Windshield replacement in Seattle (east side) area

[rutiger]

Support states BLV can't do windshields. Unfortunate as that's a better drive than SEA for us. SEA on a weekday is terrible.

Appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately (fortunately) I don't have any warranty work unless I make up an issue.

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[Riviot]

Support states BLV can't do windshields. Unfortunate as that's a better drive than SEA for us. SEA on a weekday is terrible.

Appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately (fortunately) I don't have any warranty work unless I make up an issue.

That must've changed when they opened additional SCs in Puget Sound, Bellevue did my first one in 2023.

 

[rutiger]

They wouldn't do our two Rivian deliveries there either and we had to go to Seattle. I get that Seattle is way larger, but it's also a far shittier drive for east siders.

Anyone heard when the Bothell location is supposed to open? That'll be far better for us at least location wise.

 

[rutiger]

Posting today's experience in case it helps anyone local in the future being more informed about your choices and what could go wrong.

I opened a ticket with Rivian for windshield repair on 6/11/25.

They called me on 6/14/25 to schedule the work. To avoid a multi month wait the rep said he'd get approval for it being a safety issue. Ok cool. He said they don't do windshields in Bellevue, only Seattle. Also, said no loaner or rental because it's not a warranty issue. I guess that makes sense?

Due to no loaner or rental and it being a multi hundred dollar Uber ride I had my wife follow me to SEA SC this morning for 9AM appointment. Drive was terrible as any local can imagine going from Monroe to the SEA SC on a weekday morning.

30 mins from arrival I get an email saying there will be a rental. WTF, they said no loaner or rental? Then we check in at SC and rep says it'll be at least 5-7 days for the work. 5-7 days for a windshield replacement? And, he said their 3rd party windshield people only work Thursdays and because this Thursday is a holiday it wouldn't be until the following Thursday the 26th. If that's the case what am I dropping it off for on the 16th?!

I ask to speak to a duty manager to just run through the bit of a clusterf*ck this is now. He said they do windshields in Bellevue and doesn't know why we came to Seattle. Rental car is at Enterprise another 25-30 min drive away. Considering they couldn't commit to any date for simply replacing a windshield and me not wanting to drive another 30 mins for a crappy rental I decided to cut my loses and just head back home with my R1.

Wasted 3 hours driving to/from Seattle today (both me and my wife) all to get nothing accomplished and I still have a broken windshield. Luckily, it is only a windshield issue. Vehicle is perfect otherwise as is the wife's R1S.

Both the rep and the manager were totally friendly, but it just seems like no one has much of an idea of what's going on.

Not sure what the best next step is. Find a certified collision center and see how that goes? Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Riviot]

Not sure what the best next step is. Find a certified collision center and see how that goes? Any thoughts or recommendations?

That really sucks. I'm sorry to hear about the wasted drive today.

I thought it strange customer service said no windshields at Bellevue. And also strange Seattle said "third party" windshield people. I think that has to do with ADAS calibration though, I believe it's a traveling tech, probably covers between Portland SCs and here since there isn't enough work to justify a single full time position at each location.

I recommend making an appointment (for a Wednesday or Thursday drop-off) when it won't sit for a week, at Bellevue, and just bide your time. I wish I would have waited for mine and not gone to Safelite.

 

[rutiger]

To close this out I had the windshield replaced today at Safelite in Bellevue. Took them around 5 hours. But it looks ok to me and they did the calibration as well. The tech said he's done a couple Rivians now. Cruise and enhanced assist seemed to work fine on the way home. Hopefully auto wipers are good too. No rain in forecast to test.

 

[Riviot]

To close this out I had the windshield replaced today at Safelite in Bellevue. Took them around 5 hours. But it looks ok to me and they did the calibration as well. The tech said he's done a couple Rivians now. Cruise and enhanced assist seemed to work fine on the way home. Hopefully auto wipers are good too. No rain in forecast to test.

Can you post a pic of your camera cluster?

