The announcement recalls 13,000 vehicles delivered after discovering a loose fastener that could affect vehicle steering.
The fastener, which may not have been sufficiently torqued on a small percentage of vehicles, connects the front upper control arm and steering knuckle. This can cause loose and vibrating tires, wheel tilt and loss of steering control, according to TechCrunch.
The company stated it had been found on Sept. 28 about seven reports wherein safety issues on the fastener connecting to the steering knuckle may not have been torqued sufficiently.
“The safety of our customers will always be our top priority, and we are committed to fixing this issue on any affected vehicles as quickly as possible. We will begin immediately contacting affected customers to schedule appointments for inspections and repairs if needed. We will make any necessary adjustments free of charge at one of our service centers. The repair takes a few minutes to complete, and with customer collaboration, we have built out the capacity to complete the needed action in as little as 30 days. To date, we are not aware of any injuries that have resulted from this issue.” The company stated.
The flaw, in rare instances, can impede steering, a company spokesperson said. Noise, vibration, and harshness from the front suspension are among the symptoms of the problem, as reported by The New York Times.
“It’s important not to minimize the potential risks involved and why we are volunteering to conduct this recall,” Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe wrote in an email. “In rare circumstances, the nut could loosen fully. I want to reiterate that this is extremely rare, but it does reinforce why we are acting with such urgency and caution.”
Rivian has informed customers to call immediately if owners experience vehicle symptoms such as excessive noise, vibration, or harshness from the front suspension, or a change in steering performance or feel. Scaringe also added, if owners do not feel safe driving the vehicle, a Rivian staff will either service it as a house call or come pick it up.
The company spokesperson said in an email that they will immediately begin to contact affected customers and schedule appointments for inspections and repairs if needed.
