My 2025 Rivian R1S Tri Just Survived a Light Bar Short and a Cracked Windshield, but Now I'm Stuck Between a Long Wait, and a Complicated Fix

Sometimes, owning a cutting-edge electric SUV means facing the kind of old-school problems no one warns you about, like flying rocks. Not metaphorical challenges, but literal chunks of debris launched off the road at 70 mph, with zero respect for your $90,000 adventure vehicle. And when those rocks hit just the right spot, the result isn’t just cosmetic, it’s a logistical mess that can take days, even weeks, to fully resolve.

That’s exactly what happened to Ashish Arora, a Rivian R1S Tri-Motor owner who recently shared their story in the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion Group” on Facebook. What began as a small chip in the light bar quickly spiraled into a string of headaches: water damage, a cracked windshield, insurance wrangling, sensor calibration confusion, and delays at the service center. If you’ve been following Rivian ownership stories lately, you’ll know this isn’t a one-off.

From a Small Chip to a Total Shutdown

Here’s what happened, in Ashish’s words: Series of issues continues. First, a busted light bar due to a rock chip on the highway, thankfully fixed in a day at the service center after the car became non-drivable due to water getting into the light bar and shorting the circuit. Now, a big rock hit and cracked the windshield. The earliest appointment is in 4 days at a center 180 miles away, with no replacement car provided. The other option is to use a certified body shop that also calibrates the sensors (insurance wants SafeLite, but they can’t calibrate, and that’ll have to be done by a Rivian service center). Don’t want the hassle of two appointments (appointments at Rivian are far out or not at a time I can make it shortly). We have a shop that specializes in foreign luxury cars and is a Rivian-authorized shop for glass. Has anyone had it done at an authorized shop? How’s your experience been? 2025 R1S Tri. Thanks in advance.

It started with what seemed like a minor hit to the LED light bar, the signature front fascia that makes the R1S instantly recognizable. But once water got inside, it triggered a short that shut down the vehicle entirely. Thankfully, Rivian was able to fix that within a day, an encouraging sign that not all service experiences involve long waits.

But before Ashish could settle back into normalcy, another rock struck, this time cracking the windshield. That’s when the real problems began.

Why a Windshield Isn’t Just a Windshield Anymore

You’d think replacing a windshield would be simple. But on a vehicle like the R1S, which relies heavily on cameras, sensors, and ADAS features for safety and driver assistance, it’s anything but. It’s not just about swapping out the glass, it’s about making sure all the tech behind the glass works afterward.

Ashish’s insurance company suggested going with SafeLite, which is a go-to for many basic windshield jobs. But SafeLite typically doesn’t handle the sensor recalibration Rivians require after a windshield replacement. That means Ashish would likely need a second appointment, this time with Rivian, to finish the job.

Instead of going through that headache, Ashish is leaning toward a certified body shop that can do both the windshield replacement and calibration in a single visit. That decision alone speaks to how crucial it is to know your options when dealing with specialized repairs on an EV like this.

Other Owners Weigh In, And Offer Caution

The comment section under Ashish’s post quickly filled with feedback from fellow Rivian owners. Some echoed his concerns, while others offered alternatives based on their own past repairs.

One commenter, Ryan, didn’t hold back: “Ashish mentioned that, based on past experiences with Safelite on other vehicles, he would recommend staying away from them.”

Jennifer chimed in with a more reassuring note: “We had our windshield replaced at a Rivian authorized shop. It is an OEM windshield. We have been happy with the work and the finished product. It is crazy how bad the windshields crack!”

This isn’t the first time the R1S’s glass durability has raised eyebrows. From spontaneous stress cracks to damage from small pebbles, the topic pops up frequently in owner forums. Rivian’s sleek, flush design may look great, but it also makes the front end more exposed to rock strikes compared to more traditional vehicles.

Service Woes That Feel All Too Familiar

Ashish’s situation, though frustrating, isn’t unique. Over the last year, we’ve seen a number of owners facing surprisingly long waits for service, especially when the nearest Rivian center is hundreds of miles away. One 2025 R1S owner recently shared that their vehicle became completely unresponsive after preconditioning the cabin, and another found themselves stuck after a suspension failure, just nine days into ownership.

And then there are the growing pains of needing service while living in a region not yet fully covered by Rivian’s expanding network. As the brand pushes toward higher sales and broader reach, they’ll need to ensure their infrastructure keeps pace with the complexity of their vehicles.

We previously reported on a Rivian owner who had to wait over a month for charging-related service. These aren’t isolated cases, they’re signals.

Loaners Aren’t a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

The lack of a loaner vehicle in Ashish’s case might seem like a small detail, but it’s a big deal when you live far from a service center. Driving 180 miles to drop off your car, then being left without a way home, adds real stress to the ownership experience, especially for a vehicle that’s meant to enable adventures, not disrupt your schedule.

Traditional luxury brands almost always offer a loaner. And while Rivian is still in its startup phase, these types of customer experience gaps are something they’ll need to tighten up. Especially when their vehicles are already suffering from early failures and high service demand.

When It All Works, It’s Still Worth It

Despite the issues, it’s important to remember that most Rivian owners aren’t jumping ship. Many are fully aware of the trade-offs and still choose to stick with the brand. And for good reason.

There are stories that paint a different picture, ones where the R1S proves its worth in real-world conditions. Like the owner who towed a 5,000-lb trailer on a long RV trip and still felt confident, even with the reduced range. Or the family who took their R1T deep into snowy backroads and praised the vehicle’s off-road tech.

In another post we covered, a group of off-roaders took a full fleet of Rivians into challenging terrain, proving they’re more than just tech showpieces, they’re capable machines.

From My Perspective as a Young Automotive Journalist

Stories like Ashish’s remind me of the balance that comes with covering new automakers. On one hand, you want to celebrate innovation, Rivian has done what many legacy brands still haven’t. But on the other, you can’t ignore the growing pains.

I think of Ashish’s situation not just as a customer complaint, but as a case study in what happens when futuristic design collides with real-world inconvenience. A chipped light bar or cracked windshield shouldn’t turn into a multi-day ordeal. Yet, because of how interconnected everything is, software, sensors, ADAS systems, it often does.

That doesn’t mean Rivian is failing. It means they’re learning. And the more owners speak up, the better those learnings get baked into future decisions.

The Takeaway for Future Owners

Here’s the lesson: owning a Rivian is incredible, until it isn’t. It’s a vehicle that lets you explore the wilderness, haul gear, tow your camper, and look good doing it. But it also means you need to be informed and proactive when something goes wrong.

Choose a shop that can do sensor calibration. Push for a loaner when service is far. Stay connected with the community for real advice. And most importantly, understand that you’re driving something still evolving, not just mechanically, but logistically.

Tell Us Your Story

Have you had to replace a Rivian windshield? What shop did you use, and did it go smoothly?

What’s the furthest you’ve had to travel for service, and were you offered a loner, or left to figure it out?

Let us know in the comments. Your experience might help the next owner make a smarter call.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.

Image source: Rivian Press Room & Ashish's Facebook Post