Windshield repair or factory glass windshield replacement

[ahoover]

Anyone have experience with windshield repair or factory glass windshield replacement on a Gen 2 R1S (2025).
Took a rock strike last week. The star crack is ~2" across. I'm in Salem, OR.

TIA!

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[dscoti]

Based on my experience with my EV6 and Safelite, find anywhere else. My insurance wanted, not required, me to go to Safelite. I pay extra for OEM parts via our insurance and Safelite said they would comply. Appointment made for the next week due to delivery constraints.

Appointment day I arrived and shop foreman started the disassembly. That’s where things fell apart. He stopped to ensure the OEM glass was in, it wasn’t. They couldn’t find the windshield in-store or local warehouse. Manager said it would take at least another week to get it straightened out. My guess is that it was never ordered.

Frustrated, I went to my dealership. Parts manager said they could have factory OEM glass next day by 10am. Service manager said they used a local auto glass repair/replace company. Upon checking schedule, they were booked next day, but could come following day.

Tried to see if Safelite could use factory glass from dealer next day. Not surprised they said no. Called insurance agent who approved without question. Ordered and installed as scheduled. Surprisingly, the dealership costs were actually much less than Safelite!

Following much discussion, I actually found that Safelite does not acquire factory OEM windows. Rather, they are usually seconds or non-labeled glass, “possibly” from the same production line, but definitely not OEM. Further, looking at all reviews of the Safelite locations in Las Vegas, I discovered they were all rated horribly. Many said it was only recently that Safelite had become obsessed with profit over customer service.

I’m not saying all Safelite locations are bad or dishonest. I’m not saying that everyone has had the same experience. I’m only relating my personal experience with them and I’ll never go to any Safelite again. I will use the dealership/Service Center or a highly rated local service.

YMMV, but do what’s right for you and your insurance company, if covered.

 

[tfarber]

I had both. I had a small repair performed at Safelite. While it seemed to be adequate, it was more visible than repairs on previous cars. I had it redone at my local detail shop and it was much better and could barely see it. I suppose you can't lump all Safelite locations into the same bucket, but I'm not going back to this one. About 9 months later, a bit 'ol rock chip sealed the fate of my windshield. My insurance company wanted me to take it to Safelite. Nope, don't think so. Had my Rivian Service Center do the work and they did a great job.

 

[tk421v97]

Picked up a rock on my Gen 2 R1T over the 4th of July weekend and insurance wanted to use Safelite. Mobile service came out and confirmed what I expected that the crack it made was too large to fix and needed replacement. Guy stated my local Safelite couldn’t replace the windshield because they didn’t have bays big enough for camera calibration. Took it to my local service center and was fixed in a day. No issues this time.

 

[ebarke]

I was told by our local sc that they don't do glass, and have to go thru their local collision company, which is LaMettry's here in MN. I also got a huge rock crack over the 4th that will need the windshield replaced, going to hopefully get that done this week.

 

[jyerke]

I’m in Seattle and had to have mine replaced. Went to Safelite and it was quickly done. However, when I went to Rivian for service about concerns on my HFD, they said the cameras were not calibrated. I went back to Safelite. They recalibrated the cameras and said they were originally fine. Interestingly, my auto for wiper control quite going off intermittently. I’ve since been told Safelite does use non OEM glass. Safelite service has always been great for me.

 

[JMACCA]

Lake Forest Rivian service center did a great job replacing my windshield and insurance paid about 80% of it after a detailed letter regarding the sensor calibration and safety features that must be accurate. Of course 2 weeks latter a load of dirt from an over pass on the 57 freeway severely cracked the second windshield which 911 AUTO GLASS REPAIR repaired extremely well. If you have a high end auto glass repair place like 911 Auto Glass Repair, I would go there first. Extremely important to attempt a repair as soon as possible for the best results.

 

[forestwalker]

After talking to a trusted vendor (a local shop in the Portland, OR area), I decided having Rivian themselves replace my damaged windshield with OEM glass and perform the calibration was the best way to go. The vendor I usually deal with told me that's basically the only way you can be sure the correct glass is going in and everything is calibrated correctly. There have apparently been issues with aftermarket glass interfering with the camera/sensor components in some cases.

Only downside is Rivian can't collect the deductible (even though I have insurance through Rivian) so I had to pay the 2k out of pocket and wait to be reimbursed by Nationwide (which went smooth and quick).

 

[therealcmj]

Took a stone on the Chrismas drive last year and by the time I got home it has spread to multiple feet long.

Rivian (in the app) couldn't see me for a month and I was slated to drive from Boston to Florida before they could get me in. Insurance nudged me to Safelite and I made an appointment with them for a week later. The literal afternoon before my scheduled 6 AM drop off appointment they called me to say they could (in theory) install non-OEM glass, but wouldn't be able to calibrate. The closest Safelite that could do it (also not with OEM glass) was unworkable because it was an hour drive away, it would take all day to do it, and I only own one car. I called Rivian with more than a little desperation in my voice and they got me sorted. But it turns out that they actually just send it off to a local body shop to do the work!

My truck actually sat at Rivian (with them paying for my rental!) for 2 days before they drove it over. And it turns out the place they sent it is right next to the subway station. So I could have kept it until they were ready for it and dropped it off myself.

Protip: leave an airtag in your car so you can see what shop they send it to. That way the next time you can just go to them directly.

 

[DD4ST]

I got a rock in my R1T, and had previously had a bad Safelight experience in another car. But since insurance used Safelight I researched it online and dropped by. I read online that Safelight, being as big as it is, has windshields made just for them and that quality may not be the same. I can’t verify this. Regardless, my local Safelight told me they don’t install on Rivians because they cannot do the window calibration. Seems also that a sensor attached to the windshield needs to be replaced for accurate calibration. I approached the insurance company to get them to use Rivian and they agreed. Since I am in Florida and this was my first windshield there was no deductible. I’d see if your Safelight is in the same situation re calibrations and then ask the insurance company if they would cover it at Rivian. Also, the difference in cost is only a few hundred dollars. My windshield replacement was a little over $2000.

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