(October 10, 2022) Electric vehicle maker Rivian will recall about 13,000 vehicles it delivered to customers after discovering a minor structural defect. Irvine, California-based Rivian will recall the vehicles because a fastener “may not have been sufficiently torqued,” CEO RJ Scaringe said in a letter to customers that was seen by Bloomberg News.

The electric truck and SUV maker said it discovered a fastener connecting the upper control arm and steering knuckle may have been improperly installed. In rare cases, the problem could lead to a loss of steering control, the company said.

The 13,000 recalled vehicles represent nearly all of vehicles delivered to customers — even though the issue was discovered only in seven, “out of an abundance of caution.” The company said it isn’t aware of any injuries resulting from the issue. The cost of the recall isn’t material, according to a person familiar with matter.

The recall is a setback to Rivian, which has only recently overcome production problems and parts shortages to deliver its EVs to customers in meaningful volumes. The company also had to deal with the fallout of an embarrassing U-turn in March to raise prices on preorders.

Rivian builds the battery-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV. It also has a deal with Amazon.com Inc., one of its biggest shareholders, to build 100,000 EV delivery vans by the end of this decade.

Source: Automotive News