Rivian R1T Faces Steep Repair Bills

Repairing a Rivian R1T can be as costly as buying a new car, with one owner facing a $21,149 repair bill, highlighting the high maintenance costs of Evs.

The Rivian R1T, an electric pickup truck, may not be the most affordable option on the market, and unfortunately, the cost of repairs follows suit. A Rivian R1T owner shared on Reddit their experience with hefty repair bills after their vehicle was damaged. The total cost for repairs reached a staggering $21,149.16—a sum that could alternatively purchase a brand new, high-end Nissan Versa SR, and nearly amounts to a quarter of a fully-equipped R1T’s price tag.

The truck sustained significant damage to its left rear quarter after being hit by a semi while parked. The damage included a broken LED lamp housing and extensive body dents. Following repairs at a Rivian-certified shop, the vehicle was restored to look as good as new, with the owner sharing photos of both the damage and the repaired truck.

The breakdown of the repair bill revealed high costs, with parts alone costing $4,580.95, presumably for the lamp housing. Labor costs varied, with charges of $120 per hour for body and refinishing work, $165 per hour for structural repairs, and $195 per hour for mechanical work. Over half of the total repair bill was attributed to labor costs.

After a two-month dispute, the owner of the semi-truck ultimately covered the repair expenses. This incident underscores a broader issue within the electric vehicle industry, where high repair costs are becoming a common concern, previously highlighted by incidents involving vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and various Tesla models. These high costs often lead to discussions between automakers and insurance companies on whether to repair or write off damaged EVs.