Waymo Recalls Thousands of Robotaxis Over Safety Risks

Waymo is recalling 3,791 robotaxis over concerns that a software issue may cause its vehicles to drive into flooded roads. 

This comes after an event in San Antonio, Texas where a Waymo robotaxi drove into a flooded road. 

Robotaxis are increasingly being deployed globally, with Waymo alone conducting more than 500,000 commercial rides per week. 

Concerns over autonomous vehicle safety have been raised, with issues affecting both China and the US, which have seen the largest deployments of AVs so far. 

Waymo’s robotaxi recall

According to a letter posted on the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Waymo is recalling certain 5th and 6th generation automated driving systems (ADS) with 3,791 potential units affected. 

Waymo’s 6th generation ADS is equipped with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar and an array of external audio receivers.

The problem was described in the letter as an issue where the software may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways.

The letter notes that entering a flooded roadway can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Waymo incident in Texas

On the 20th April 2026, an unoccupied Waymo AV encountered an untraversable flooded section of a roadway that has a 40 mph speed limit. 

The vehicle detected potentially untraversable flood water and proceeded at reduced speed, according to an NHTSA filing. 

Waymo’s Safety Board reviewed information about this issue and decided to conduct a recall.

Robotaxi safety concerns

Waymo’s incident follows an incident with Apollo Go robotaxis in Wuhan, China on  31 March 2026, when a large-scale technical failure caused more than 100 driverless electric robotaxis to stall simultaneously in the middle of busy roads.

Waymo is also subject to a probe by the NHTSA after one of its AVs struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The incident caused minor injuries, according to Reuters. 

In a statement, Waymo said that following the event, it voluntarily contacted the NHTSA the same day.

In December of 2025, a power outage in San Francisco caused Waymo’s robotaxis to stop working in the city, which caused disruption. 

Waymo’s deployments in Texas

In February of 2026, Waymo announced it was expanding its robotaxi deployments in four cities: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando.

Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo, said at the time: “Waymo is serving more riders than ever, as we are on track to serve over one million rides per week by the end of this year.

“Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando are critical to our plans, as we lay groundwork for service in over 20 cities. Each community has its own unique charm and transportation needs, and we’re eager to provide a safe, reliable and magical way for locals and visitors to travel.”

Robotaxi deployments

In a post on X in March of 2026, Waymo said it now conducts more than 500,000 paid rides per week. Waymo has planned expansions to both the UK and Japan. 

The deployments of robotaxis are increasingly global. McKinsey says that Europe has been home to more than 35 autonomous-vehicle pilots to date, and the United States and China each see more than 450,000 and 250,000 commercial rides per week respectively.

Jack Stilgoe, Professor of Science and Technology Policy at University College London, told BBC News that all self-driving car systems had limits on when and where they could operate safely. 

Jack told BBC News that as more autonomous vehicles are deployed, more such problems are likely to emerge, though he added: “that isn't to say the technology won't be hugely beneficial.”