Rivian Charging Issue: Hot Handle Message and Reduced Power

Rivian Mom · 2025-04-04T15:23:50+00:00

On Tuesday, I went to open the frunk via the button in the bumper but instead the button popped out of whatever clip it's supposed to be held in. The rubber cover over the button is intact. Opened a service ticket just to find out the closest date available was late May. Yikes! It's not a critical issue of course as I can still use the key fob, phone or screen inside the truck to open it but I would love to have it fixed. I live a bit far from a service center and since I would rather not drive that far I opened a chat request to see if they could do a mobile service. No resolution yet on if they will go the mobile route but I found it funny that they requested a video of the issue, so i sent them a video of me filming the underside of the bumper looking at the rubber cover, pressing up and yep the frunk doesn't open, much good info to be gleamed from that. Service really is such an area that needs vastly more resources applied to it if they seem fully booked.

Rivian Mom

Active Wheeler

Jun 4, 2025

Something odd happened during my last two charging sessions with my Rivian. I got a message saying, “Charging reduced due to a hot handle,” and it dropped to 6 kWh instead of the usual 9.6 kWh at 42 amps.

I’m in Miami, Florida, charging in my garage where it’s about 85°F. I use a wall-mounted EV Cube charger with a J1772 extension cable whenever I park farther away. The battery stays between 100°F and 108°F, and the truck’s air conditioning runs often, keeping the area warm.

The extension cord, charger cord, and charger itself don’t feel hot. This only started with the last two sessions. Even after charging for over 12 hours from 15% battery, it didn’t reach 85% charge. I'm still trying to figure out what the problem might be and I haven't reached out to Rivian about it. Anyone seem to have any idea what the issue might be?

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