RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant
System
Rivian is initiating a customer satisfaction campaign for some model year 2025 R1T and R1S vehicles that
are susceptible to water contaminating the refrigerant system. Water contamination may cause premature
failure of some refrigerant system components or, in some cases, cause a loss of HV isolation. A loss of HV
isolation could cause the vehicle to enter a reduced performance safe state mode, and a "Limited Performance
Mode" indicator light to illuminate on the driver display. Rivian will inspect the refrigerant system for water
contamination and, if necessary, replace affected refrigerant system components. Rivian is launching this
campaign for customer satisfaction and to ensure the quality of Rivian vehicles.
Document Type

Customer Satisfaction Campaign
Bulletin

Date

March 11, 2026

Affected Region(s)

USA, Canada

Affected Model(s)

R1T, R1S

Model Year(s)

2025

Approximate Build Dates

May 2024-May 2025

Refer to Open Containments in ServiceOS to
determine if this document applies to a specific
vehicle.
Vehicle System

26 - Thermal Management

Required Parts
Part Number

Quantity Engineering Name

Service Name/Notes

PT00100520-A

1

Seal Washer 12.7mm

O-ring, High Pressure
Refrigerant Line to A/C
Compressor

PT01443307-A

2 or 4

DESICCANT O-RING

O-ring, Desiccant Insert
Housing

Attention: The parts listed in this table are only for unique steps that are called out in this bulletin.
Some sections of this bulletin might refer to Service Manual procedures which require additional parts.
Always review the bulletin and all potentially related Service Manual procedures before ordering parts
and beginning work.

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 1

Potentially Required Parts
Part Number

Quantity Engineering Name

Service Name/Notes

C100349299-H

1

ACCUMULATOR BUNDLE

Chiller/Accumulator
Assembly

PT00349298-E

1

COMPRESSOR; AC; HV

Compressor, A/C

PT00050471-C

1

SENSOR TEMPERATURE-PRESSURE; HIGH

Sensor, Refrigerant,
Heat Exchanger/Chiller/
Accumulator, High
Pressure

Refer to the tool
use instructions

1

Filter drier in the A/C
machine

Refer to the tool
use instructions

2

Filter drier in the A/C
refrigerant flush tool

R1S only:
PT00007882-D

1

EVAPORATOR - HVAC; RR

Evaporator, HVAC, Rear

PT01105487-A

1

ETXV - HVAC; Rear HVAC

Valve, Expansion (TXV),
Rear

Attention: The parts listed in this table are only for unique steps that are called out in this bulletin.
Some sections of this bulletin might refer to Service Manual procedures which require additional parts.
Always review the bulletin and all potentially related Service Manual procedures before ordering parts
and beginning work.

Inspection
1. Remove and retain: Desiccant Insert, Refrigerant System (refer to service manual procedure 264625010).
Note: Do not remove the desiccant insert from the housing.
2. Inspect within the highlighted area. Check for water droplets in the reservoir.

Note: Shown with components removed for clarity.

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Uncontaminated oil

Note: In some cases, small gas bubbles float on the surface of the oil. These bubbles are
acceptable, and are different from water droplets, which remain at the bottom of the oil.

Tip: If necessary: Use a clean tool to touch the droplets. Water droplets move within the oil
when touched.
Uncontaminated oil with gas bubbles on the surface

Contaminated oil with water droplets at the bottom

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 3

Contaminated oil with water droplets at the bottom

• If any water is present: Skip to the Procedure section.
• If no water is present: Continue to the next step.
3.

4. Using a borescope or flashlight and mirror: Inspect within the highlighted area for corrosion.

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Examples of corrosion

• If corrosion is present: Skip to the Procedure section.
• If no corrosion is present: Continue to the next step.
5. Reinstall: Desiccant Insert, Refrigerant System (refer to service manual procedure 264625010).
•

Note: Do not replace the component.

• Replace the highlighted component(s).

6. Reinstall all components that were removed for access and replace all non-reusable components. Refer
to the service manual procedures referenced in this document for additional component reusability
information and torque specifications.
CAUTION: Replace all previously-installed o-rings and sealing washers.

Torque specifications in this
section
Step Number Torque (Nm)
3

20

Procedure
The filter drier in the A/C machine must be replaced before it is used on another vehicle. The filter drier is
replaced in a later step, but if the A/C machine needs to be used on another vehicle before then, the filter drier
must be replaced. Refer to the special tool instructions for important information.

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 5

1. Using a syringe: Remove as much oil and water as possible from the component.

Note: Shown with components removed for clarity.
2. Using needle-nose pliers and a paper towel: Remove residual oil and water from the component. It is
not necessary for the component to be completely dry.
3. Remove and discard:

4. If necessary: Replace:

5. Reinstall:

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 6

6. Reinstall:

7. Review the following information, then: Perform: Flush Refrigerant System (refer to service manual
procedure 264651017).
• Replace the filter drier on the A/C refrigerant flush tool before connecting the tool. Refer to the
special tool instructions for important information.
• R1S: Do not replace Evaporator, HVAC, Rear or Valve, Expansion (TXV) Rear at this time.
• Return to this procedure before starting the evacuation step.
8. Using the A/C machine: Pull a vacuum on the system for at least 2 hours.
9. Replace the filter drier on the A/C refrigerant flush tool. Refer to the special tool instructions for
important information. The filter drier on the flush tool must be replaced after the tool is used on a
vehicle that has water contamination.
10. Replace: Compressor, A/C (refer to service manual procedure 264610010).
• Do not remove any oil from the new component.
• Do not add any additional oil to the refrigerant system.
• Ignore any instructions shown on other service manual procedures regarding the amount of oil to
add to a component.
Note: The new A/C compressor includes the appropriate amount of oil for the entire
refrigerant system.
11. Replace: Chiller/Accumulator Assembly (refer to service manual procedure 264660010).
12. Replace: Sensor, Refrigerant, Heat Exchanger (refer to service manual procedure 264638010).
13. R1S only: Replace: Evaporator, HVAC, Rear (refer to service manual procedure 266412010).
14. R1S only: Replace: Valve, Expansion (TXV), Rear (refer to service manual procedure 264640510).
15.

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 7

Important: Replace the filter drier in the A/C machine. Refer to the special tool instructions for
important information.
16. Recharge the refrigerant (refer to service manual procedure 264650024).

Labor Codes
Labor Code

Description

RCA262600101 Inspect for water in chiller/accumulator assembly, inspect for corrosion in A/C
compressor
RCA262600102 Inspect for water in chiller/accumulator assembly, inspect for corrosion in A/C
compressor, replace refrigerant system components

RCA-26-26-001-1: Water Contamination in Refrigerant System, Page 8