The Rivian R2 hasn’t been in customer hands for very long, yet it’s already facing its second recall. This time, the problem can’t be fixed by sending the SUV a software update overnight.
Rivian discovered that a fastener associated with the R2’s high-voltage battery system may not have been tightened correctly during production. If the connection fails, the vehicle could suddenly lose power while being driven.
Fortunately for Rivian, this is an extremely small recall. According to the NHTSA filing, just 14 R2s built at the company’s Normal, Illinois factory are potentially affected.
Rivian says the vehicles are already at service centers, where technicians will inspect the connection and properly torque the fastener or replace damaged components if necessary. Repairs will be performed at no cost to owners.
A Factory Worker Found The Problem
The issue was discovered on September 17 when a manufacturing operator noticed an under-torqued fastener after it had passed through an automated tightening station. Rivian subsequently investigated the problem and identified a small batch of potentially affected vehicles.
The company also reprogrammed the automated station so that incorrectly torqued fasteners are rejected. According to NHTSA recall campaign 26V625, the 14 potentially affected R2s were manufactured between May 18 and August 27, 2026.
There isn’t necessarily any warning before the connection fails, according to the recall report. Rivian told NHTSA that it was unaware of any related customer complaints, crashes, injuries, or deaths when the report was submitted.
This Is Already The R2’s Second Recall
Rivian’s first R2 recall arrived in September and involved the rearview camera display. That campaign covered 2,481 R2s, along with certain R1S and R1T models, and could be addressed through an over-the-air software update.
The latest issue requires hands-on attention because technicians need to inspect the physical battery connection. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed around November 28, while affected VINs will also become searchable through NHTSA.
The R2 Launch Is Important For Rivian
Two recalls arriving this early aren’t ideal for a vehicle carrying as much responsibility as the R2. Rivian designed the smaller SUV to reach far more customers than the expensive R1 lineup, with the R2 Standard priced from $44,990.
The company has said it wants to deliver between 20,000 and 25,000 R2s by the end of 2026 after customer deliveries began in June. Rivian is also adding production capacity as it works toward that target.
A 14-vehicle recall is tiny compared with the planned production run, and catching a manufacturing problem quickly is exactly what quality-control systems are supposed to accomplish. For Rivian, the bigger challenge will be making sure these early production hiccups don’t become a recurring theme as R2 output accelerates.