Beware Safelite windshield repair

[Wallfacer2024]

We have had our Gen. 2 R1S for almost a year and love it. Unfortunately we recently cracked our windshield with a rock on the highway. We used a local Safelite shop and they did a decent job with windshield replacement but the rain sensor was not working properly afterwards- it would turn on randomly.
Luckily our Rivian mobile guy came and replaced it and is under warranty.
Safelite has been approved by Rivian to replace windshield but just assume they are not going to re-install rain sensor correctly and you may need Rivian assistance anyway. All other technology seems to be in order.
Also- rearview was cracked accidentally by the Safelite technician and still waiting on replacement

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[Dark Helmet]

Curious - though I don't have personal experience with this, there was a lot of web chatter about Safelite adding unnecessary charges for Teslas for ADAS calibration (or something along those lines) after windshield replacement. Did you see anything on your invoice that looked like it might have had something similar?

 

[Wallfacer2024]

Barely looked at invoice since I have a $0 deductible

 

[Riviot]

assume they are not going to re-install rain sensor correctly

That's a consumable part, they should NOT be reusing it. I had the same issue. Once removed from the glass, the adhesive and transparency are lost. You can visibly see it not fully adhered if reused.

 

[I_h8_fords]

Bummer about your experience with the glass replacement OP. I just needed a new windshield too. When I went through the process, Rivian told me Safelite was not an authorized replacement option. They sent me this link.

https://rivian.com/support/article/certified-collision-centers

I'm curious, is there inconsistent guidance coming from Rivian or was this set up through your auto insurance?

I called the collision centers in my area. They were quoting ridiculous prices. I ended up going through a Rivian service center. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of their work, how quickly they got me in and out, at a much better price than the other certified centers. I didn't quote Safelite, curious how much they ended up billing your insurance.

 

[Dhevey]

I’m in Rhode Island. The Safelite folks here don’t have the calibration equipment, but there is a Rivian « authorized » repair center that did the replacement and calibration. They even transferred my barcode stickers. Cranston Collision Center. The owner told me they spent weeks training at the Rivian facility, and they can repair many Rivian issues. They did great work, and I’ll never use Safelite again.

 

[BigSkies]

Curious - though I don't have personal experience with this, there was a lot of web chatter about Safelite adding unnecessary charges for Teslas for ADAS calibration (or something along those lines) after windshield replacement. Did you see anything on your invoice that looked like it might have had something similar?

I did a Safelite replacement about a year ago. At the time, Safelite was not certified to recalibrate the cameras, and I had to go in to a separate Rivian service appointment for the calibration.

It sounded like Safelite was in the process of getting certified for this, so maybe it's possible now.

I wouldn't consider this an "unnecessary" service. Those cameras are a critical safety component for anyone using Driver+.

It was still cheaper to do it this way than have Rivian replace the glass.

 

[tfarber]

I got a quote from Safelite, and they were about a hundred less that Rivian for my windshield. Went with Rivian and they did a great job.

 

[runwithscissors]

I'd rather pay upront for Rivian to do it and get reimbursed by my insurance company. Had Safelite replace my Volvo glass and it was definitely inferior with noise from factory.

 

[rutiger]

So, first of all I'm not a huge fan of Safelite based on past experiences. That said I've had my windshield replaced twice now in my '25 R1S Tri. All sensors work completely fine.

Work done at Bellevue WA Safelite location.

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