Thousands of Waymo robotaxis recalled over risk of entering flooded roads

Waymo has initiated a voluntary recall of approximately 3,800 robotaxis in the US after a software issue led to a vehicle entering a flooded road in San Antonio on April 20. The empty Waymo vehicle was swept into a creek, prompting the recall of models using the company’s fifth and sixth-generation automated driving systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed the recall in a letter posted on Tuesday, noting temporary software updates have already been applied to limit vehicle operations during extreme weather. The San Antonio robotaxi service remains suspended pending the rollout of a permanent software fix. Waymo stated it is developing additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents. Despite the setback, the company continues to operate across multiple US cities, including San Francisco, Austin, and Miami, providing over 500,000 trips weekly. This recall follows recent incidents involving autonomous vehicles, including a December 2025 power outage in San Francisco that disabled Waymo taxis and an April outage in Wuhan, China, where Apollo Go robotaxis stopped mid-traffic. While Waymo aims to expand its services—including plans to launch in London by September—experts warn that safety limitations in self-driving systems may only become apparent after deployment. The company has emphasized transparency, acknowledging that autonomous vehicle technology faces operational constraints. Waymo’s response includes both immediate restrictions and long-term software improvements to enhance safety during adverse conditions.