Windshield replacement in Seattle (east side) area

[rutiger]

I know there are other windshield threads in general, but wanted to ask specifically in here for local feedback.

Has anyone here had their windshield replaced? Who did you use? How did it turn out? Anything else?

A trip down to PDX yesterday finished off my windshield. Rock left a big star crack and today's sun/heat caused it to spread all the way to the upper and bottom edge of the windshield.

I've used Safelite in the past for a windshield replacement on a Rubicon (they left a large scratch on my hood so I wan't super impressed) and recently for a crack fill on my R1S. I always laugh when the Safelite people show up. Unlike their commercials with professional looking vehicles, people, and uniforms in reality every single time it's been a one or two guys in some beater dressed like kids I see at the skate park.

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[Riviot]

Has anyone here had their windshield replaced? Who did you use? How did it turn out? Anything else?

At this point, only use Rivian service center. Safelite in our area is terrible.

Unlike their commercials with professional looking vehicles, people, and uniforms in reality every single time it's been a one or two guys in some beater dressed like kids I see at the skate park.

And that's who's working on your vehicle here. After a terrible experience, I do not recommend them.

 

[mark23]

FWIW I recently had decent results (on a Tesla windshield replacement) with the Safelite in South Seattle down by Boeing Field. They did all the calibration stuff on the cameras, etc. Mobile service always feels more hit or miss, but the staff at shop all seemed pretty professional.

I've had another windshield replaced at the Tesla service center and I didn't see any difference other than the wait time to get an appointment. The Rivian windshields and procedures are probably still a lot less common so service center might still be the right answer.

 

[Eric9610]

I am not in your area but in general per my insurance agent Safelite is the worst. Just had mine done at Rivian and the process was amazing! Just make sure when you book your appointment that you ask in chat if the windshields are in stock.

Also, as a note you can get $0 deductible glass from your insurance. This only cost my policy $3.25 a year to add.

 

[Riviot]

I am not in your area but in general per my insurance agent Safelite is the worst. Just had mine done at Rivian and the process was amazing! Just make sure when you book your appointment that you ask in chat if the windshields are in stock.

Also, as a note you can get $0 deductible glass from your insurance. This only cost my policy $3.25 a year to add.

Which insurer? I specifically asked USAA about glass coverage, they said no go, they only use comprehensive deductible.

 

[Eric9610]

Which insurer? I specifically asked USAA about glass coverage, they said no go, they only use comprehensive deductible.

State Farm. Also, it is specifically under comprehensive called out as $0 deductible comprehensive windshield coverage. Maybe ask them about windshield and not glass in general as this refers to all glass on the car.

 

[Riviot]

State Farm. Also, it is specifically under comprehensive called out as $0 deductible comprehensive windshield coverage. Maybe ask them about windshield and not glass in general as this refers to all glass on the car.

I did, but my future insurance (Amica) does have full windshield glass coverage. Another reason I'm switching, once I get this stupid windshield claim paid.

 

[rutiger]

Not that it matters, but here's what a rock and some hot sunshine did.

 

[rutiger]

In the lower right corner is a "repaired" crack from just a few weeks back. I've been unlucky on the roads lately.

 

[Eric9610]

Not that it matters, but here's what a rock and some hot sunshine did.

Mine got struck in almost the exact same place and cracked the same way.

 

[dleepnw]

Safelite is the de facto wrt windshields but I will say its been hit and miss at least based on my experience with the Bellevue location (for my non-Rivian vehicles). For small cracks, the repair has been fine. I've had entire windshields replaced twice and both times I had to return. Once the adhesive they applied wasn't done well and I could hear wind coming through. Another time, they did a poor job and there was excessive adhesive on the outer edge of one side of the glass. They had to redo the entire thing. If it came down to it, I'd probably pay extra and go to the Rivian SC.

 

[Redmond Chad]

We've used Safelite mobile service based out of the Bellevue location twice for windshield replacements. Once was over 10 years ago, once was just a few months ago with my R1S.

Both times worked out great for us. My wife also had a chip repair at the Bellevue location a couple of years ago and while the work was great, she was disappointed that they didn't tell her when they were starting as promised; only once they were complete.

 

[Riviot]

Safelite is the de facto wrt windshields but I will say its been hit and miss at least based on my experience with the Bellevue location (for my non-Rivian vehicles). For small cracks, the repair has been fine. I've had entire windshields replaced twice and both times I had to return. Once the adhesive they applied wasn't done well and I could hear wind coming through. Another time, they did a poor job and there was excessive adhesive on the outer edge of one side of the glass. They had to redo the entire thing. If it came down to it, I'd probably pay extra and go to the Rivian SC.

I did a couple chip and crack seals myself on the first windshield, they held great and weren't the failures when it finally went. The second I only had Safelite do them, alas, their repair was the one that failed. This third windshield has been the bane of my ownership right now; Safelite did a poor glass alignment and seal so I got both wind buffering and air noise when I ran the air...

... But it turns out Rivian isn't immune from the same issues. If I run recirc, no noise. If I run outside air, it gets really really bad. And there is a lot of extra sealant, despite the visible hole. I really think crews at both Safelite and Rivian aren't cracking doors or windows when it cures, then the truck runs the new BLAST ALL AIR mode after exiting and it jacks up the seal.

It even made its way up under my PPF somehow?

 

[rutiger]

I'm going to go through Rivian SC. Kinda annoying though when they called to schedule it they can't tell me/don't have much insight into multiple things I asked like are they in stock, is this going to be done same day, how long will it take, if overnight can I get a loaner, etc.

Driving to Seattle SC is like 1.5 hrs and I guess I'm going to show up not knowing anything including how I might get home if they need it long term ($200 uber ride home, loaner, etc.)

 

[Riviot]

I'm going to go through Rivian SC. Kinda annoying though when they called to schedule it they can't tell me/don't have much insight into multiple things I asked like are they in stock, is this going to be done same day, how long will it take, if overnight can I get a loaner, etc.

Driving to Seattle SC is like 1.5 hrs and I guess I'm going to show up not knowing anything including how I might get home if they need it long term ($200 uber ride home, loaner, etc.)

Is it the Seattle SC or Bellevue or Fife?

They have plenty of windshields in stock, it's a normal repair for them.

It will NOT be same day; they like to have it cure overnight before reinstalling everything and performing ADAS calibration. Expect it to take >24 hours.

They won't provide a loaner unless they're doing other warranty work to your vehicle. Well, maybe they would, but they'd charge you. I suggest getting something fixed under warranty at the same appointment so they do give a loaner or Enterprise rental.

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