The Rivian R2 is facing a new safety recall involving an improperly torqued high-voltage battery fastener, just months after the electric SUV entered the market. The latest campaign covers 14 MY2027 R2 vehicles built between May 18 and August 27, 2026, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Rivian R2 Recall Involves 14 Vehicles
The latest safety campaign, identified by NHTSA as 26V625, involves a manufacturing issue involving a fastener connected to the high-voltage battery. The fastener was not properly torqued, which could cause affected vehicles to experience a loss of motive power without prior warning.
According to NHTSA, the unexpected loss of motive power could increase the risk of a crash. Rivian estimated that 100% of the recall population has the defect.
The issue was discovered on September 17, 2026, when a manufacturing operator identified an under-torqued fastener. Following a week-long investigation, Rivian decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
Rivian Reprograms Manufacturing Station
The problem points to a manufacturing issue involving an automated station. Rivian has since reprogrammed the station so it will reject improperly torqued fasteners.
NHTSA said Rivian will inspect and repair the connection on potentially affected vehicles. The automaker reportedly told TechCrunch that all of the affected vehicles are already at service centers, although the safety campaign states that owner notifications will be mailed on or before November 29, 2026.
Second Rivian R2 Safety Campaign
The latest recall follows the Rivian R2’s first safety campaign, which involved a software issue that could obstruct the rearview camera image. The same defect also affected Rivian’s larger R1T and R1S models.
Despite the second recall coming only months after the R2 entered the market, the latest campaign involves a relatively small population of vehicles. Rivian said there have been no customer reports, crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the improperly torqued fastener defect.
Rivian R2 Faces Key Role in Company’s Future
The R2 is considered an important part of Rivian’s path to profitability as the EV market becomes more challenging and affordability grows increasingly important.
Rivian does not disclose a model-by-model breakdown of its deliveries, but the company delivered 19,248 vehicles in the third quarter of this year. Its full-year guidance calls for 65,000 to 70,000 deliveries in 2026.
Rivian R2 Pricing and Availability
The Rivian R2 competes directly against the best-selling EV in the U.S., the Tesla Model Y, underscoring the model’s significance to Rivian’s lineup.
The R2 starts at $44,990 for the Standard trim, but that version will not arrive until spring 2027. The flagship Performance is currently available with a starting price of $57,990, while the mid-spec Premium is scheduled to follow in late 2026 with a starting price of $53,990.
For now, the latest recall is limited to 14 Rivian R2 vehicles, with Rivian addressing the improperly torqued battery fastener through inspection and repairs.
