Rivian Recalls 98,828 EVs Over Rearview Camera Fault

Rivian has recalled 98,828 electric vehicles in the United States because an on-screen notification can cover the rearview camera feed when the driver shifts into reverse. NHTSA received the manufacturer's report on 16 September 2026 and logged it as campaign 26V597000; the filing reached wider coverage on 23 September. It covers certain 2022-2027 R1S, 2022-2026 R1T and 2027 R2 vehicles. In NHTSA's words, "the rearview camera image may be obstructed by a notification when in reverse," which means the vehicles "fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, 'Rear Visibility.'"

The campaign matters beyond its size because it is the first to reach the R2, Rivian's newer and smaller SUV. RivianTrackr, which published a model-by-model breakdown on 23 September, puts the split at 62,259 R1S, 34,088 R1T and 2,481 R2 — a total that matches NHTSA's own figure of 98,828 units. CNBC's 23 September report used a different number, describing the recall as covering about 100,700 vehicles; NHTSA's filing lists 98,828.

For owners, the practical part is unusually painless. The remedy is a free over-the-air software update, already pushed out rather than scheduled: RivianTrackr reports that the fix ships in software version 2026.23 for R1 models and 2026.31 for the R2, and that more than 95% of affected vehicles had already received it. Rivian's internal number for the campaign is FSAM-1866. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on 9 November 2026, and NHTSA says the vehicle identification numbers involved will be searchable on its site from that date. Rivian's customer service line for the recall is 1-888-748-4261.

The safety rationale is straightforward: "An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash," NHTSA's record states. FMVSS 111 has required a rear-visibility image on new US light vehicles since 2018, and a backup camera that can be interrupted by a notification is a compliance failure even if nothing happens. According to RivianTrackr, Rivian says it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fatalities connected to the issue. NHTSA's entry carries neither a "park it" nor a "park outside" warning.

What the public record does not say is when Rivian identified the defect, which kinds of on-screen notifications trigger it, or how long a camera feed can stay covered. Several outlets have characterised the campaign as Rivian's largest US passenger-vehicle recall by unit count; NHTSA's own record makes no such comparison. Owners who want certainty rather than an assumption that their car already updated itself can check the software version in the vehicle now, or look up their VIN on NHTSA.gov once the numbers go live on 9 November.