Dynamic Glass Roof Crack

[Whidbey]

I just returned from Bothell, Washington’s new Rivian service center with my 2025 R1S. I contacted Rivian because a week earlier my wife and I heard a sound like cracking glass while driving. We looked around at all the windows and saw nothing. Later, while on a step stool washing the roof, I saw a crack starting from the edge of the glass roof radiating 8” in several directions toward the center of the roof. There were no chips or signs of impact. I requested a repair on the Rivian app. I stated that I believed that this was a warrantee repair and they responded “we will let our Rivian certified technicians deem what repairs are warrantable!” I was sent an invoice for approval in the amount of $3997.90. I didn’t approve it. Upon arrival at the service center, I requested that they determine if the crack was “warrantable” before starting work. That request appeared to be unusual. We were allowed to wait for an answer. The technician “observed indicators consistent with external impact or applied stress”. We disagreed and left with no repair.

I spent several hours on Rivian forums and found that people complained that they replaced the roof glass several times at a cost of around $1,800. Forum members have remarked about the delicacy of the roof on a vehicle design for all terrain use.

We have the dynamic glass roof because we wanted the sound system packaged with it. I wish that I had fully understood the impact of my choices and the approach to service that Rivian has taken to repair before buying a $92,000 vehicle from them.

Sponsored

 

[tbinmd]

file a claim with your insurance. this would be covered under your comprehensive coverage.

Rivian is no different then any other manufacture when it comes to glass. Go search the Porsche Taycan forums and you will find similar threads about cracked roofs and if warranty should cover or not.

 

[Riviot]

I just returned from Bothell, Washington’s new Rivian service center with my 2025 R1S. I contacted Rivian because a week earlier my wife and I heard a sound like cracking glass while driving. We looked around at all the windows and saw nothing. Later, while on a step stool washing the roof, I saw a crack starting from the edge of the glass roof radiating 8” in several directions toward the center of the roof. There were no chips or signs of impact. I requested a repair on the Rivian app. I stated that I believed that this was a warrantee repair and they responded “we will let our Rivian certified technicians deem what repairs are warrantable!” I was sent an invoice for approval in the amount of $3997.90. I didn’t approve it. Upon arrival at the service center, I requested that they determine if the crack was “warrantable” before starting work. That request appeared to be unusual. We were allowed to wait for an answer. The technician “observed indicators consistent with external impact or applied stress”. We disagreed and left with no repair.

I spent several hours on Rivian forums and found that people complained that they replaced the roof glass several times at a cost of around $1,800. Forum members have remarked about the delicacy of the roof on a vehicle design for all terrain use.

We have the dynamic glass roof because we wanted the sound system packaged with it. I wish that I had fully understood the impact of my choices and the approach to service that Rivian has taken to repair before buying a $92,000 vehicle from them.

Can you take another pic from further away? And multiple angles would help.

 

[VSG]

If it's an impact it's an insurance claim. You will be out your deductible. Sucks, but happens all the time - glass gets broken, that's its nature.

The dynamic glass is obviously going to cost way more than standard clear glass. But you're still only out your deductible.

My 4-year-old R1T with 40k miles still has all its original glass. While glass does get broken as I said, I have seen no evidence that Rivians are either more or less subject to glass damage than other vehicles.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

If it's an impact it's an insurance claim. You will be out your deductible. Sucks, but happens all the time - glass gets broken, that's its nature.

The dynamic glass is obviously going to cost way more than standard clear glass. But you're still only out your deductible.

My 4-year-old R1T with 40k miles still has all its original glass. While glass does get broken as I said, I have seen no evidence that Rivians are either more or less subject to glass damage than other vehicles.

Windshield glass is a bit more susceptible than other manufacturers but that's due to the angle of the windshield.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Unless delivered as new with crack, nearly all OEMs will rule wear and tear and not covered. Even if you claim to not have witnessed impact. This is what you have comprehensive auto insurance for. IIRC from past threads, the dynamic roof is 2800.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Unless delivered as new with crack, nearly all OEMs will rule wear and tear and not covered. Even if you claim to not have witnessed impact.

Witnessing the impact wouldn’t help with a warranty repair. It would cut against it.

Rivian’s determination that it is likely from impact will hopefully make it easier with the comprehensive claim. Pay the deductible, make sure they use OEM glass, and move on. Should be no impact on rates.

 

[tate16t]

The initial charge was just an estimate. Rivian, and Tesla by the way provide initial estimates for all repairs. Perhaps your estimate was due to the dynamic roof?

My wife’s Tesla experienced a crack in the glass roof. Tesla determined it was stress due to the lack of an impact point and fixed it under warranty. The current pic doesn’t show a point of impact. Could you take a pic further away from the outside?

 

[Whidbey]

Here are some photos from different angles. Sorry for the tree reflections. My first 2018 Tesla had a small crack starting from the trunk a month or two after purchase. Only 1" long. They fixed it under warranty, no questions asked. Yes, I may be able to get my insurance to pay for it. But shouldn't the responsible party take the financial hit? Insurance companies raise rates as required to cover their costs. My biggest concern is why did it crack. I have read on this forum about people that have had their roofs replaced several times. Rivian never said bring it in and we will take a look at it. They immediately set up a replacement and charge without asking to see the problem. 4,000?

 

[tate16t]

It’s hard to tell based on those photos, but I can’t see an impact, especially since it started from the edge, it’s more like stress to me. Did you escalate within Rivian?

 

[Whidbey]

How do I go about escalating within Rivian? Through the
app?

 

[cbrcanuck]

Agreed. Starting from the edge like that pretty much rules out impact in my book (note, my book is very much non-professional in terms of glass repair)

 

[tate16t]

How do I go about escalating within Rivian? Through the
app?

I have never escalated with Rivian however I would start by calling Service at (855) RIVIAN5 and ask the agent to transfer you directly to a Service Manager and politely explain your situation and expectations.

If anyone else has been through an escalation, please respond.

 

[Ecupip]

File it under the insurance and be done. Even with stress crack it’s going to be very difficult to get a manufacture to replace the glass. Stress cracks can come from hitting a pot hole, sun or temperature swings, or regular body flex’s.

 

[SASSquatch]

Windshield glass is a bit more susceptible than other manufacturers but that's due to the angle of the windshield.

This, exactly.

Sponsored