Rivian recalls 13,000 electric vehicles due to potential steering control issue
Rivian has informed customers that it is recalling 13,000 electric vehicles, nearly all of the electric trucks and SUVs it has ever delivered, due to an issue that could render drivers unable to steer and to control their vehicles. The company issued the recall after learning of seven reports in which a fastener connecting the steering knuckle to the vehicle's upper control arm "may not have been sufficiently tightened," according to Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.
In the letter sent to customers, CEO RJ Scaringe said the company was recalling vehicles despite the small number of reported defects "out of an abundance of caution". He said the binding could loosen in "rare circumstances" and lead to loss of steering control, but no injuries related to the issue had been reported.
Rivian currently offers two models, namely the R1T truck and the R1S SUV, but it also manufactures electric delivery trucks for its minority owner Amazon at its plant in Normal, Illinois. Like most players in the automotive and technology sectors, global supply chain issues over the past two years have impacted its production capacity. It even attempted to raise the price of its R1T pickup truck by $12,000 due to inflation and component shortages earlier this year, though it quickly reversed its decision after customer backlash. /p>
In July 2022, the automaker announced that it had nearly doubled its production to 4,401 vehicles for the second quarter of the year compared to the first. That's a fraction of the output of other automakers - rival Tesla, for example, made 258,580 electric vehicles in the same period - but it's a positive step towards meeting its goal of producing 25. 000 vehicles in 2022.
This recall should not prevent the company from achieving this goal, and the automaker hopes to be able to verify all affected vehicles within 30 days. Rivian told customers they can take their vehicles to service centers to have the fasteners on their vehicles tightened in minutes. The company also said it can send mobile repair vans to customers. Those with possible symptoms of the issue, such as noise and vibration, may want to consider this option.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
Rivian has informed customers that it is recalling 13,000 electric vehicles, nearly all of the electric trucks and SUVs it has ever delivered, due to an issue that could render drivers unable to steer and to control their vehicles. The company issued the recall after learning of seven reports in which a fastener connecting the steering knuckle to the vehicle's upper control arm "may not have been sufficiently tightened," according to Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.
In the letter sent to customers, CEO RJ Scaringe said the company was recalling vehicles despite the small number of reported defects "out of an abundance of caution". He said the binding could loosen in "rare circumstances" and lead to loss of steering control, but no injuries related to the issue had been reported.
Rivian currently offers two models, namely the R1T truck and the R1S SUV, but it also manufactures electric delivery trucks for its minority owner Amazon at its plant in Normal, Illinois. Like most players in the automotive and technology sectors, global supply chain issues over the past two years have impacted its production capacity. It even attempted to raise the price of its R1T pickup truck by $12,000 due to inflation and component shortages earlier this year, though it quickly reversed its decision after customer backlash. /p>
In July 2022, the automaker announced that it had nearly doubled its production to 4,401 vehicles for the second quarter of the year compared to the first. That's a fraction of the output of other automakers - rival Tesla, for example, made 258,580 electric vehicles in the same period - but it's a positive step towards meeting its goal of producing 25. 000 vehicles in 2022.
This recall should not prevent the company from achieving this goal, and the automaker hopes to be able to verify all affected vehicles within 30 days. Rivian told customers they can take their vehicles to service centers to have the fasteners on their vehicles tightened in minutes. The company also said it can send mobile repair vans to customers. Those with possible symptoms of the issue, such as noise and vibration, may want to consider this option.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
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