I'm still fighting USAA and Safelite over my failed install. I noticed recently going through paperwork Rivian replaced the rain sensor, and I remember it both acting up and looking funny after Safelite did it.

 

[rutiger]

Sure. I assume you mean this, yes?

Here's mine post windshield replacement. My rain sensor appears to have a little more "whatever" in there around the edge. Not sure if that will affect it's capabilities or not. Wonder if spraying water on it can simulate rain and test it?

And for comparison this is from our other R1S with its original windshield.

 

[Riviot]

Sure. I assume you mean this, yes?

Here's mine post windshield replacement. My rain sensor appears to have a little more "whatever" in there around the edge. Not sure if that will affect it's capabilities or not. Wonder if spraying water on it can simulate rain and test it?

And for comparison this is from our other R1S with its original windshield.

Yep, that's it. It looks way better than mine did, but still a little off. I wish I took a pic, mine was just hanging there, giant air gap.

 

[ByzRiv]

Safelite (in Bellevue) doing the post-replacement calibration is relatively new--would've saved me from making a separate Rivian SC appointment that was 2 mos booked out for calibration--if I hadn't traded in my vehicle shortly after!

 

[rutiger]

BLV Rivian called and left a VM yesterday. Some dude stumbling to speak saying he umm has some umm something to fix on my Rivian ummmm. Call them back. No thanks, I'm good.

 

[TollKeeper]

I am also a State Farm customer with a $0 deductible. Safelite is the only "partner" in their network. Although Safelite can do the recalibration, I dont feel good about them. No other glass company that is a preferred State Farm "partner" can do the glass at all.

I am needing warranty work done on the roof glass, front panel, and ditch gutters. Hoping to get all done at the same time. I did not originally get the roof work done as I didnt have wind noise... And now I do.

 

[ByzRiv]

I am also a State Farm customer with a $0 deductible. Safelite is the only "partner" in their network. Although Safelite can do the recalibration, I dont feel good about them. No other glass company that is a preferred State Farm "partner" can do the glass at all.

I am needing warranty work done on the roof glass, front panel, and ditch gutters. Hoping to get all done at the same time. I did not originally get the roof work done as I didnt have wind noise... And now I do.

I would say if it was just the windshield, Safelite (at least my experience locally) was ok, and they were able to get me in quick (like within a week). Rivian SC would've been who knows how long (they were 2-3 mos out on just the recalibration).

If I had to have the roof panel done, I don't think Safelite could handle that, and I would definitely just get that done at the official service center...

 

[TollKeeper]

I would say if it was just the windshield, Safelite (at least my experience locally) was ok, and they were able to get me in quick (like within a week). Rivian SC would've been who knows how long (they were 2-3 mos out on just the recalibration).

If I had to have the roof panel done, I don't think Safelite could handle that, and I would definitely just get that done at the official service center...

Thats my hope... waiting on my insurance company to tell me what the plan is..

The problem I have is that they (state farm) handle most of their glass claims thru a 3rd party vendor, Lynx Services. When I told them I was going to let the dealer do the repair, they said that is fine, but I would be responsible for the entire bill, and that State Farm would only reimburse me a certain covered limit.

Trying to get more info on this now, but this has been a bit frustrating, been working on this problem for over a month!

 

[ByzRiv]

Thats my hope... waiting on my insurance company to tell me what the plan is..

The problem I have is that they (state farm) handle most of their glass claims thru a 3rd party vendor, Lynx Services. When I told them I was going to let the dealer do the repair, they said that is fine, but I would be responsible for the entire bill, and that State Farm would only reimburse me a certain covered limit.

Trying to get more info on this now, but this has been a bit frustrating, been working on this problem for over a month!

Damn, that's crazy. If you have a local State Farm rep that you have a relationship with, they can sometimes be helpful as an intermediary--that's what I did when I had a problem trying to get reimbursement for the tint on the front windshield reimbursed (which I ultimately didn't go through with it since I traded my truck in anyhow). Good luck!

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