3,000 Waymo Taxis Recalled After School Bus Passing Problems
Software May Cause Vehicle to Pass a Stopped School Bus Even With Stop Arm Extended, Lights Flashing
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More than 3,000Waymoself-driving taxis have been recalled for a software update after reports that the vehicles improperly passed stopped school buses.
The fifth-generation Automated Driving Systems operating software was updated in all vehicles byNov. 17, according to documents filed with theU.S.National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The software may cause the vehicle to pass a stopped school bus even when the red lights are flashing and/or stop arm is extended.
NHTSA started an investigation in October into a “media report that a Waymo AV failed to remain stopped when approaching a school bus that was stopped with its red lights flashing, stop arm deployed and crossing control arm deployed.” That incident occurred onSept. 22inAtlanta.
NHTSA also received aletter fromAustin School DistrictinTexasthat reported 19 documented incidents of Waymo automated vehicles passing stopped school buses. The letter requested that Waymo cease AV operations during common pick up and drop off times for students.
Jennifer Bergeron Oliaro, senior counsel forAustin Independent School Districtwrote, “Alarmingly, five (5) of these violations occurred after Waymo’sNov. 5, 2025letter reassuring Austin ISD that certain software updates were in place to resolve the issue.
“One of these violations underscores the urgent risk posed by Waymo’s illegal activity: a Waymo automated vehicle was recorded driving past a stopped school bus only moments after a student crossed in front of the vehicle, and while the student was still in the road.
“The vehicle then proceeds through a crosswalk and an intersection, where all other vehicles are stopped. Put simply, Waymo’s software updates are clearly not working as intended nor as quickly as required. We cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix.”
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NHTSA requested that Waymo provide documentation of other incidents as part of itsongoing investigation.
“At the time of the incident, the Waymo AV was operated by Waymo’s 5th Generation Automated Driving System. No safety operator was present in the vehicle.
“Waymo’s ADS surpassed 100 million miles of driving in July of 2025. Operations involving Waymo’s ADS currently accumulate approximately 2 million miles per week. Based on NHTSA’s engagement with Waymo on this incident and the accumulation of operational miles, the likelihood of other prior similar incidents is high,” NHTSA said.
