Rivian recalls 13,000 electric cars due to steering problem

Electric vehicle maker Rivian said Friday it was recalling 13,000 vehicles after identifying an issue that could affect drivers’ ability to steer some of its vehicles.

The company said that on September 28 it discovered seven reports that may be related to the safety issue and is not aware of any injuries caused by them.

The company said the recall, which covers nearly all vehicles delivered since Rivian production began late last year in Normal, Illinois, is due to “insufficient torque locking.” A company spokesperson said the flaw, in rare cases, could get in the way of the steering. Among the symptoms of the problem are noise, vibration and roughness from the front suspension.

The spokesperson said the problem affects 1 percent of vehicles, but the inability to control the steering wheel will occur in a much smaller number. Rivian emailed customers promising to make repairs for free, and plans to do so within 30 days.

“We will immediately begin contacting affected customers to schedule inspections and, if necessary, repairs,” a company spokesperson said in an email.

Rivian produces the R1T pickup truck, which starts at $73,000, and the R1S SUV, which starts at $78,000.

Rivian, the company based in Irvine, California, which has positioned itself as a competitor to Tesla, has lost its luster With investors since it completed its initial public offering last year. The company has struggled to meet production targets due to a shortage of computer chips and to make good on its promise to supply delivery trucks to Amazon, one of its biggest investors. Rivian shares are down nearly 67% since the start of the year.