Rivian is facing customer backlash over a change to the R2 SUV’s ventilated seats, with some buyers reportedly canceling their orders after discovering that the updated system no longer directs airflow through the seat backrest. The revision has raised concerns among current and prospective customers, while the company’s explanation has focused on reducing excessive cabin noise.
Rivian R2 Gets a Revised Seat Ventilation System
Rivian has quietly revised the R2’s seat ventilation feature, changing how air moves through the seats. Under the updated design, ventilation is concentrated in the seat cushion rather than circulating air through both the seat base and backrest.
The change first surfaced in online forums and was subsequently reported by the RivianTrackr Blog. According to those reports, the update has triggered significant anger within the Rivian community, including among customers who had been enthusiastic about the company’s vehicles.
Some prospective buyers have reportedly canceled their orders, while others have threatened to pursue credit card chargebacks for non-refundable order fees. The controversy has also raised concerns among buyers who say the revised vehicle no longer matches the features that initially attracted them to the R2.
Customers Raise Concerns Over Transparency
Beyond the change itself, Rivian’s handling of the update has drawn criticism from potential buyers who were dissatisfied with the lack of transparency surrounding the removal of seat-back ventilation.
In a statement to InsideEVs, Rivian explained that excessive cabin noise from the previous system was the primary reason for the redesign. The company said the revised setup focuses airflow on the seat cushion, where occupants retain the most heat.
“R2 ventilated seats are designed to deliver active airflow through the seat cushion, where occupants retain the most heat,” a Rivian spokesperson said. “Because the seat back ventilation generated excessive cabin noise, we streamlined the system. R2 seat heating is unchanged.”
Questions Remain for Existing R2 Buyers
Rivian has not clarified how the revised ventilation system will affect customers who previously purchased an R2 expecting to receive the original configuration, including ventilation through the seat backrest.
The company also has not said whether a software update will remove the seat-back ventilation functionality from earlier R2 vehicles. That uncertainty leaves existing buyers without a clear explanation of whether the change will apply to vehicles purchased under the previous design.
The revised seat ventilation system has become a point of contention for Rivian, as customers question both the feature change and the company’s communication about it. The company’s explanation addresses the noise concern, but questions remain about how the update will affect previous buyers.
