Earlier this week, something unexpected happened with our Rivian R1S. What started as a routine errand turned into a mystery after a powerful gust of wind left one of our doors misaligned. It still opened and closed, but not like it used to. The soft thunk had turned into a slightly off-kilter thud. When the repair quote from our Rivian service center came in, I couldn’t help but take a step back and wonder: was this really just about the wind, or was something else going on?
A Familiar Story from the Rivian Community
That evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook, and a post by a fellow owner named Bob Cramer stopped me in my tracks.
“So, windy days in Wisconsin have started,” Bob wrote. “And my wife wasn't holding onto the door tightly enough, and it was caught by the wind and overextended in the open position. The result of that is a door that doesn't close properly, but it's very difficult to see the internal damage to the hinges. I thought I would share the quote from the local authorized Rivian service center in Wisconsin. Ugh!”
His post sounded eerily familiar. It could’ve been written about our own situation.
Our Experience with the Repair Quote
In our case, the Rivian’s door got caught by a sudden gust in a grocery store parking lot. It opened wide, too wide, and we heard a distinct pop. At a glance, everything looked fine. But over the next few hours, the door became harder to shut. It still latched, but not with the seamless ease we were used to. We made an appointment at our local Rivian service center, and once they took a look, the quote came back north of $2,000. That included labor, replacement hinge parts, and potential work on the wiring inside the door.
Turns out, we’re not the only ones. Several Rivian owners have shared similar stories. In fact, Harvey, another commenter under Bob’s post, recalled a nearly identical experience: “I had the same issue with our Model X in Glacier National Park. The wind ripped the door right out of my hand. We claimed the repair under our insurance. I don’t know the actual cost. It took them a week to complete, and we had a rental paid for by insurance in the meantime.”
Why Heavy EV Doors Are More Vulnerable
This got me thinking. Are windy-day door incidents just a rare coincidence? Or are these vehicles, with their large, solid, tech-packed doors, simply more prone to this kind of damage? The Rivian R1S and R1T both have doors designed for strength, insulation, and safety. But that also means they’re heavier, and more vulnerable if wind catches them off guard.
What might seem like a minor issue, just a door out of alignment, can actually involve a web of sensitive electronics, tightly integrated seals, and safety mechanisms. You don’t want to leave it unaddressed. A misaligned door can lead to water intrusion, electronic malfunctions, or even safety concerns in a crash.
And let’s face it: these aren’t always cheap fixes. As I was researching, I stumbled upon another owner’s experience in a Torque News article about a cracked windshield and electrical issue. It started with a small problem and escalated into a much bigger ordeal. That’s the thing about modern EVs, they’re high-tech machines, and even simple repairs can involve diagnostics and recalibrations.
Excellent Service, But Still a Costly Lesson
The service we received was professional and courteous. Still, the cost and complexity of the repair made me reflect. It reminded me of another Rivian owner’s story about an HVAC issue that turned into a long saga. Again, it wasn’t about any fault in design, but how one problem can uncover several layers of intricacy.
When your vehicle is packed with features, powered door locks, tight acoustic sealing, high-quality hinges, it becomes more important than ever to take extra care in extreme weather. Especially in places like Wisconsin, Montana, or even our part of Colorado, where sudden winds are common, that care can go a long way.
It’s also worth noting that getting a repair scheduled sometimes takes time. One Rivian owner shared their experience about waiting over a month for their R1T to come back from service. Their vehicle came back in great condition, but the delay reminded them of the growing pains that come with being a newer automaker.
In our case, we were fortunate to get a service slot quickly. And the team at our local center was knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. Still, seeing the bill made me sit up a little straighter.
It’s easy to dismiss incidents like this, until it happens to you. Then, you start digging, and you realize there’s a pattern. A door blown open by the wind isn’t a reflection of poor build quality. It’s just physics. The heavier the door, the more force it carries when caught by wind. The more complex the design, the more likely that force will affect more than just the hinge.
An Opportunity to Learn and Improve
I recently wrote about a Rivian R1T service experience that took longer than expected, and one takeaway was this: the vehicles themselves are incredible, but owners need to understand what comes with that level of complexity.
And even when things don’t go perfectly, support is often just a phone call away. A recent story highlighted how Rivian support stepped up when a loaner vehicle failed, providing fast, helpful solutions. It’s reassuring to know that there’s a team standing behind the product.
A Lesson for All EV Owners
So here’s the takeaway: if you live in a windy area, or are traveling through one, treat your Rivian’s doors with care. Hold them tightly, and advise passengers to do the same. What feels like a simple tug from Mother Nature can turn into a repair appointment (and a few thousand dollars) in no time.
And no, this isn’t just a Rivian thing. Tesla Model X owners, Ford Lightning owners, even classic SUVs, all have faced the same issue. It’s just the reality of big, heavy doors and unpredictable weather.
As owners, it’s on us to learn and adapt. These vehicles are extraordinary, and with that comes a bit of responsibility. If a stronger wind damper or a reinforced check strap could help prevent this kind of damage, perhaps it’s something for automakers to explore in the future.
What’s Your Experience?
Have you ever had a door swing open too far in the wind, on any vehicle? Was it fixable, or did you need a full repair? Share your story below, we’d love to hear how you handled it.
And do you think automakers should build stronger protections into EV doors for wind resistance, or is this something we just need to be more careful about? Let’s talk in the comments.
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: Bob's Facebook Post & Rivian Press Room
