Waymo recalls robotaxis over highway hazard risk

Waymo is recalling nearly 4,000 robotaxis to prevent them from driving on highways while addressing a navigation issue in construction zones. The action follows 13 incidents where the vehicles entered closed highway sections during active roadwork.

Six incidents occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, in April, while seven more took place in San Francisco the following month. The company voluntarily removed its vehicles from all highways on May 19, though they remain operational on surface streets, as noted in documents submitted to regulators.

A software fix is under development. Waymo acknowledged the need for better performance around freeway construction zones and informed state and federal authorities before filing the recall.

This marks the sixth recall for the company’s autonomous vehicles. Earlier recalls involved problems such as driving into flooded areas, improper behavior near school buses, and low-speed collisions with objects like chains and poles.

Owned by Alphabet, the company states its vehicles have logged over 170 million autonomous miles. It also reports a significant drop in serious-injury crashes compared to human drivers.

Regulatory filings show the robotaxis failed to recognize ramp closure signs in Phoenix, entering pre-planned construction zones. After reviewing the incidents, Waymo’s safety committee restricted freeway operations in the city while working on a solution. A similar problem arose in San Francisco on May 18, when seven vehicles entered active work zones because the software prioritized avoiding other hazards over detecting the closures.

Freeway driving was suspended the next day, and the recall was formally issued on June 8.

The recall does not remove the vehicles from service entirely. Waymo continues operating on surface streets but has paused service during severe weather to avoid flooding risks. Rapid growth has made these software adjustments more noticeable—and more critical.

Highway construction zones pose unique difficulties for autonomous systems. Unlike fixed obstacles, these sites involve temporary signs, changing lane patterns, and workers moving unpredictably. Previous recalls indicate the company is still improving how its vehicles handle such unpredictable conditions.

For now, the robotaxis will remain off highways until the update is complete. The solution must address the complex, real-world scenarios human drivers handle daily.