Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis after freeway construction-zone incidents

Waymo has voluntarily recalled 3,871 robotaxis in the United States after its driverless vehicles were involved in 13 incidents that sent them into active freeway construction zones, according to recall filings reviewed by regulators.

The recall affects vehicles equipped with Waymo's fifth-generation automated driving system. Waymo said no crashes or injuries were reported in the incidents, but that the vehicles could enter or continue driving through construction areas at freeway speeds.

The company said it had already restricted freeway operations last month while it works on a software fix and updated operating protocols. Waymo said it will continue to serve riders on surface streets in the cities where it operates.

What happened

The recall report describes six incidents in Phoenix in April 2026 and seven more in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 18, 2026.

In Phoenix, the vehicles failed to recognize ramp-closure signs and entered planned construction zones. In the Bay Area, the robotaxis drove between cones marking a lane closure and into active freeway work areas.

Waymo's filing says the affected vehicles were manufactured between March 17, 2022, and May 19, 2026.

Waymo's response

Waymo filed the voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 17, 2026, and said it identified an area for improvement around freeway construction zones.

Because Waymo owns the affected vehicles, it told regulators it will apply the fix itself. The company said its safety board reviewed the issue and asked for more information before the recall decision was made.

The recall follows an earlier Waymo safety action this year tied to flooded-road behavior, adding to scrutiny of how quickly autonomous vehicles can respond to unusual road layouts and temporary traffic controls.

Why it matters

The case highlights a high-stakes failure mode for freeway-capable robotaxis. Entering an active construction zone at speed can raise risks for passengers, road workers and other drivers, and it may affect confidence in Waymo's expanding highway service.

NHTSA has acknowledged the voluntary recall, and the agency may continue monitoring the corrective action as Waymo deploys its remedy.