Rivian R1T / R1S Door Handle Paint Bubbles & Corrosion: What the New TSB Covers

 

If you’ve noticed small paint “bubbles” forming below one of your exterior door handles on a Rivian R1T or R1S, Rivian has published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that explains the likely cause and the approved repair approach.

This is useful to know whether you’re already seeing bubbling/corrosion, or you simply want to understand what to look for during regular wash/detail inspections.

What’s the issue?

Rivian describes a condition where bubbles can form in the painted surface below the exterior door handles. According to the bulletin, adhesive used to secure an inner door reinforcement may allow contaminants to contribute to corrosion on the inner surface of the door over time, which can eventually show up as a visible paint/finish problem on the outside.

In short: what looks like a cosmetic paint issue can be a sign of corrosion that started from inside the door.

Which vehicles might be affected?

• R1T and R1S
• Model years: 2022–2024
• Approx. build window: August 2021 through April 2024

Important note: “Some vehicles” doesn’t mean all vehicles. Applicability can depend on your VIN/build details and whether the condition is present.

What should owners inspect?

1. Rivian’s inspection focus is very specific:
2. Check both sides of the vehicle
3. Inspect the painted area directly below each exterior door handle

Look for:

• Paint bubbling
• Blistering
• Any unusual paint texture changes in that area

If the bubbling/corrosion is not in that specific area, or if there is no corrosion, the bulletin may not apply.

What’s the official remedy?

If the condition is confirmed, Rivian’s remedy is to repair and refinish the affected door(s).

The repair is intended to be performed by a Rivian Certified Collision Center, and the bulletin outlines disassembly, corrosion removal, and refinishing steps.

High-level overview of the repair process

While the detailed procedure is aimed at certified repair facilities, here’s the high-level idea:

1) Disassembly for access

Depending on which door is affected, components may be removed to access the inner door structure and affected area.

2) Corrosion removal and surface prep

The damaged area is stripped and sanded to remove adhesive/paint and address corrosion.

3) Repair method depends on severity

The bulletin describes different approaches depending on how extensive the corrosion is, including:

• Welding in certain cases
• Metal-reinforced filler for very small holes
• Door replacement for more severe damage

4) Refinish + re-bond with specific adhesive guidance

After repair, the door is refinished and reassembled following specific adhesive guidance intended to maintain proper drainage and avoid contaminating the handle assembly.

What you should do if you see bubbling

1. Take photos (close-up and wider view showing which door it is)
2. Write down the date you first noticed it
3. Submit a Rivian service request via the app and attach the photos
4. Mention you’re seeing paint bubbling below the exterior door handle and ask if your vehicle aligns with the latest service bulletin guidance.
5. Be prepared that Rivian may route the repair to a Rivian Certified Collision Center

Is this a recall?

No, this is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), which typically provides repair guidance for a known condition when it is present. It’s not the same as a recall.

 

Final Thoughts

If you spot bubbling early, it’s worth documenting and getting it evaluated. Even small paint bubbles can be a sign of an underlying issue, and catching it sooner can make the repair process simpler and the repair result better.

Source NHTSA