Rivian R2 Second Recall Over Loose Battery Fastener

The Rivian R2 second recall fastener issue has landed just months after the electric SUV started reaching customers. Rivian is voluntarily recalling 14 model-year 2027 R2 vehicles after a manufacturing operator spotted an improperly torqued fastener on the SUV’s high-voltage battery — a lapse that could cause the vehicle to suddenly lose motive power without warning.

To be clear from the outset, this is not a repeat of the R2’s first recall. The first recall — a rearview-camera issue affecting 98,828 vehicles, which we covered here — was a software problem fixed with an over-the-air update. This new campaign is a physical manufacturing defect inside the battery system, and it requires a hands-on service visit.

The Rivian R2 Second Recall Fastener: What the NHTSA Filing Says

The new safety campaign is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as 26V625. It covers 14 MY2027 R2 examples built from May 18 to August 27, 2026, at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory, according to Autoblog.

The filing concerns a high-voltage battery circuit fastener that may not have been properly tightened during vehicle assembly. An improperly tightened fastener can cause an intermittent or complete loss of electrical connection, leading to a sudden loss of drive power while the vehicle is being operated. NHTSA notes that there is no warning before the failure occurs, and that an unexpected loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash.

Notably, Rivian estimated that 100 percent of the recall population has the defect — a figure that underscores how confidently the company has traced the affected batch. Rivian’s internal recall number for the campaign is FSAM-1888.

The Rivian R2 Second Recall Fastener: How Rivian Found It

According to AutoGuide, the problem surfaced on September 17, 2026, when a manufacturing operator noticed an under-torqued fastener on an R2 unit — after the part had already passed through the plant’s automated torque station. The discovery triggered a week-long investigation, after which Rivian opted for a voluntary safety recall.

The automaker has since reprogrammed the automated station so that it rejects fasteners that do not meet the required torque value, and it says vehicle assembly after August 27, 2026 does not carry the defect. Per NHTSA, Rivian technicians will inspect the connection on potentially affected vehicles and tighten it or replace any damaged high-voltage components, free of charge.

What Happens Next for Owners

The practical fallout for owners should be minimal. TechCrunch reports that Rivian told it all affected vehicles are already at service centers, where technicians are inspecting them to properly torque the fastener or replace damaged components at no cost to customers. In a statement, Rivian said it has no customer reports, accidents, or injuries associated with the condition.

Formal owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on or before November 29, 2026, with VINs searchable on NHTSA.gov from late November. Affected owners can reach Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261, referencing recall number FSAM-1888.

Why This Matters More Than the Numbers Suggest

Fourteen vehicles is a tiny recall population — but the timing and nature of the Rivian R2 second recall fastener campaign carry outsized weight. The R2 is the first Rivian vehicle aimed at the mass market, competing directly with the Tesla Model Y, and the company is counting on it to drive the path toward profitability. Two recalls within months of launch is the kind of early-quality narrative Rivian needs to kill quickly, especially after its first R2 campaign.

The broader business backdrop is solid: Rivian delivered 19,248 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, and full-year guidance calls for 65,000 to 70,000 deliveries, according to Autoblog. The trim rollout continues — the flagship R2 Performance starts at $57,990 and is on sale now, the mid-spec Premium follows in late 2026 at $53,990, and the $44,990 Standard arrives in spring 2027.

FAQ: Rivian R2 Second Recall Fastener

What is the Rivian R2 second recall about?

It covers 14 model-year 2027 R2 SUVs (NHTSA campaign 26V625) built May 18–August 27, 2026. A high-voltage battery fastener may have been under-torqued during assembly, which can cause a sudden loss of motive power without warning.

Is this the same as the earlier R2 recall?

No — the two recalls are completely different. The first recall was a rearview-camera software issue (around 98,828 vehicles) that Rivian fixed with an over-the-air update. This new one is a physical manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery system, and it requires an in-person inspection and repair at a service center.

What should affected owners do?

Rivian says all affected vehicles are already at service centers, where the connection is being inspected, properly torqued, or replaced at no cost. Formal notification letters will be mailed on or before November 29, 2026; owners can also contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261, referencing recall FSAM-1888.

Are there any reported crashes or injuries?

No. Rivian told NHTSA and TechCrunch that it is not aware of any customer reports, accidents, injuries, or fatalities related to the improperly torqued fastener.

Sources

• Autoblog — “Rivian’s Make-or-Break EV Is Already on Its Second Recall”
• AutoGuide — “Rivian Recalls Early 2027 R2 Models for Loose Bolts”
• TechCrunch — “Rivian issues R2 recall for poorly tightened battery packs”
• NHTSA campaign 26V625 summary via OEMDTC