Rivian controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Rivian recalls R2 SUVs over improperly tightened battery pack fasteners
Recall announced
In October 2026, Rivian issued a recall for its R2 SUV after discovering that fasteners on the high-voltage battery pack might not be properly tightened. According to the company, improperly tightened fasteners can cause a loss of power while driving. Rivian said approximately 14 vehicles may be affected and that it has resolved the issue on the assembly line. Affected vehicles are at service centers being inspected so the fastener can be properly torqued or damaged components can be replaced at no cost to customers. The recall concerns the R2 SUV and the high-voltage battery pack fasteners.
Company response
Recall — Rivian
Rivian has issued a recall for its R2 SUV after the company discovered that fasteners on its high-voltage battery pack might not be properly tightened, which can cause a loss of power while driving.
Remediation — Rivian
The company says around 14 vehicles may be affected, and that it has resolved the issue on the assembly line.
Remediation — Rivian
Rivian told TechCrunch that all of the affected vehicles are at service centers “being inspected to properly torque the fastener or replace damaged components at no cost to customers.”
Source excerpt
Rivian told TechCrunch that all of the affected vehicles are at service centers “being inspected to properly torque the fastener or replace damaged components at no cost to customers.”
The company says around 14 vehicles may be affected, and that it has resolved the issue on the assembly line.
The company says only around 14 vehicles may have been affected, and that it will repair or replace damaged components on customer vehicles as needed.
2026
Rivian recalls 3,829 R1S and R1T vehicles over front turn signal failure
Recall announced
Rivian Automotive is recalling certain 2025-2026 R1S and R1T vehicles because one or both front turn signals may fail to illuminate and flash, failing to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108 and increasing crash risk. The recall potentially affects 3,829 vehicles; Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary, with owner notification letters expected to be mailed September 29. This is an expansion of recall 25V387.
Company response
Recall — Rivian Automotive
Source excerpt
This recall potentially affects 3,829 vehicles. Rivian will inspect and replace the front turn signals as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 29.
2026
NHTSA announces multiple vehicle safety recalls
Recall announced
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a series of safety recalls affecting passenger cars, electric vehicles, commercial buses, and heavy trucks. Among the vehicles named were the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, the Rivian R1S and R1T, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and BZ Woodland, Blue Bird school buses, Thomas Built Buses, and Volvo and Mack trucks, along with other vehicles. The recalls provide for free repairs at dealerships.
Company response
Recall — Tesla, Inc.
Tesla, Inc. (Recall 26V507): Affects 2017–2023 Tesla Model 3 and 2020–2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles due to low beam headlights that may be too bright, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108.
Recall — Rivian Automotive, LLC
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Recall 26V508): Involves 2025–2026 Rivian R1S and R1T models where front exterior turn signals may fail, breaching FMVSS 108 requirements.
Recall — Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Recall 26V511 & 26V512): Recalls apply to the 2025–2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid for a potential blank instrument cluster display (violating FMVSS 101, 108, 114, and 208) and the 2026 Toyota BZ Woodland for deactivated Electronic Stability Control, non-compliant with FMVSS 126.
Recall — Blue Bird Body Company
Blue Bird Body Company (Recalls 26V519 & 26V520): Covers 2023–2027 Blue Bird Vision School Buses, 2021–2024 and 2026–2027 Vision School Buses (Electric), and 2023–2027 Vision Transit Buses. Damaged wiring in these models may disrupt critical safety functions.
Source excerpt
Rivian Automotive, LLC (Recall 26V508): Involves 2025–2026 Rivian R1S and R1T models where front exterior turn signals may fail, breaching FMVSS 108 requirements.
Jayco, Inc. (Recall 26V518): 2027 Heartland Sundance Fifth Wheel, Jayco Eagle, and Eagle SLE models are recalled because auto-leveling jacks may lower during transit.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Recall 26V511 & 26V512): Recalls apply to the 2025–2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid for a potential blank instrument cluster display (violating FMVSS 101, 108, 114, and 208) and the 2026 Toyota BZ Woodland for deactivated Electronic Stability Control, non-compliant with FMVSS 126.
2021
Former Rivian executive files gender discrimination complaint
Lawsuit filed
In November 2021, former Rivian executive Laura Schwab filed a gender discrimination complaint against the automaker. According to the complaint, Schwab alleged that Rivian fired her after she complained about a toxic workplace culture. The filing names Rivian as the company involved and describes the alleged sequence of events as stated by the complainant. No further details, outcomes, or additional allegations are included in the available event summary.
Source excerpt
Laura Schwab, an executive who was a vice president of sales and marketing at the automaker until last month, filed a gender discrimination complaint with the California Superior Court in Orange County on Thursday.
In the lawsuit, Schwab alleges she was fired by Rivian after she complained of a "toxic 'bro culture'" that saw other executives exclude her from meetings and ignore her advice.
The lawsuit also alleges that she was cut out of critical strategy meetings involving her team and that other female executives were similarly excluded.
2020
Tesla sues Rivian over alleged trade secret theft
Lawsuit filed
In 2020, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian. According to the lawsuit, Rivian recruited Tesla employees with the goal of stealing Tesla trade secrets, and employees took confidential information with them when leaving Tesla to join Rivian. These are allegations made in the lawsuit; the summary does not state any findings or outcomes. The dispute concerns claimed trade secret theft in connection with Rivian's hiring of former Tesla employees.
Tesla sued Rivian, alleging that Rivian recruited Tesla employees with the goal of stealing Tesla trade secrets and that employees took confidential information when leaving for Rivian. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
Company response
Denial — Rivian
In a statement, a Rivian spokesperson called Tesla's claims "baseless."
Source excerpt
Tesla has sued EV startup Rivian, accusing it of poaching employees and asking them to bring confidential information with them, a charge the Amazon-backed automaker denies.
Rivian, in a statement, has denied the allegations.
Tesla (TSLA) has filed a lawsuit against its electric truck rival Rivian, claiming that the company poached its employees and stole trade secret information, Bloomberg was the first to report.