Waymo Opens Robotaxi Rides to Everyone in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa
Waymo said on October 14, 2026, that anyone in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa can now hail its driverless cars, ending invitation-only access in all three cities.
// robotaxis & self-driving
Robotaxi Recalls and Investigations Tracker
A dated log of US safety recalls and federal investigations of self-driving systems from Waymo, Zoox, Tesla, Avride and Cruise, each tied to an NHTSA or NTSB action.
Researched and fact-checked by AI, with no human review. How we verify
28 entries from 30 sources. Checked for news weekly; last checked
What this tracker follows
This tracker follows US federal safety recalls and investigations of automated driving systems. These systems drive robotaxis and other self-driving vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that, once mature, such a system aims to do all of the driving without driver involvement within set conditions. Entries cover Waymo, Zoox, Tesla's Robotaxi and Cybercab, Avride and Cruise, which has since stopped operating. They run from February 2024 to October 2026. The list was last reviewed on October 15, 2026.
An entry is added when one of these things happens to such a system:
- A company files a safety recall with NHTSA, or amends one to report a fix.
- NHTSA opens, upgrades or closes a formal case, such as a preliminary evaluation, an audit query or a defect petition review.
- NHTSA fines the company or settles a case with it.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opens an investigation or publishes findings.
Each recall is dated by the day the company reported it to NHTSA, as NHTSA's records show. An amended report that adds a fix is dated by the day it was filed.
Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are left out. In NHTSA's files, Tesla calls FSD a Level 2 system that needs a fully attentive driver at all times. That makes it driver assistance, not self-driving. Also left out are state actions such as permit suspensions, crashes with no federal action, lawsuits, and letters or data requests within an open case. Regulators outside the US are not covered. Where people can ride is tracked in the robotaxi cities tracker.
Timeline
NHTSA reviews a petition alleging Tesla Robotaxis speed in school zones
NHTSA opened petition review DP26010 into 2026 Tesla Robotaxis, both Model Y and Cybercab. The petition, received September 23, says the driving system exceeds speed limits in active school zones. NHTSA lists four incidents and no crashes. It will decide whether to grant or deny the petition.
NHTSA opens an audit query into Tesla's Cybercab certification
NHTSA opened audit query AQ26002 the day Tesla began commercial Cybercab service in Austin. Tesla told NHTSA it certified the Cybercab as meeting all applicable federal safety standards, though it lacks a steering wheel, pedals and mirrors. NHTSA will examine the process and data behind that certification.
Avride recalls its driving software over unsafe lane changes
Avride told NHTSA its software could make a vehicle change lanes, merge or veer without yielding or keeping a safe distance. The recall covers 223 units. NHTSA's August 26 letter said all affected fleet vehicles would get a free software update by August 31, 2026.
Zoox recalls software on 105 robotaxis over heavy smoke
Zoox said its software may fail to detect heavy smoke. Its robotaxis could then drive into areas of low visibility, especially active emergency scenes. The recall covers 105 units. NHTSA's letter of July 16 says Zoox has updated the software free of charge.
Waymo reports its fix for the freeway construction zone recall
Waymo's amended recall report says it began updating the software on June 16, 2026. All driverless-capable vehicles had the fix by June 29. Waymo began resuming freeway operations on June 25. The update helps cars recognize construction zones and slow down in them.
Source: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26E035, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Waymo recalls 3,871 driving systems over freeway construction zones
Waymo said its fifth-generation system might enter a closed freeway construction zone and keep driving at speed. The recall covers 3,871 units. In the meantime, Waymo restricted freeway driving. NHTSA acknowledged the recall on June 17, 2026, with the final fix still in development.
NHTSA opens an investigation into Avride after 16 crashes in Texas
NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE26003 into Avride's driving system after 16 crashes in Dallas and Austin. One involved an alleged minor injury. Videos showed cars changing lanes into other vehicles and failing to stop for vehicles ahead. A safety operator sat in the driver's seat each time.
Waymo recalls 3,791 driving systems over flooded roads
Waymo said its software might slow and then drive into standing water on higher-speed roads. The recall covers 3,791 fifth- and sixth-generation systems. As an interim fix, Waymo tightened weather limits and updated its maps by April 20, 2026. NHTSA's May 11 letter said the final fix was still in development.
NTSB releases preliminary findings on a Waymo passing an Austin school bus
The NTSB said an empty Waymo stopped for a school bus loading students in Austin on January 12, 2026. A remote assistance agent then answered no when the car asked if it was a school bus with active signals. The car drove past with the stop arms still out. No crash occurred.
