them. Rivian doesn’t operate like traditional automakers, and that’s both a strength and a weakness. Many customers love the direct-to-consumer model and frequent updates. But stories like Lisa’s reveal how the lack of a physical dealership network can make it harder to get immediate answers when something feels off.

Still, not every voice in the thread was negative. Stephen A Humphries offered a more optimistic perspective: “Opportunity for a break-in period and learning the vehicle. Get those gears turning normally for some mileage. Later you can grind off the rubber! I always laugh when new EV owners say the tires don’t last. It’s mostly from aggressive acceleration and turning. Enjoy the ride, it’s an awesome machine!”

Stephen’s comment feels like a much-needed breath of positivity. It’s true that many Rivian owners have nothing but praise for their vehicles. Take for instance the story of a Rivian R1T owner who drove across 49 states in under a year, showcasing the vehicle’s long-distance capabilities and charging network viability. The R1T isn’t just an off roader, but also a road warrior.

Why This Delay Matters Though

But that doesn’t change the reality that owners like Lisa are being left in the dark. The performance package is not a small upgrade. It often includes higher output motors, faster 0-60 times, and in some versions, better wheels and tires. If you’ve paid extra for that upgrade, it should be installed, active, and verified at the time of delivery. Anything less feels like a bait-and-switch. This is even if it wasn’t the company’s intention.

There may also be a deeper issue at play here: is Rivian struggling to keep up with demand and software validation for certain performance options? The company has already had to deal with growing pains that come with being a relatively new EV automaker. But those pains are starting to hit customers more directly. In one recent case, a longtime Lexus owner said they chose Rivian over the Lexus RZ 550e precisely because Rivian represented something bold and fresh. So when moments like this happen, it feels like a crack in that image of innovation for some owners. 

That's why I believe this experience reveals something important about Rivian’s current position in the market. They’re in a critical growth phase which means scaling customer service, software delivery, and communication all at once. That’s a tall order. As a writer, I love covering EV startups like Rivian because they disrupt the norm and often challenge what we expect from a vehicle. But it’s stories like this that also remind us that premium branding has to be backed by premium experiences. There’s a huge opportunity for Rivian to stand out by over-communicating. Customers like Lisa shouldn’t have to crowdsource answers from Facebook just to understand why their truck is missing a feature they paid for.

In fact, part of Rivian’s magic has been its ability to convert skeptics. One story I covered involved a driver who swore they’d never own an EV until they bought an R1T and completely fell in love with it. But stories like that only happen when ownership starts with clarity and confidence, not with confusion and delays.

Key Takeaways for EV Shoppers and Owners:

1. Always double-check your order before delivery. Especially with vehicles like Rivians where software-based upgrades may be scheduled post-delivery, ensure you have confirmation of what’s active now vs what will be added later.
2. Push for transparency. If a delivery specialist seems to be rushing you, slow things down. Take the time to inspect every aspect of your truck, ask questions, and verify that you’re receiving exactly what you ordered.
3. Use community resources but demand official answers. Facebook groups and forums are helpful, but they shouldn't be your only source of information. Reach out directly to Rivian support when needed.
4. Understand Rivian’s OTA update system. While it enables flexibility and future features, it may also be used to roll out paid upgrades on a delay. Be clear about what that means for your order.
5. The performance package isn’t just a number. For many buyers, it’s the very reason they chose Rivian. Missing it even temporarily undermines the ownership experience.

Turning The Conversation Over to You

Have you ever bought a car that didn’t come with everything you ordered?

And if you own a Rivian, did your delivery experience meet your expectations? Or were there surprises you wish you knew ahead of time?

Don't hesitate to reach out and let us know your experience in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: The “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” public Facebook group and Rivian’s gallery, respectively.