Waymo recalls nearly 4,000 robotaxis to stop them driving into highway construction zones

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet Inc., has initiated a significant recall of nearly 4,000 robotaxis to prevent them from entering highway construction zones. This decision follows multiple incidents where the self-driving cars mistakenly entered areas marked as closed due to ongoing construction work. According to reports, Waymo identified at least 13 such occurrences, with six taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, in April and seven in the San Francisco Bay Area in May. These incidents prompted the company to halt all highway operations starting on May 19 while it works on a solution to the problem.

The recall involves a voluntary software update aimed at addressing the specific issue of recognizing and avoiding construction zones on freeways. Waymo stated that it has already informed both state and federal regulatory bodies about the situation and filed a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Despite this action, the company continues to operate its robotaxis on non-highway surfaces, although it has occasionally paused services during extreme weather conditions that might cause flooding.

This marks the sixth recall issued by Waymo for its robotaxis. Previous recalls included measures taken to address issues such as vehicles driving into flooded roads and improper interactions with school buses. Earlier recalls also targeted problems involving low-speed collisions with infrastructure elements like chains, gates, telephone poles, and towed trucks. Currently, the NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the behavior of Waymo's autonomous vehicles around school buses, particularly after an incident in January where one of its robotaxis struck a child near a school.

Waymo, which operates under Alphabet Inc., asserts that its autonomous vehicles have collectively traveled over 170 million miles without human intervention. The company claims that these vehicles demonstrate a 13 times lower rate of serious injury or worse crashes compared to traditional human-driven vehicles. However, as Waymo expands its operations to more than 20 new cities this year, including international locations like London and Tokyo, it faces increasing challenges related to handling complex urban environments and unexpected scenarios.

The company began providing highway ride services in November 2025, but shortly thereafter, it was discovered that its robotaxis had failed to recognize ramp closure signs and proceeded into planned freeway construction zones in Phoenix during mid-April. Following an internal review, Waymo's Field Safety Committee decided to suspend all freeway operations in the city until a resolution could be found.

In late May, another batch of seven Waymo robotaxis encountered similar issues in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company attributed this to its software prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards or failing to identify the presence of construction zones. As a result, Waymo suspended all freeway driving activities the subsequent day. The decision to implement the recall was finalized by the company's safety board on June 8.

Some of these incidents were captured on video and shared on social media platforms. One notable instance was documented by X user @Elliot_slade, who posted footage showing a Waymo vehicle passing through construction barriers. He recounted the moment to CBS News, describing a tense encounter with law enforcement officers who were present at the scene. In response to this incident, Waymo reportedly offered Elliot Slade three complimentary rides worth up to $40 each in the future.

As Waymo continues to refine its autonomous driving technologies, the recent series of recalls underscores the complexity involved in ensuring safe navigation through diverse and unpredictable real-world conditions. With plans for continued global expansion, the company must navigate not only technical challenges but also public perception and regulatory scrutiny as it strives toward widespread adoption of autonomous mobility solutions.