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Rivian Recalls 14 R2 Electric SUVs Over Battery Fastener Defect
Rivian is recalling 14 R2 electric SUVs after a high-voltage battery fastener was found to be improperly tightened, creating a risk of sudden drive power loss. The defect was discovered at the company's Illinois plant in September, and owner notifications are due in late November.
By George Kensington · 3 min read
Rivian is recalling 14 examples of its new R2 electric SUV after identifying a manufacturing defect that could cause the vehicles to lose drive power without warning. The problem centres on a high-voltage battery fastener that may not have been tightened correctly during assembly, increasing the risk of a crash.
According to a safety recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the under-torqued fastener was first spotted in September, when an employee discovered the issue at the company's production facility. An investigation followed, and it identified a small batch of R2s built between 17 and 24 September that could be affected. All 14 vehicles covered by the recall are believed to carry the defect.
The automaker has traced the fault to an automated station on the production line, which has since been reprogrammed to reject improperly torqued fasteners. Rivian says it is not aware of any customer reports, accidents, or injuries linked to the issue. The remedy is expected to be straightforward: service centres will inspect and repair the battery connection, replacing any components found to be damaged.
Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed in late November. The recall marks the second for the R2 in as many months, following a separate action in September. The repeated recalls are beginning to accumulate for a model that Rivian has positioned as a critical volume seller.
The R2 is the company's newest electric vehicle and a central part of its push into a more affordable segment of the market. The recall affects only a tiny fraction of production, but it arrives at a sensitive moment for the manufacturer as it works to scale output and convince investors of its operational discipline.
In a separate update, Rivian reported its third-quarter production and delivery figures. The company built 19,751 vehicles at its plant in Normal, Illinois, and delivered 19,248 to customers. Rivian described both numbers as in line with its projected outlook and reaffirmed its target of delivering between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles this year.
A fuller picture of the company's financial and operational performance is expected when Rivian releases its third-quarter results on 29 October. Until then, the recall serves as a reminder of the manufacturing risks that accompany rapid production ramp-ups in the electric vehicle sector.
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