Rivian Recalls R2 SUV Over Battery Pack Fastener Torque Defect

Rivian has issued a recall for its R2 SUV after discovering that fasteners on its high-voltage battery pack may not have been properly tightened, which could result in a loss of power while driving.

The company states that only approximately 14 vehicles may be affected and will repair or replace damaged components on customer vehicles as needed.

This marks the second recall for the R2, which began shipping to customers earlier this year. As Rivian’s first mass-market EV, the R2 is crucial to the company’s goal of achieving profitability for the first time. The initial R2 recall, issued last month, addressed backup camera visibility through a software update.

According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian identified the defect on September 17. A manufacturing operator at the company’s Normal, Illinois factory noticed a fastener had been “under torqued” by an automated station on the assembly line. Rivian investigated and reprogrammed the station to reject improperly torqued fasteners.

Rivian told the safety regulator that it is “not aware of any customer reports, accidents, injuries, or fatalities” related to this issue. However, Reddit users and RivianTrackr, a closely followed industry blog, reported on the issue late last month. One owner stated that Rivian’s service department instructed them to stop driving immediately, and the company subsequently towed the vehicle.

Rivian has set an aggressive target for the R2 launch, planning to ship between 20,000 and 25,000 units by year-end. With deliveries starting in June, this would represent one of the fastest new EV launches in the U.S. market if achieved. The company is adding a second production shift to meet these targets, citing strong early demand for the new, more affordable SUV.

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