--- title: "NHTSA Investigating Rivian for Rear Toe Links That Fall Apart While Driving: TDS" date: "2026-05-28" modified: "2026-05-28" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nhtsa-investigating-rivian-for-rear-toe-links-that-fall-apart-while-driving-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "pickup" - "R1S" - "r1t" - "Rivian" - "suv/crossover" --- # NHTSA Investigating Rivian for Rear Toe Links That Fall Apart While Driving: TDS ![Rivian R1S and R1T rear view]() *\Rivian\* Welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or TDS for short, *The Drive’s* morning news roundup bringing you the biggest automotive headlines from around the world. *The Downshift* recaps news in a few short sentences, fit with links for the deeper story. Here’s the bulletin for Thursday, May 28, 2026. 🔧 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a probe into Rivian regarding left rear toe links in the R1S SUV and R1T pickup. The automaker had [recalled nearly 20,000 vehicles]() earlier this year for toe links that had been improperly reassembled in service; since then, two owners have reported the joint separating while driving, causing loss of control. NHTSA's investigation will assess the part's durability as well as Rivian's protocols for repair. In a statement, Rivian said, "Vehicle safety is a top priority at Rivian. Rivian data indicates R1 toe link joints are operating as intended. We are cooperating with NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation, but our internal investigation revealed that the two VOQs (vehicle owner questionnaires) upon which NHTSA is basing this Preliminary Evaluation do not implicate the joint itself." *[\[Reuters\]]()* 🚚 In other Rivian news, the company plans to deliver the first batch of R2 SUVs to buyers on June 9. *[\[TechCrunch\]]()* 🐂 Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winklemann reflected on the automaker's decision to cancel its EV in development in the wake of the Ferrari Luce's cold reception, saying that, "By observing the market ... we saw that the acceptance curve \[of EVs\] for our type of customers is not increasing, and that therefore we decided to move away from a full-electric car into a plug-in hybrid." Winklemann added that while its decision was right for Lamborghini, "every brand, every company has to decide for themselves." *[\[CNBC\]]()* 📉 Toyota reports that while production globally increased by 2% in April versus a year ago, sales fell by 3.1%, marking the third-straight month of decline for the company. *[\[Reuters\]]()* 🌎 American Honda sales VP Lance Woelfer said that he does not anticipate tariff-related price increases for Honda or Acura products this year, as the company's existing production basis in North America has seemingly insulated it from damage due to tariff increases. *[\[Automotive News\]]()* 🪫 Nio CEO William Li says that China is "no longer a growth market, but rather a saturated market," for EVs, and that the "golden era" for the country's automotive industry is over. *[\[Reuters\]]()* ***Update May 28, 3:12 p.m. Eastern:** Added Rivian's statement on NHTSA's preliminary evaluation.* *Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Send it to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()