Small Dent Near Logo at Delivery - How to Handle Possible Big Repair?

[NorCalChris]

Among the few issues I've found during delivery with my R1S last month was a dent on the drivers side door panel just below the Rivian logo. It's minor, but in the right light, very noticeable and driving me up the wall every time I see it. My R1 is at the service center getting delivery issue taken care of today and they just called with news that the paint-less dent repair person said they couldn't fix it in that location. They are saying it would need to go to a body shop and have the "panel replaced".

I'm now concerned about this knowing that this "panel" is actually part of the side body structure of the vehicle, and R1Ss have been totaled by insurance carriers for dents on this panel. I'm waiting on a call back from the service manager to talk options, but want to get opinions of everyone here about this. Does anyone have any idea to the time it takes to get this kind of repair done? How about the condition to the vehicle long term after being essentially completely taken apart to replace the whole side? While I know in the grand scheme of things this dent is small and I'm being very nit-picky about it, but should I push to have the vehicle replaced? I'm so concerned about a repair of this level being done on a brand new R1.

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[NorCalChris]

 

[Redline]

I have a small white blemish on the black trim near the roof. It's actually part of the metal, not trim, and when I brought it up during my first apt to fix some of the initial quality stuff, they said a body shop would have to take care of it. I told them to hold off on it.

 

[harkco]

I get the OCD - I'm the same way, but I don't know if replacing the whole panel would be worth it - even under warranty. More likely to create a new issue in the my experience. Let us know what you decide.

 

[ATL_R1S]

I'd be on the phone with some different PDR experts to get their opinions because I have a strong feeling that can be PDR'd more easily than they are stating at the SC.

 

[NorCalChris]

I get the OCD - I'm the same way, but I don't know if replacing the whole panel would be worth it - even under warranty. More likely to create a new issue in the my experience. Let us know what you decide.

This is exactly my fear... more issues. But yeah, the OCD, it's going to bother me as long as I have the vehicle.

 

[TheWoo]

I hear you - that's frustrating. I'm sorry it's happened to you. But, I can also almost guarantee you aren't going to get a replacement vehicle over it, and then you have to weigh whether it's worth it to have them take it apart and put it back together.

I'm in agreement with the comment above - I'd be checking around for other places to see if someone has been successful with one of these and could repair it.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Go over the vehicle/inspect it carefully and if you can launch it and stomp it mechanically. If you don't have any issues, you should keep it.

When I say stomp on it, I mean get it in sport lowest and firm, maybe even reduce your stability and find a nice open road in Mexico to go 0-60 multiple times. Try some off road paths where you can test the suspension / articulation.

If your car is perfect and I mean 100% mechanically perfect after all that with only one tiny little dent you mentioned.

GET IT REPAIRED.

I had a similar dent on the driver side door and I think it probably happened during shipping from the factory. I was 100% happy with the vehicle mechanically and needed some cosmetic body work similar to what you mentioned.

I decided to keep the car and work with Rivian/their authorized body shop to get the vehicle just right how it should've been delivered to me. There is no guarantee a replacement will not have any issues.

On my vehicle they had to remove multiple panels, trims pieces, bumper and lights / door to get it all right. They were able to use glue-pull on the door to have the dent repaired. They painted the body panels and blended where necessary.

It's 100% buttoned up after repair and in my opinion better than factory standards. Rivian was extremely detailed and diligent to get it looking right. They even did a paint correction to bring it all back to factory fresh so I could PPF the entire vehicle like I wanted to since day 1 of taking delivery.

I would personally keep it and have it repaired to a condition better than it is right now.

I've put 10,000 HARD miles (on road and off-road) on my car and it's been reliable and a blast to drive daily.

Take a look a the journey from pre-delivery day to body shop intensive surgery and post-operation PPF application admiring the sunset.

 

[Nacho Rivian]

Among the few issues I've found during delivery with my R1S last month was a dent on the drivers side door panel just below the Rivian logo. It's minor, but in the right light, very noticeable and driving me up the wall every time I see it. My R1 is at the service center getting delivery issue taken care of today and they just called with news that the paint-less dent repair person said they couldn't fix it in that location. They are saying it would need to go to a body shop and have the "panel replaced".

I'm now concerned about this knowing that this "panel" is actually part of the side body structure of the vehicle, and R1Ss have been totaled by insurance carriers for dents on this panel. I'm waiting on a call back from the service manager to talk options, but want to get opinions of everyone here about this. Does anyone have any idea to the time it takes to get this kind of repair done? How about the condition to the vehicle long term after being essentially completely taken apart to replace the whole side? While I know in the grand scheme of things this dent is small and I'm being very nit-picky about it, but should I push to have the vehicle replaced? I'm so concerned about a repair of this level being done on a brand new R1.

Mine has a similar depression on the panel. I know it is there… but I would not bring it up as an issue to be repaired. My S ‘s other issues got repaired and adjusted at SC but I know that that depression better to be left alone. Believe me….if it is touched or attempted by a wrong person, it will create more problem. It is an awesome vehicle so enjoy first and just don’t look at it…

 

[Rividiculous]

I respect your attention to detail and totally understand how that would be upsetting. I’m pretty uptight about that kind of thing. That said, from the video, I’d say think about whether you can just live with it. You will be saving yourself a lot of time and energy if you can accept the blemish and live with it. We all have imperfections and maybe you can embrace it as part of your Rivian’s rugged individualism. In the video, it looks almost like ripples on water. (There’s even some potential for naming your Rivian after it. “Ripley” perhaps?)

Easier said than done, I know, but tossing it out there for your consideration.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I have seen this dent / crease on few Rivians and to me it seems like its a side-effect of the casting process from the factory. This reminds me of some of the dents / dimples around the door handle. Its just part of the Rivians quirks that come with the territory

I personally would not care to repair or replace a vehicle for this specific type of dent or crease.

I would only work on it If its a dent that can easily be fixed and the body part is easily replaceable / not structural.

 

[DaveA]

The Out of Spec detailer review of current Rivian build quality said this crease/blemish/dent-like issue is common on most R1S models and he has detailed quite a few. Casting issue.

Go to 33:00...that being said, yours does look a little worse than his example.

 

[NorCalChris]

The Out of Spec detailer review of current Rivian build quality said this crease/blemish/dent-like issue is common on most R1S models and he has detailed quite a few. Casting issue.

Go to 33:00...that being said, yours does look a little worse than his example.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, leaning towards living with it. Especially after seeing this video.

 

[KRG]

Yeah I have a couple little “dents” around mine. They’re not very noticeable unless you’re looking for them. Didn’t even notice them until weeks after getting the truck. I’m not gonna sweat it. I freakin love my Rivian quirks and all. I hear ya though. I am also ocd aboht this stuff. I sold a car once bc I couldn’t unsee where it had a minor repair.

Now my Tesla had inconsistent paint where you could literally see differences in the depth of the color and a weird marbleized effect from uneven paint in some areas. THAT I couldn’t stand and had it wrapped.

 

[Hillbilly]

Get a loaner and let them fix it. We've had a few issues and although it may take a while, you will be sparing your own vehicle some mileage.

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