Rivian Collision Repair Experience: A Journey Through Rivian R1S Body Repair Challenges and Solutions

Living the electric vehicle lifestyle comes with its unique thrills and challenges. As enthusiasts, we often focus on the innovative technology, sustainability, and adventure capabilities of EVs. However, real-world experiences—especially when it comes to repairs and service—can put your patience to the test. Today, I want to share an honest and detailed account of our Rivian repair experience, specifically focusing on the body repair process after an unfortunate collision involving my wife’s Rivian R1S. This story reflects the highs and lows of owning a cutting-edge electric vehicle and the realities that come with service delays, parts shortages, alternative transportation, and insurance hurdles.

The Incident: Deer Collision and Initial Damage Assessment

It all started on a snowy, dark night on a quiet country road when a deer suddenly appeared in front of my wife’s R1S. Despite cautious driving, the collision was unavoidable, resulting in visible damage primarily to the passenger side door and the front bumper. Fortunately, the rear of the vehicle and the undercarriage remained intact, and no major mechanical damage was apparent at first glance.

The damage was subtle but concerning: the bottom of the passenger door was slightly buckled, causing misalignment, and the front bumper had some scrapes and embedded deer hair. It wasn’t immediately clear how extensive the repairs would be, but we knew this would not be a quick fix.

Video Footage and Initial Thoughts

Thanks to the gear guard video footage, we could see the deer darting into the R1S, emphasizing how sudden and unavoidable the accident was. This footage was helpful for documentation but didn’t ease the frustration of the upcoming repair process. Initially, I hoped the door could be repaired rather than replaced, but as the story unfolded, it became clear that the damage was more significant than anticipated.

The Long Wait: Service Appointment and Parts Backorder

One of the most challenging aspects of our Rivian repair experience was the long wait to even get the vehicle into a body shop. The accident happened on January 18th, 2025 but the earliest appointment we could secure at our preferred body shop was not until March 26th, 2025—more than two months later. This delay was frustrating, especially since the vehicle was not in ideal condition to drive during this time.

Once at the body shop, the technicians performed a teardown to fully assess the damage, revealing that the passenger door was beyond repair and required replacement. Unfortunately, the replacement door was on national backorder from Rivian, with the shop estimating it could take up to three months to arrive due to supply chain constraints and high demand.

The body shop shared that they currently had about a dozen Rivians in for repairs, many waiting on door parts, which highlighted a broader issue with parts availability for this relatively new electric vehicle brand.

Loaner Vehicle Drama: A Rollercoaster of Promises

Given the lengthy wait for parts, the body shop advised me to contact Rivian to request a loaner vehicle. Initially, Rivian declined this request, saying they could not support a loaner and asked me to check back in 30 days, expecting the door to arrive within a week. This back-and-forth was frustrating, especially since my wife’s R1S was less than a year old, and we expected better support from a premium EV manufacturer.

After expressing our concerns, Rivian did eventually offer to provide a rental vehicle through Enterprise, but this promise was rescinded shortly after. The explanation given was vague, citing the third-party nature of the body shop, but the core issue was Rivian’s inability to supply parts promptly for a vehicle that's only 1 year old.

After writing to Rivian's senior leadership about the situation, Rivian did reach out an offer to cover the rental which my wife accepted.  While it was frustrating Rivian ultimately did the right thing by us and for that we were very thankful to Rivian.

This experience underscored a significant gap in Rivian’s customer service infrastructure regarding parts shortages and extended repair times. It also raised questions about who should bear the costs for rental vehicles when delays are caused by manufacturer or supplier issues rather than the accident itself.

Insurance and Rental Coverage: Navigating the Fine Print

During this period, we relied on our insurance policy with GEICO. Since the incident occurred in mid-January, this rental coverage ran out well before the body shop appointment. While my wife continued to drive the R1S with alignment and wind noise issues, it was not ideal or completely safe.

It’s important to note that insurance companies often only cover rental vehicles while the car is actively being repaired, not while waiting for parts. This industry trend means customers can be left without a rental option during extended waiting periods, as was our case.

Additionally, making multiple claims or extended rental claims can increase insurance premiums for everyone, which complicates the question of who should pay when parts shortages cause delays.

