According to NHTSA, Waymo’s software identified the hazard enough to slow the vehicle but then allowed it to proceed into the standing water.
WASHINGTON — Waymo has issued a safety recall on thousands of its self-driving vehicles after federal regulators determined a software flaw in Waymo’s self-driving system could allow robotaxis to drive into floodwaters.
The defect, which affects 3,791 vehicles, causes cars to slow down and then become stuck in water on highways — a situation the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says increases the risk of crashes and injuries.
The recall affects vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth- and sixth-generation self-driving systems. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company reported the defect to NHTSA on May 1, 2026, and the agency acknowledged the recall in a May 11 letter.
Under normal conditions, a functioning self-driving system is expected to detect and avoid road hazards, including flooded road surfaces. in this case, According to NHTSA’s recall notice, The software did the opposite – it recognized the danger enough to slow the vehicle, but then allowed it to proceed into the standing water.
“Entering a flooded roadway may cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” the agency said in its official recall confirmation.
Waymo has deployed a temporary fix. The company implemented stricter weather-related restrictions and updated the maps used for vehicle navigation, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The company said all 3,791 affected vehicles received the interim software update through April 20, 2026, before formally filing a recall request with the agency.
Waymo has yet to offer a permanent fix, NHTSA noted in a letter to the company. Waymo is required by federal regulations to provide a complete description of the final recall remedy. Under federal law, Waymo is also required to file eight consecutive quarterly status reports on the recall, and then three annual reports — a process that could last several years as the company works to completely fix the problem.
The recall is the latest regulatory scrutiny facing the self-driving car industry as companies work to expand self-driving services to more cities and conditions. Waymo currently operates commercial robotaxi services in several U.S. markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
