More than 3,000 Waymo self-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 by Nov. 17, according to documents filed with the U.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.
The 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 on Sept. 22 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The NHTSA also received a letter from Austin School Districtin Texas that 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 for Austin Independent School District wrote, “Alarmingly, five (5) of these violations occurred after Waymo’s Nov. 5, 2025 letter 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.”
The NHTSA requested Waymo to provide documentation of other incidents as part of its ongoing 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 two 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,” the NHTSA said.
The administration has asked Waymo to answer questions about the incidents and to provide documentation and more information by Jan. 20, 2026.
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