Progress and Resolution: Repair Completion and Vehicle Pickup

Despite the challenges, there was a silver lining. Once the replacement door finally arrived, the body shop was able to complete the repairs in just over a month—from March 26th to May 2nd—much faster than the initially anticipated three months. Rivian also provided a loaner during this period, which was a relief.

During the repair, the front bumper and grill were replaced, the passenger door was swapped out entirely, and paint blending was done to match the surrounding panels. The technicians also performed vehicle diagnostics, calibrated surround view cameras, restored corrosion protection, and completed a suspension alignment.

The total repair bill, covered by insurance, was approximately $6,984.44. While the repair quality was generally good, there were minor issues with panel gaps and trim alignment that didn’t quite meet our expectations. Still, the vehicle was restored to a safe, drivable condition.

Loaner Vehicle Experience

Interestingly, the rental vehicle provided by Enterprise was a Lucid Air, an electric vehicle, which suited our preference for EVs over gas-powered cars. However, due to personal comfort issues (my wife experienced knee problems), we later switched to a Mitsubishi Outlander, a gas-powered SUV which she drove until picking up the R1S.

Reflections on the Rivian Repair Experience

Our journey through the Rivian repair experience has been a mix of frustration, patience, and gratitude. Here are some key takeaways:

• Parts availability remains a significant challenge: Despite Rivian’s innovative approach to EVs, supply chain issues—especially for body parts like doors—can cause lengthy delays in repairs.
• Service infrastructure needs improvement: Coordinating loaner vehicles and managing customer expectations during extended wait times require better processes and clear communication.
• Insurance coverage has limits: Rental reimbursements often do not cover the full duration of delays caused by manufacturer parts shortages, leaving owners in a difficult position.
• Customer service matters: While some Rivian employees, especially at the Gaithersburg service center, were helpful and professional, the company’s overall handling of this situation showed room for improvement.
• Honesty and transparency are key: Keeping customers informed about realistic timelines and options can help manage frustration and build trust.

Personally, this experience has made me reconsider future Rivian purchases, including canceling my own R2 reservation. Rivian ultimately did make the situation right and took care of our needs which is why my wife purchased a new 2025 R1S.

Industry Context: Parts Shortages Aren’t Unique to Rivian

It’s worth noting that parts shortages and service delays are not exclusive to Rivian. Other automakers like Tesla and General Motors also face similar challenges, especially during the pandemic and with ongoing supply chain disruptions. For example, GM has a program to provide loaner vehicles during extended repair times, which includes reimbursement for mileage and fuel costs—even if the loaner is a gasoline vehicle.

This industry-wide issue highlights the importance of manufacturers developing contingency plans to support customers during repair delays. Ideally, this would involve better parts stocking, streamlined insurance cooperation, and standardized loaner programs to minimize inconvenience for EV owners.

Advice for Rivian Owners and Prospective Buyers

If you’re a current or prospective Rivian owner, here are some tips based on our experience:

1. Prepare for potential delays: Understand that parts availability can cause long waits for body repairs, especially for relatively new models like the R1S.
2. Check your insurance policy carefully: Know the limits of rental coverage and what is covered during waiting periods versus active repairs.  Make sure you have enough coverage!
3. Stay proactive with service centers: Communicate regularly with your body shop and/or Rivian service to get updates.
4. Consider your tolerance for inconvenience: If you rely heavily on your vehicle daily, extended downtime can be frustrating and disruptive.
5. Engage with the community: Rivian owner forums and social media groups are valuable for sharing experiences, tips, and to get support.  I highly recommend the Rivian Owners North American Facebook group.

Conclusion: Balancing EV Innovation with Practical Ownership Realities

The Rivian repair experience shared here is a candid look at the challenges EV owners can face, especially with newer brands still scaling up their service and parts supply networks. While the vehicles themselves are exciting, capable, and well-designed, the ecosystem supporting them needs to improve to match customer needs & expectations.

We remain hopeful that Rivian will address these issues by enhancing parts availability, establishing clear loaner vehicle programs, and improving communication with customers. 

Ultimately, this journey has reinforced the importance of patience and adaptability when living with electric vehicles, especially those from emerging manufacturers. I’ll continue to share updates and insights as we navigate the world of EV ownership, and I encourage you to share your own stories and questions.

Remember, owning an EV is not just about the vehicle itself but the entire experience—from adventure to repair. And as always, make sure to hug the people you love every chance you get.

See our playlist for the video version of our experience: