--- title: "Rivian R1T Fender Bender Turns Into $42,000 Repair Bill" description: "A Rivian R1T owner claims that a fender bender requires $42,000 in repairs, due to the high costs of labor." date: "2023-05-04" modified: "2023-05-04" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-r1t-fender-bender-turns-into-42000-repair-bill" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Rivian News" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "pickup" - "r1t" - "Rivian" --- # Rivian R1T Fender Bender Turns Into $42,000 Repair Bill ![]() Back in February, [Rivian R1T]() owner Chris Apfelstadt was rear-ended in a pretty low-speed fender bender. The rear bumper looked a bit damaged but nothing too serious. However, after taking it to a certified [Rivian]() repair shop, Apfelstadt said the total repair cost was an eye-watering $42,000. According to Apfelstadt, the other driver's insurance company estimated the repair cost to be $1,600 and sent Apfelstadt a check. However, when he took his Rivian to one of only three certified shops in central Ohio, the repair bill was just a bit higher than that. The shop allegedly gave Apfelstadt a detailed cost breakdown, documented every step of the repair, and provided photos for proof. The $42,000 repair cost, along with Apfelstadt's rental car cost, was very close to maxing out the other driver's $50,000 insurance payout limit. "The biggest story here is that what appears to be a minor accident on the surface can be much more costly to fix. The truck is designed \[to\] absorb the impact to limit injuries to the driver and passengers. So in the event of a collision, they need to inspect a lot of parts to make sure they were not damaged," Apfelstadt told *The Drive*. "I understand the total repair cost is shocking, but the shop followed the book written by Rivian!" ![]() One of the photos that Apfelstadt posted to [Facebook](), which is said to be from the repair shop, shows a completely disassembled bed, devoid of any body panels, and even missing its rear glass. "The back quarter panel was damaged and that piece goes all the way from the tailgate to the front windshield," Apfelstadt told us. However, Redditor and fellow Rivian R1T owner [Earlgr3yh0t]() was also rear-ended a few months back, except their rear quarter panel had a basketball-sized dent just below the taillight. They took the R1T to a certified Rivian body shop who said the entire rear quarter panel, as well as some tailgate internals, needed replacing. The total cost of replacing an entire body panel and some tailgate bits was reportedly just over $14,000. So a $42,000 rear bumper replacement seems exorbitant, but Apfelstadt says he's happy with his truck. "The shop did a really good job. The body, the paint, and every detail looks exactly like it did when the truck was brand new. These guys are experts in EVs and while I'm sure another shop may have done the work cheaper, I don't think anyone could do it better," he said. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()