Waymo recalls 3,067 AVs for school‑bus passing bug; NHTSA notice Nov. 8
Waymo is recalling 3,067 vehicles equipped with its fifth‑generation automated driving system after identifying a software defect that led some AVs to illegally pass stopped school buses; NHTSA posted the recall notice on Nov. 8, Waymo says it completed software repairs by Nov. 17 and will file a voluntary software recall with the agency. NHTSA has sent detailed questions with a Jan. 20, 2026 response deadline and said similar incidents are likely, while school districts reported dozens of illegal passings (Austin ISD documented 19, including one after a student crossed, and Atlanta reported six); no injuries have been reported and Waymo’s chief safety officer acknowledged the company must “be better.”
📌 Key Facts
- NHTSA posted a recall notice on Nov. 8 tied to a school‑bus passing defect affecting Waymo vehicles; the recall covers 3,067 vehicles equipped with Waymo's 5th‑generation automated driving system.
- Waymo said it identified a software issue that contributed to some of its AVs passing stopped school buses, committed to a voluntary software recall, and said software updates will fix the problem; no injuries have been reported.
- Waymo Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña acknowledged the company must 'be better' and committed to filing the recall.
- Waymo told CBS it completed software repairs on the affected vehicles by Nov. 17.
- NHTSA sent detailed questions to Waymo, set a Jan. 20, 2026 deadline for Waymo’s responses, and said the likelihood of other similar prior incidents is high.
- School districts reported multiple illegal passings this school year: Austin ISD documented 19–20 incidents (including one that occurred moments after a student crossed in front of a Waymo vehicle and one after Waymo said it had fixed the issue), and Atlanta Public Schools reported six illegal passings as of Dec. 5.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, Austin ISD police have issued approximately 6,777 violations for illegally passing stopped school buses with flashing red lights.
New details emerge after Waymo vehicles caught on camera illegally passing stopped school buses — KVUE
Waymo autonomous vehicles were involved in 91% fewer crashes resulting in serious injuries compared to human drivers.
Don't Fear Self-Driving Cars. The Data Shows They Save Lives — GV Wire
From 2014 to 2023, about 71% of the deaths in school bus-related crashes were occupants of vehicles other than the school bus, and 16% were pedestrians.
School Bus Crashes - Injury Facts — National Safety Council
📰 Sources (3)
- NHTSA filing shows the recall covers 3,067 vehicles with 5th‑generation automated driving systems.
- Waymo told CBS it completed software repairs on affected vehicles by Nov. 17.
- Austin ISD reports 20 illegal passings this school year, including one after Waymo said it fixed the issue.
- Atlanta Public Schools counted six illegal passings by Waymo vehicles as of Dec. 5.
- Confirms NHTSA posted the recall notice on Nov. 8 tied to the school‑bus passing defect.
- Waymo says it will file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA early next week to address incidents of its AVs passing stopped school buses.
- Waymo identified a software issue contributing to the behavior and says updates will fix the problem; no injuries have been reported.
- Quote from Waymo Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña acknowledging the need to 'be better' and committing to the recall filing.
- NHTSA sent detailed questions and set a Jan. 20, 2026 deadline for Waymo’s responses, stating the likelihood of other similar prior incidents is high.
- Austin ISD documented 19 instances of AVs illegally passing stopped school buses, including one moments after a student crossed in front of the vehicle.