Rivian Redesigns R2 SUV Manual Door Release System Following Industry Safety Concerns

The automotive industry has faced significant criticism regarding electronic door handle implementations, with multiple manufacturers being scrutinized for designing manual door release mechanisms that are difficult to locate and operate during emergency situations. Tesla, in particular, has been at the center of this controversy.

Rivian has reportedly redesigned the manual door release system for its upcoming R2 SUV, with recent first-look videos revealing the modifications implemented by the company.

Front Door Configuration

The front doors maintain the same mechanism used in existing R1 vehicles. The system features an electronic button for standard operation, with a manual door-release latch integrated into the front section of the interior handle assembly.

Rear Door Improvements

The rear doors incorporate an electronic button alongside a redesigned manual release mechanism. In R1 vehicles, passengers must remove a door panel to access a release cord that activates the manual latch. The R2 SUV relocates this release cord to the same front-of-handle position as the front seat manual releases.

However, the mechanism remains concealed behind a removable plastic cover, making it slightly less accessible than the front door manual releases. While the R2 SUV is scheduled for production in several months and official documentation has not been released, recent video demonstrations illustrate the release mechanism's location and operation procedure.

The manual release system, though still positioned behind a plastic panel and not immediately obvious, represents a significant improvement over the previous design by placing it in a more intuitive location rather than being completely hidden behind a door panel.

Industry-Wide Safety Implications

While such emergency situations occur infrequently, they typically arise during major collisions where rapid egress is critical. The time required to locate and operate manual releases can be the determining factor in life-threatening scenarios.

Rivian is not the only manufacturer addressing manual release accessibility. Tesla has become the most prominent example, with investigative reporting identifying at least 15 fatalities in crashes where evidence suggests occupants or first responders were unable to open vehicle doors. Tesla has committed to redesigning its door handle systems to address these safety concerns.

Electronic door latch systems have presented additional challenges across the industry. Ford issued a recall for the Mustang Mach-E to address a power-delivery issue affecting electronic door latches.

Sources:

Bloomberg: Tesla Door Safety Investigation

YouTube: R2 First Look Video

JerryRigEverything: R2 Door Release Demonstration

Road & Track: Ford Mustang Mach-E Recall