_Incident · Recall_

# Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis (NHTSA 26E035) after vehicles drove into closed freeway construction zones at speed

Canonical ID: `3912cda9-efef-48ee-a8b7-43db84d646ee`

- **Occurred:** 2026-06-17
- **Kind:** `recall`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Waymo](/companies/waymo.md) (id: `2128addc-20c8-4c31-aef5-be5ada97aede`)

Waymo filed a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA 26E035) covering 3,871 5th Generation ADS-equipped robotaxis after vehicles failed to recognize ramp closure signs and drove into active freeway construction zones in Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area between April 11 and May 18, 2026. The defect causes the AV to inappropriately prioritize avoiding other freeway hazards over recognizing the construction zone, increasing collision risk. Waymo imposed freeway driving restrictions pending a software remedy. This is Waymo's second recall in just over a month, following the flooded-roadway recall (26E026) in May.

## Sources (1)

1. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E035-7637.pdf

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-07-07 · agent:depth

## Common questions

### What happened in Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis (NHTSA 26E035) after vehicles drove into closed freeway construction zones at speed?

Waymo filed a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA 26E035) covering 3,871 5th Generation ADS-equipped robotaxis after vehicles failed to recognize ramp closure signs and drove into active freeway construction zones in Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area between April 11 and May 18, 2026. The defect causes the AV to inappropriately prioritize avoiding other freeway hazards over recognizing the construction zone, increasing collision risk. Waymo imposed freeway driving restrictions pending a software remedy. This is Waymo's second recall in just over a month, following the flooded-roadway recall (26E026) in May.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on June 17, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis (NHTSA 26E035) after vehicles drove into closed freeway construction zones at speed?

The incident is recorded as involving Waymo on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis (NHTSA 26E035) after vehicles drove into closed freeway construction zones at speed?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of Waymo recalls 3,871 robotaxis (NHTSA 26E035) after vehicles drove into closed freeway construction zones at speed?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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