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Rivian (NASDAQ:RIVN) just hit another bump in the roadthis time, it's a recall of 17,260 vehicles over a headlight malfunction that could make night driving a gamble in cold weather. The issue? The low beams on certain 2025 R1S SUVs and R1T pickups might not turn on when starting the vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents. Rivian is swapping out the faulty headlight control modules for free, blaming the problem on incorrectly configured supplier parts. While the company says there have been no reported accidents or injuries, this recall adds to the growing list of challenges Rivian is navigating as it works toward profitability.
This comes at a rough moment. Rivian recently warned of a surprise drop in 2025 deliveries, even as it aggressively cuts costs to reach profitability. The company is betting big on slashing raw material and supply chain expenses to stay in the game, but recalls like this put pressure on its quality control. Scaling an EV business isn't just about efficiencyit's about keeping customers confident in the product. And with competition in the electric truck and SUV space heating up, Rivian can't afford too many missteps.
Investors aren't thrilled. Rivian's stock dropped 4% at 11.18am today. While the financial hit from the recall itself may be minimal, it feeds into a larger narrative: Rivian is still proving it can balance growth, cost-cutting, and product reliability all at once. The big question now? Whether the company's drive for efficiency keeps it on trackor sends it skidding off course.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.