A routine stop at a touchless car wash turned costly for one Rivian R1T owner after a roof panel was torn off by the automated system.
What was meant to be a safe, brush-free cleaning exposed a potential risk for taller electric trucks using wash equipment calibrated primarily for lower passenger vehicles.
When calibration does not properly account for vehicle height or roof contours, those arms can become a physical hazard rather than a safe alternative.
A Rivian R1T owner has discovered that “touchless” is not synonymous with “risk-free.” While these automated systems eliminate rotating brushes, they still rely on high-pressure water jets and moving mechanical components. As this case illustrates, those elements can inflict damage even on a premium electric pickup.
In a post on Reddit, the owner explained that during his first visit to a touchless wash, a black plastic panel located at the rear section of the R1T’s roof was suddenly torn off.
That panel conceals several electronic components, including the antenna, and is held in place by clips and adhesive. Under normal circumstances, it is not meant to detach.
Images shared online reveal multiple retaining clips ripped free and adhesive strips pulled away, leaving the roof trim visibly compromised. While high water pressure or the powerful air dryers might initially seem responsible, the owner indicates a different cause.
According to his account, one of the car wash’s articulated spray arms caught beneath the rear roof panel. It appears the machinery did not correctly account for the truck’s height. Rather than passing safely over the vehicle, the arm hooked underneath the panel and forced it upward, dislodging it in the process.
Some Reddit commenters noted that repairing the rear roof panel may require partial removal of interior trim to access the wiring routed beneath it.
The R1T’s third brake light, positioned above the rear window adjacent to the damaged area, could also need replacement depending on the extent of the damage.
Responsibility for repair costs now shifts to insurance providers. The owner stated that the car wash’s insurer has agreed to cover the damage, though that likely entails a period of claims processing and negotiation.
Meanwhile, the truck could remain in a repair facility for weeks awaiting parts and labor. What was intended as a routine wash has turned into a prolonged repair process.
Incidents involving automated wash systems and taller vehicles are not entirely uncommon. Pickup trucks, SUVs with roof racks, and vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessories have previously experienced contact with wash arms when sensors fail to detect height changes accurately.
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