Rivian Service Campaign: Water Shield Installation for R1T – What Owners Need to Know

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Rivian has issued a new customer satisfaction campaign that applies to certain 2023–2024 R1T trucks. While this isn’t a recall, it’s a proactive fix designed to prevent potential long-term issues related to moisture exposure.

What’s the Issue?

According to Rivian, some R1T models were built with a rear zone control module that could be exposed to moisture over time.

This module is part of the truck’s low-voltage electrical system, and prolonged exposure to moisture could lead to:

  • Corrosion at electrical connections
  • Potential long-term electrical issues

While this is not something most owners will notice right away, it’s the type of issue that could develop slowly if left unaddressed.

What Rivian Is Doing

Rivian’s solution is straightforward: they will install a protective water shield over the rear zone control module.

This shield is designed to prevent moisture from reaching the electrical connections and reduce the risk of corrosion over time.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

  • Model: Rivian R1T
  • Model Years: 2023–2024
  • Build Dates: Approximately May 2023 – April 2024

Not every vehicle in this range will be affected. Rivian determines eligibility through their internal service system, so owners should check directly with Rivian or through their app/service center.

What the Repair Involves

This is a relatively minor service procedure compared to other campaigns. Based on the bulletin, technicians will:

  • Access the rear zone control module from the bed area (right-hand side)
  • Remove trim panels for access
  • Clean the mounting area
  • Install a water shield with a sealing strip to protect the module
  • Reinstall components and hardware

The diagrams in the bulletin show the module mounted behind the bed-side trim, with the shield installed as a vertical protective barrier over the component.

Why This Matters

Modern EVs like the Rivian R1T rely heavily on distributed electronic modules throughout the vehicle. Even though this is a low-voltage system, corrosion at electrical connections can lead to:

  • Intermittent electrical faults
  • Communication issues between modules
  • Hard-to-diagnose long-term reliability problems

That’s why preventative fixes like this are important, even if your truck is currently running perfectly.

Should You Take Action?

If you own a 2023 or 2024 R1T, it’s worth taking a minute to:

  • Contact Rivian Service via app or phone
  • Confirm whether your truck is included in this campaign
  • Schedule the installation if applicable

This is a quick, preventative fix that could help avoid bigger issues down the road.

EV Outdoors Take

This is a classic example of Rivian tightening up early production details as more real-world data comes in. It’s not a failure issue, it’s a preventative durability upgrade.

For owners, this is about long-term peace of mind. It’s a simple fix that protects a critical electrical component from environmental exposure, especially important for a truck that’s built to be used outdoors, in all conditions.

If your R1T qualifies, it’s definitely worth getting taken care of sooner rather than later.

Got questions? Drop a comment I love hearing from all of you.

If you found this useful:

Source: Rivian Bulletin RCA-78-26-002-1 (NHTSA)

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Ken, EV Outdoors

Ken, EV Outdoors

I'm an EV analyst focused on a real-world, objective take on electric vehicle ownership. I've been driving EVs for over a decade and have owned 8 across multiple brands, with seat time in many more. EV Outdoors is independent analysis of EV towing, road-tripping, and the realities manufacturers leave out of the brochure.

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