_Incident · Regulatory action_

# NHTSA opened an investigation into Avride after 16 robotaxi crashes in Dallas and Austin

Canonical ID: `cc5e3f13-0bd6-405f-a68a-a87696b73e79`

- **Occurred:** 2026-05-06
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Avride Robotaxi (Hyundai Ioniq 5)](/models/avride-robotaxi.md) — id `ea6e1e0c-2941-46e1-858d-3e95ec7482d7`

On May 6, 2026, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened an investigation into Avride after identifying 16 crashes (December 2025–March 2026) involving its Hyundai Ioniq 5 robotaxis in Dallas and Austin, with one minor injury. The crashes involved vehicles executing lane changes into other vehicles, failing to slow or stop behind cars, and striking stationary objects (including a dumpster); most occurred at speeds below 20 mph while an in-vehicle safety operator was present, with the safety monitor attempting to intervene in only one. NHTSA described the pattern as 'inappropriate assertiveness and insufficient competence,' noting it 'may also constitute traffic safety violations.' The minor injury occurred in December 2025 when an Avride vehicle clipped the open door of a parked pickup truck; it was reported later via insurance and did not require hospitalization.

## Sources (3)

1. **NHTSA probe, crash narratives (door clip, van lane-change, dumpster), one safety-monitor intervention** · https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/08/uber-partner-avride-is-under-investigation-for-self-driving-crashes/ · 2026-05-08
2. **NHTSA ODI 'competence of' Avride ADS; injury Dec 2025 truck-door clip** · https://thenextweb.com/news/avride-uber-robotaxi-crashes-nhtsa-investigation · 2026-05-08
3. **16 crashes Dec-Mar, property damage + one minor injury, below 20 mph, safety operators present** · https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/robotaxi-operator-under-investigation-for-crashes-in-dallas/4023503/ · 2026-05-12

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