Rivian is recalling its R1T and R1S electric trucks, as well as its EDV electric delivery vans, due to a potentially loose fastener that could lead to a loss of control. The California-based automaker emphasizes that the issue is rare and has only been observed in seven vehicles, but the recall effort involves nearly all electric trucks the EV manufacturer has built—around 13,000 vehicles, including 12,212 delivered to customers.
“As of September 28, 2022, Rivian became aware of seven reports potentially related to this issue that had accumulated during the production of Rivian vehicles,” the company said in a statement provided to Green Car Reports on Friday night. “The cause of the problem was determined to be a fastener with insufficient torque.”
Specifically, according to recall documents filed with the NHTSA and published on Saturday morning, the fastener connects the front upper control arm and the steering knuckle. All affected vehicles were manufactured until September 27, 2022, and are from the 2022 model year, the only model year Rivian has delivered to date.
“While to date we have only seen seven reports potentially related to this issue in our fleet, even one is too many,” said CEO RJ Scaringe in a letter sent to all Rivian customers.
“It is important not to minimize the potential risks involved and why we are volunteering to conduct this recall,” Scaringe added later. “In rare circumstances, the nut could loosen completely.”
Warning signs of separation, in rare instances, would be excessive noise, vibration, and harshness from the front suspension and/or a change in steering performance.
The recall will be a significant test for Rivian’s field service operations as it involves an in-person inspection, by a qualified technician, of each vehicle in the hands of customers. Although it is a troublesome physical repair issue that cannot be addressed with wireless updates, it is not directly related to Rivian’s battery packs, motors, or core electric propulsion hardware.
So far, Rivian has only addressed a minor service recall: a potential issue with the child airbag sensor affecting about 500 vehicles, announced last May. Lucid, the U.S.-based EV startup, also a company that had to establish its own service operations, faced a market recall of 1,117 Air electric sedans earlier this year due to wiring in the instrument panel.
For this new recall, customers are advised to call 855-748-4265 to schedule a mobile service appointment, or they can take their truck to a Rivian service center. Scaringe detailed that the company will “establish pop-up locations in high-density areas for additional coverage as well.”
In most cases, the process takes only a few minutes and is as simple as tightening the fastener “to a higher torque tolerance.” Rivian says that for the relatively few cases where parts need replacing, loaner vehicles will be provided, and the vehicle will be taken to a service center.
