Fourteen vehicles. That’s the entire scope of Rivian’s second R2 recall. It’s honestly not a reason to cancel your reservation. If you’ve been sitting on a $100 deposit wondering whether this brand-new electric SUV is turning into a lemon factory, the math says relax. This is a rounding error, not a pattern of serious defects.
Rivian filed the new recall with NHTSA on September 29. The issue traces back to a single under-torqued bolt on the high-voltage battery pack. That loose fastener can cause a sudden loss of power while driving. It’s a real safety concern for the handful of owners involved. But it’s also about as contained as a recall gets.
What exactly went wrong this time?
An improperly tightened fastener on the R2’s high-voltage battery could cause the vehicle to suddenly lose drive power while in motion. A quality-control worker at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant caught the problem on September 17. The fix is already rolling out at service centers.
The root cause is almost embarrassingly small-scale. A manufacturing operator noticed one fastener had been under-torqued by an automated station on the assembly line. Rivian then reprogrammed that station. Now it automatically rejects any fastener that doesn’t meet spec. So the defect shouldn’t repeat itself going forward.
Rivian also says it hasn’t seen any real-world consequences from the flaw. The company told regulators it isn’t aware of any customer reports, accidents, injuries, or fatalities tied to the issue. Affected vehicles were built between May 18 and August 27, 2026. Owners in that window are already having the fastener inspected. Rivian is re-torquing or replacing it for free.
Is this the Rivian R2’s second recall in just a few months?
Yes, and that pace is worth noting even if the severity isn’t alarming. The R2 only started customer deliveries in June. It’s already racked up two separate safety recalls from NHTSA in its first few months on the road.
The first recall hit in late September. It was far broader in scope, though much less serious mechanically. That campaign covered nearly 99,000 vehicles across Rivian’s entire lineup. R1T, R1S, and R2 models were all included. The problem was a software glitch where a stability-control warning could overlap the backup camera image. It sounds scary on paper. But it isn’t overly significant, and it’s not something Rivian owners should lose sleep over. Rivian fixed it with an over-the-air update. That update had already reached most affected cars before the recall notice even went public.
Here’s how the two stack up side by side:
| Recall | Date Filed | Vehicles Affected | Issue | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 – Backup Camera | September 22, 2026 | ~98,828 (R1T, R1S, R2 combined) | Warning notification could obscure rearview camera image | Over-the-air software update |
| #2 – Battery Fastener | September 29, 2026 | 14 (R2 only) | Under-torqued HV battery bolt could cause power loss | In-person inspection, re-torque, or part replacement |
Should you still reserve a Rivian R2?
Yes. Two recalls in the first few months of production is normal growing pains for a new platform. It’s not a red flag to walk away from. The actual number of cars with a real mechanical defect is tiny. Rivian caught it fast. The company also fixed the root cause at the factory before it could spread further.
New vehicle platforms almost always generate early recalls. Manufacturers use this time to iron out assembly-line quirks. Tesla’s Model Y went through similar bumps early on. So did GM’s first Ultium trucks. Neither turned into a long-term reliability disaster. Fourteen bolts out of a production run ramping toward 20,000 to 25,000 R2s by year-end isn’t evidence of a systemic quality problem. It’s evidence that Rivian’s inspection process is actually working.
If you’re still deciding whether an EV makes financial sense for your household at all, step back first. Run the numbers with our full decision framework for buying an EV in 2026 before you commit to any reservation, R2 or otherwise.
What should current reservation holders actually do?
If you already have an R2 reservation, there’s no action needed. Rivian will contact you directly if your specific VIN is affected. Only vehicles built between May 18 and August 27, 2026 qualify. Rivian is handling repairs at no cost through its service network.
Check your reservation status on Rivian’s app periodically. Order invite windows have been shifting as production ramps up. Still weighing the R2 against other mid-size electric SUVs with shorter wait times? It’s worth comparing notes with buyers tracking current Tesla Model Y wait times, since that’s the R2’s closest price-and-size competitor.
FAQ
How many Rivian R2s are affected by the battery fastener recall?
Only about 14 vehicles, all built at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant between May 18 and August 27, 2026.
Is the Rivian R2 recall a safety risk right now?
Rivian says it has no reports of accidents, injuries, or fatalities tied to the defect. Affected vehicles are already being inspected and repaired free of charge.
Will this recall delay new R2 deliveries?
No. Rivian already reprogrammed the assembly station that caused the issue. The company still plans to deliver 20,000 to 25,000 R2 units by the end of 2026.
Has the Rivian R2 had other recalls?
Yes, one other. A software recall in September 2026 covered nearly 99,000 R1T, R1S, and R2 vehicles. The issue was a backup-camera display glitch, and Rivian fixed it with an over-the-air update.