Waymo has robotaxi recall, 2nd in a month
Vehicles risk entering construction zones
By: David Shepardson
Reuters
WASHINGTON - Alphabet self-driving unit Waympo is recalling nearly 3,900 robotaxis in the United States because a software issue could cause the vehicles to enter a closed/freeway construction zone and continue driving.
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It is the second recall by Waymo in just over a month.
..... The latest recall, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, stems from more than a dozen incidents since early April [2026] in California and Arizona in which Waymo autonomous vehicles did not recognize and drove past ramp closures signs into preplanned freeway construction zones and freeway lanes with active construction work.
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The company initially imposed freeway driving restitutions until it adopted improved response to freeway closures. Waymo updated vehicle software to avoid entering construction zones.
..... Waymo told Reuters on June 18 [2026] that it had"identified an area of improvement regarding performance around freeway construction zones. We voluntarily restricted freeway operations last month. [05/2026] while making improvements."
..... Last month, [05/2026] Waymo recalled about 3,800 robotaxis because vehicles could enter flooded roads with higher speed limits. the recall followed an incident on April 20 [2026] in which a Waymo vehicle drove into a flooded lane in San Antonio during extreme weather. Waymo said the vehicle was unoccupied and there were no injuries, but the incident prompted the company to review similar scenarios involving high speed and impassable flooded roads.
..... Waymo has issued several recalls over the past two years, including over potentially inaccurately predicting the movement of a towed vehicle and over a vehicle's detection response to pole or pole-like permanent objects.
..... Separately, Waymo faces an NHTSA investigation after a self-driving vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, in January, [2026] causing minor injuries.
..... In March, [2026] the National transportation Safety Board said it was investigating a January [2026] incidence in which Waymo self-driving vehicle passed a stopped school bus with its lights activated.