Waymo recalls 5th and 6th generation self-driving systems over risk of driving into standing water
The software may let a Waymo vehicle slow down and then drive into standing water on higher speed roads, which can cause a loss of vehicle control and raise the risk of a crash or injury.
What to do
A final fix is still being developed. As a temporary fix, Waymo limited how its vehicles operate in bad weather and updated the vehicle maps, and all affected vehicles had this update by April 20, 2026.
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Recall details
- Product
- Waymo 5th Generation Ads, 6th Generation Ads
- Company
- Waymo LLC
- Hazard
- Entering a flooded roadway can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Units
- 3,791 pieces of equipment
- Reported to NHTSA
- May 1, 2026
- Identifiers
- NHTSA campaign number: 26E026000
The headline, summary and steps above are written in plain English from the official notice below. Identifiers are copied exactly as the agency published them. Always check the official notice before you act.
Official notice
The notice's own wording from NHTSA.
- Component
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
- Defect
- Waymo LLC (Waymo) is recalling certain 5th and 6th Generation Automated Driving Systems (ADS). The software may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways.
- Consequence
- Entering a flooded roadway can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Corrective action
- The remedy is currently under development. As an interim remedy, Waymo modified the scope of vehicle operations to increase weather-related constraints and updated the vehicle maps. All affected vehicles received the interim update by April 20, 2026.
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