Rivian Recalls R2 SUVs Over Improperly Tightened Battery Pack Fasteners

Rivian has issued a recall for a small number of R2 electric SUVs after discovering that fasteners securing the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened correctly during production.

According to the NHTSA recall filing, improperly tightened fasteners could allow electrical connections to loosen and potentially cause a loss of propulsion while driving. Rivian estimates that about 14 R2 vehicles may be affected.

The company said it will inspect affected vehicles and repair or replace components as necessary. Rivian told regulators it was not aware of any crashes, injuries, fatalities or customer complaints tied to the defect.

Manufacturing issue traced to automated assembly

Rivian first identified the problem on September 17 at its Normal, Illinois factory, where an employee found an under-torqued fastener produced by an automated assembly station. The company investigated the equipment and reprogrammed the station to reject fasteners that were not tightened to the required specification.

Reports of R2 owners being contacted for high-voltage battery inspections had circulated before the formal recall. RivianTrackr reported that at least one owner was told to stop driving immediately and had the vehicle towed to a service centre.

This is the second recall involving the R2 since deliveries began. Rivian addressed an earlier issue affecting rearview camera visibility through a software update.

R2 remains central to Rivian’s growth plans

The R2 is Rivian’s first vehicle aimed at a broader mass-market audience and is central to the company’s effort to increase production and improve its financial performance.

Rivian has targeted 20,000 to 25,000 R2 deliveries by the end of 2026. To support that ramp, the automaker has been preparing to add a second production shift at its Illinois factory.

The company has also pointed to strong early demand for the more affordable R2 as it works to expand beyond its higher-priced R1 lineup.

Although the battery-pack recall affects only a small number of vehicles, it comes during a closely watched production ramp for a model important to Rivian’s next stage of growth.