Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has issued a recall for its R2 SUV, this time due to potentially under-tightened fasteners on its battery packs. Only around 14 vehicles are affected, and Rivian will repair or replace damaged components at no cost to customers. This is the second recall for the R2, the first addressing a backup camera issue, and the second focusing on battery safety.

The company is under pressure to meet its ambitious production targets, aiming to ship between 20,000 and 25,000 vehicles by the end of the year. With deliveries starting in June, Rivian must ensure the R2’s reliability to avoid any further hiccups.

Rivian first spotted the defect in September, after a manufacturing operator noticed a fastener was under-torqued. The company has since reprogrammed the assembly line to reject improperly torqued fasteners. Despite the recall, Rivian claims there have been no customer reports, accidents, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue.

The R2 is a significant vehicle for Rivian, as it marks the company’s entry into the mass market. Strong early demand and an aggressive production schedule are crucial for Rivian to achieve profitability for the first time. Any issues with the R2, even if they affect a small number of vehicles, could jeopardize these plans.