Rivian R1S Tailgate Restoration: Precision Repairs for the Split-Gate Design
The Rivian R1S is defined by its versatility, and a huge part of that is the split tailgate. It’s a brilliant feature for loading gear or sitting at a campsite, but it presents a unique challenge when it comes to collision repair. At Fix Auto Poway , we are a Rivian Certified Collision Center . This week, we restored a Limestone R1S that suffered a nasty corner impact, highlighting exactly why you need a certified team to handle these complex electric SUVs. The "Before": A Crunch on the Corner In the "Before" photos, you can see the damage concentrated on the lower left corner of the tailgate and the rear bumper fascia. The impact buckled the aluminum skin of the lower gate and disrupted the panel gaps. On a standard SUV, a liftgate is just one piece. On the R1S, it is two. The lower tailgate (which supports weight) must align perfectly with the upper liftgate to ensure a water-tight seal and smooth operation. Even a millimeter of misalignment here can lead to wate...