Alphabet’s Waymo has recalled more than 1,200 self-driving cars this week to address a software issue. The glitch, identified during an auto safety investigation, could heighten the risk of collisions with chains, gates, and other roadway barriers. The recall applies to vehicles with the company’s fifth-generation automated driving system (ADS) software.
According to a recall report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 16 collisions involving Waymo vehicles equipped with its 5th Generation ADS were recorded between 2022 and 2024. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incidents.
The company reported that before its ADS was updated with a corrective fix, certain detection and response issues resulted in collisions with roadway barriers.
In December 2024, Waymo deployed a software update to its fleet of 1,212 vehicles, resolving the glitch.
“Waymo provides more than 250,000 paid trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments in the U.S. We hold ourselves to a high safety standard, and our record of reducing injuries over tens of millions of fully autonomous miles driven shows our technology is making roads safer.” A Waymo spokesperson stated.
In May of last year, the traffic safety agency initiated an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving cars after reports suggested that the robotaxis may have violated traffic regulations.
During the inquiry, regulators noted at least seven minor accidents involving Waymo vehicles that had collided with clearly visible objects—ones that a skilled human driver would typically be able to avoid.
Waymo has faced previous recalls due to issues with its Automated Driving Systems. In February 2024, the company recalled 444 vehicles that struggled to determine how to respond to vehicles being towed. Later, in June, another recall was issued to fix problems with detecting poles and similar stationary objects.
While the latest recall aims to resolve collision-related concerns, Waymo affirmed in a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that none of the crashes resulted in injuries.
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