Waymo recalls 3,791 driverless taxis

Waymo has recalled 3,791 driverless taxi systems after federal safety filings showed some vehicles could enter flooded roads instead of stopping. The recall report, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on May 6, covers the Alphabet company’s fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems used in its robotaxi fleet. Waymo said the issue came to light after an unoccupied vehicle encountered floodwater on a 40-mph road on April 20. NHTSA said the software defect could increase the risk of a crash or injury. ### What exactly did Waymo recall? NHTSA’s recall acknowledgment letter said the campaign covers 3,791 Waymo automated driving systems rather than consumer-owned cars. The affected software was installed on Waymo’s fifth- and sixth-generation systems built between March 17, 2022 and April 20, 2026, according to the Part 573 recall report. The May 11 NHTSA letter said the software “may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways.” Waymo’s filing said entering an “untraversable flooded roadway” could cause a loss of vehicle control. (static.nhtsa.gov) ### What happened on April 20? Waymo’s recall chronology said an unoccupied autonomous vehicle encountered a flooded section of roadway with a 40-mph speed limit on April 20, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) The filing said the vehicle detected potentially untraversable floodwater and proceeded at reduced speed. April 20 is also the date Waymo said it imposed additional operating restrictions in places and times with elevated flood risk. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA’s letter said all affected vehicles received an interim update by that date, including tighter weather-related constraints and map changes, while a final remedy remains under development. ### Why are Atlanta residents talking about empty Waymos circling cul-de-sacs? (static.nhtsa.gov) Atlanta residents told local broadcaster WSB, in a report republished by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on May 15, that empty Waymo vehicles had been circling Battleview Drive in northwest Atlanta for weeks. Neighbors said they first noticed the cars about two months earlier, with larger groups appearing in the past couple of weeks. (static.nhtsa.gov) One resident told WSB that about 50 Waymo cars came through between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on one recent morning, according to the Yahoo Autos republication. Another resident said a plastic “child-at-play” sign left as a roadblock caused several Waymo vehicles to become stuck while trying to turn around. Waymo told WSB it had “already addressed this routing behavior” and said it takes community feedback seriously. (ajc.com) The company also said it provides more than 500,000 weekly trips across the country. ### Is this the first Waymo software recall? NHTSA records show Waymo has filed earlier software recalls tied to its autonomous driving system. A December 2025 Part 573 report covered 3,067 fifth-generation systems, and a February 2024 company blog post said Waymo had voluntarily recalled older software after two Phoenix incidents in December 2023 that caused minor damage and no injuries. (autos.yahoo.com) (ajc.com) Waymo has also continued to publish safety-performance claims as it expands. On its safety website, the company says it now provides more than 500,000 weekly trips and reported rider-only miles through December 2025 in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Austin. ### What happens next in the recall? NHTSA’s May 11 letter said Waymo must submit an amended recall report describing the final remedy once it is ready. (static.nhtsa.gov) The agency also told the company it must provide a draft owner-notification letter at least five days before mailing and continue filing required recall reports. Waymo said in its filing that its Safety Board decided on April 24 to conduct the recall after reviewing the floodwater issue. (ajc.com) The next formal step is a completed remedy submission to NHTSA for campaign 26E026. (static.nhtsa.gov 1) (static.nhtsa.gov 2)