Waymo Recalls 3,871 Robotaxis Over Freeway Construction Zone Incidents

Waymo Recalls 3,871 Robotaxis Over Freeway Construction Zone Incidents

Waymo has issued a recall for all 3,871 of its robotaxis that utilize its 5th Generation Automated Driving System (ADS). The recall, dated Wednesday, addresses concerns that the autonomous vehicles (AVs) could enter and operate at freeway speeds within closed construction lanes. This action follows multiple documented instances where the robotaxis either drove onto closed highway onramps or entered closed lanes on active freeways.

Safety Committee Reviews Freeway Incidents

According to reports from Reuters, Waymo’s Field Safety Committee initiated a series of meetings to review events that led to the recall. These reviews included incidents in Phoenix, AZ, where Waymo AVs reportedly did not recognize ramp closure signs and proceeded into pre-planned freeway construction zones. These events occurred on April 11, 2026, with additional related events reviewed from April 19, 2026. Following these occurrences, Waymo’s Field Safety Committee implemented freeway driving restrictions until operational mitigations could be put in place.

Further incidents prompted another review by the committee on May 19, 2026. These events, which took place on May 18, 2026, involved seven Waymo AVs entering freeway lanes with active construction in the San Francisco Bay Area. The vehicles reportedly navigated between cones designating lane closures in adjacent lanes. The recall notice states that "Under certain circumstances, the AV may enter and drive at speed in freeway construction zones due to inappropriately prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards and/or failing to recognize the construction zone." Waymo noted that such actions "increases the potential for collisions."

Second Recall in Under Two Months

This recall is the second for Waymo in less than two months. Previously, on May 6, the company recalled its 5th-gen ADS vehicles due to concerns about their ability to stop for flooded roads on high-speed highways. An earlier software fix had been implemented to address an issue where cars could drive into flooded lanes of traffic on higher-speed roads. The company experienced an incident where one of its I-Pace vehicles drove into deep flood waters.

Newer Systems Not Affected

The recall specifically applies to vehicles equipped with the 5th-gen ADS. Waymo's new Zeekr Ojai vans, which have recently entered service, utilize a newer 6th-generation ADS and are therefore not expected to be affected by this recall. This situation arises less than a year after Waymo vehicles first gained the capability to operate on freeways in select markets.

The issue leading to the recall will be remedied through a software update. Importantly, there have been no reported injuries or deaths associated with these specific incidents.