A Waymo autonomous taxi in Washington. (Alex Kent/Bloomberg)
key takeaways:
- Waymo recalled 3,871 robotaxis after software failed to detect freeway construction zones, causing the vehicles to enter active work zones in Phoenix and San Francisco.
- The problems occurred in 13 cases without any injuries, highlighting ongoing safety challenges for autonomous vehicles despite Waymo’s claims that its technology outperforms human drivers.
- Waymo has suspended freeway driving and is developing software updates and safety measures to prevent similar incidents while continuing limited service on surface roads.
Waymo is recalling thousands of its robotaxis to fix a software problem that could cause the autonomous vehicles to enter freeway construction zones and drive off at high speeds.
The Alphabet Inc. unit’s vehicles failed to recognize freeway construction zones in 13 cases in Phoenix and San Francisco in April and May, according to a June 17 filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
According to a separate filing, the company plans to update its self-driving software to detect when vehicles are in work zones and avoid entering them. The solution is still under development. This is the company’s second recall since May.
In six events in Phoenix, self-driving cars did not recognize ramp closure signals and drove into pre-planned work zones on the freeway. In San Francisco, seven vehicles entered freeway lanes with active construction by “driving between lane closure cones in adjacent lanes” as they inappropriately prioritized avoiding other freeway hazards, according to the filing.
Although the behavior has not resulted in any collisions or injuries, Waymo suspended freeway driving in May while it worked on a software fix to address the problem. The company did not disclose details of specific construction sector incidents at the time. Waymo filed a voluntary software recall for 3,871 of its vehicles over the matter on June 12.
Waymo said it is working on additional software security measures around the issue, and is continuing to serve riders on surface roads in the markets where it operates.
⚠️ Recall Alert
Waymo 5th Generation Automated Driving System (ADS)
Software that allows vehicles to enter and drive through freeway construction zones recalledhttps://t.co/vZHX7MG3r3– NHTSA Recalls & Ratings (@NHTSRecalls) 18 June 2026
Waymo issued a separate recall in May after its software failed to prevent vehicles from driving on flooded roads, underscoring the real-world challenges robotaxis still need to overcome.
Waymo was the first robotaxi company to offer rides on freeway routes last November. It plans to expand commercial service to 20 cities this year.
The company says its self-driving technology statistically outperforms human drivers, and is able to reduce property damage claims and bodily injury claims.
