Nearly 4,000 robotaxis recalled over risk of driving in construction zones

Waymo issued a recall for almost 3,900 robotaxis nationwide related to a software problem that may result in vehicles traveling into a closed freeway construction zone while continuing to drive. 

This latest recall is the second from Waymo, which is based in California, in a little over a month, Reuters reported.

Waymo robotaxi recall

Dig deeper:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filed the new recall, and it’s connected to over a dozen incidents since April in California and Arizona involving Waymo autonomous vehicles that did not identify and drove past ramp closure signs into freeway construction zones and freeway lanes with active construction sites. 

RELATED: Waymo recalls nearly 3,800 robotaxis for glitch that may allow vehicles to drive into standing water

Reuters reported that Waymo enforced freeway driving limitations until it began using improved awareness ​and responses to freeway closures. Waymo also updated vehicle software to prevent the cars from driving into construction zones. 

Waymo statement on the recall

What they're saying:

In a statement obtained by Reuters, Waymo ​stated last week that it had "identified an area of improvement regarding performance around freeway construction zones. We voluntarily restricted freeway operations last month while making improvements." 

Have Waymo vehicles been involved in other incidents?

Big picture view:

In May, Waymo pulled 3,800 robotaixs due to the vehicles entering flooded roads with higher speed limits. 

Separately on April 20, a Waymo car traveled into a flooded ‌lane in ⁠San Antonio, Texas during severe weather. According to Reuters, Waymo stated that the vehicle was unoccupied and no one was injured. However, the incident compelled the organization to evaluate similar circumstances involving high speeds and impassable flooded roads.

RELATED: Waymo recalls over 1,200 self-driving cars after minor crashes

In the past two years, Waymo issued recalls, including over possibly erroneous predicting the movement of a towed car and over a vehicle’s awareness response to pole or pole-type objects. 

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is also investigating Waymo following ​an incident in January, where one of the company’s self-driving cars hit a child near an ​elementary school ⁠in Santa Monica, California, resulting in minor injuries.

RELATED: Most drivers fear autonomous cars, AAA study says

Months later, in March, the National Transportation Safety Board stated it was probing an incident that occurred in January involving Waymo self-driving cars unlawfully ⁠driving past a ​stopped school bus with its lights activated. This incident led to Waymo issuing a recall of the vehicles in December 2025. 

 

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