Electric vehicle maker Rivian will recall almost every vehicle it has made to tighten a loose fastener which could potentially impact steerability of its electric vehicles.
The automaker notes the recall will impact roughly 13,000 vehicles, and will require the fastener connecting each vehicle’s front upper control arm to its steering knuckle to be retorqued, as it may not have been torqued enough at the factory.
So far Rivian said there have been seven incidents potentially related to the fastener, but no injuries have resulted.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe wrote, in a letter to vehicle owners, “If you experience excessive noise, vibration or harshness from the front suspension, or a change in steering performance or feel, you should call immediately.”
The company noted the fix should only take a couple of minutes and it expects all repairs will have been completed within 30 days, with customer compliance.
The Irvine, California based company, founded in 2009, is one of many new electric automakers trying to take market share away from industry leader Tesla. Last year the company went public, and its market valuation quickly soared past both Ford and General Motors, to become the second most valuable US automaker, just behind Tesla. However since then the stock has had difficulty amid supply chain disruptions and missed projections, losing 67% year to date.
Rivian announced last month it would partner with Mercedes Benz on a factory in Europe which would produce commercial electric vans for both companies.