Waymo Recalls 3,871 Robotaxis in Sixth Safety Action — Software Flaw Drove Fleet Into Active Freeway Construction Zones 13 Times at Speed

Alphabet's Waymo filed a voluntary NHTSA recall covering its entire fleet of 3,871 robotaxis after software failed to recognize freeway construction zones in 13 separate incidents — six in Phoenix in April and seven in the San Francisco Bay Area in May — causing vehicles to prioritize avoiding other freeway hazards while missing ramp-closure signs and driving into active work zones at highway speed. One passenger reported the vehicle 'blasted through cones' and accelerated past police; Waymo offered three $40-value vouchers as compensation. This is Waymo's sixth recall in recent months; the company has restricted all freeway operations while developing a software update, with surface-street service continuing under the restriction.