Rivian May Have Botched A Suspension Service, So It’s Recalling 20,000 EVs

• Rivian is recalling nearly 20,000 R1S and R1T EVs for an issue that can’t be fixed with a software update.
• The affected cars may have had some suspension work done in the past, but the service procedure was wrong.
• The company will install new bolts using an updated service procedure.

Rivian has issued its first recall this year, for an issue that cannot be resolved with a software update. Nearly 20,000 R1S and R1T electric cars built between 2022 and 2025 will need to be checked by service technicians for an issue that could have popped up after the American EV startup did work on these EVs. This means that some facelifted models are included.

According to the official recall report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian is recalling certain model year 2022 to 2025 R1T pickups and R1S SUVs that may have had work done on their rear suspension that involved the separation and reassembly of a toe link joint.

2025 Rivian R1S

Photo by: Rivian

The problem was the service procedure itself. Rivian updated it on March 10, 2025, but all R1S and R1Ts built until then are included in the recall because their rear toe link joints may separate, which could lead to a crash without any prior warning.

To fix the potential issue, the American EV startup will replace any potentially affected rear toe link bolts on the cars included in this recall, using the updated service procedure.

Rivian said it investigated the issue after “a very small number” of toe link joint failures were reported, and that after the investigation ended, it revised its service procedures and training. After the updated service procedure was adopted, Rivian has not reported any toe link failures.

That said, the NHTSA told the automaker in December that it received two customer complaints related to the toe link failures associated with repairs done before March 10, 2025. Moreover, Rivian said it knows of one vehicle crash with alleged minor injuries related to the issue covered by this recall.