NTSB releases preliminary findings on a Waymo striking a child in Santa Monica
The NTSB said an empty Waymo traveling at 17 mph braked and struck a 9-year-old crossing midblock in a Santa Monica school zone on January 23, 2026. The student reported minor injuries. A Waymo remote assistance agent called 911 after the collision.
NTSB opens an investigation into a Waymo hitting a child in Santa Monica
TechCrunch reported that the NTSB opened an investigation into the January 23 crash, working with Santa Monica police. Waymo said its robotaxi braked hard from about 17 mph and struck the child at 6 mph. Waymo told NHTSA the child had minor injuries.
Source: Waymo robotaxi hits a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, TechCrunch
NHTSA opens an investigation after a Waymo strikes a child near a school
NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE26001 after a Waymo with no safety operator struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school at drop-off time. It will examine whether the car took enough care there. It will also look at school zone behavior and Waymo's response after the impact.
NTSB opens an investigation into Waymo robotaxis passing school buses
The NTSB said it opened an investigation into Waymo robotaxis passing stopped school buses, focused on more than 20 incidents in Austin, Texas. TechCrunch said it was the board's first investigation of Waymo. The NTSB can make recommendations but cannot issue fines.
Source: Waymo probed by National Transportation Safety Board over illegal school bus behavior, TechCrunch
Zoox recalls software on 332 vehicles over center line crossings
Zoox told NHTSA that at or near intersections, its vehicles could cross the yellow center line. They could then drive into or stop in front of oncoming traffic. The recall covers 332 units. NHTSA's December 22 letter says all affected driverless fleet vehicles were updated by December 19.
Waymo recalls 3,067 driving systems over passing stopped school buses
Waymo told NHTSA that software from before a November 5, 2025, release could let its cars pass a stopped school bus. That could happen even with the bus's red lights flashing or its stop arm out. The recall covers 3,067 fifth-generation systems. NHTSA's letter says all were fixed by November 17, 2025.
NHTSA opens an investigation into a Waymo driving around a stopped school bus
NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE25013 after a media report. It showed a Waymo with no safety operator driving around a stopped school bus in Atlanta on September 22, 2025, as students got off. NHTSA said similar earlier incidents were highly likely. The case covers about 2,000 vehicles.
NHTSA closes its Zoox certification audit after granting an exemption
NHTSA closed audit query AQ23001, opened in March 2023 into how Zoox certified its robotaxi with no traditional controls. An inspection had found several apparent failures to meet federal standards. The case closed after NHTSA granted Zoox a demonstration exemption on August 4, 2025.
Source: ODI Resume AQ23001 (closing): Certification, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA closes its Waymo investigation after two recalls
NHTSA closed preliminary evaluation PE24016, opened in May 2024, citing Waymo recalls 24E049 and 25E034. It had identified 367 incidents, including 109 crashes. Its review focused on crashes into gates, chains and similar objects. NHTSA said it would keep monitoring crash reports.
Zoox recalls software on 270 vehicles after an e-scooter incident
Zoox said its stopped or slow vehicles might lose track of a person lying right beside them and move off. A robotaxi did so, without contact, after an e-scooter rider fell next to it in San Francisco on May 8, 2025. All 270 units were updated by May 21.
Source: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25E037, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Waymo recalls 1,212 driving systems over crashes with gates and chains
Waymo said earlier software let its cars collide with chains, gates and similar roadway barriers. None of these crashes caused injuries. The recall covers 1,212 fifth-generation systems. Waymo said the fix was already on the whole fleet by December 26, 2024.
Source: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25E-034, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Zoox recalls software on 270 vehicles over wrong predictions of other cars
Zoox told NHTSA its vehicles could misjudge a car that slowly approaches at a right angle and then stops. In those cases, a Zoox vehicle might not be able to avoid a crash. The recall covers 270 units. NHTSA's letter says all affected driverless vehicles on public roads were updated by April 17, 2025.
NHTSA closes its Zoox hard-braking investigation after a recall
NHTSA closed preliminary evaluation PE24015, opened May 10, 2024, after Zoox vehicles braked suddenly and were rear-ended. It found the system contributed to four collisions with vulnerable road users, three with injuries. It cited recall 25E019 and data from Zoox showing the hard braking was resolved.
Zoox recalls software on 258 vehicles over unexpected hard braking
Zoox said software released before November 5, 2024, could brake hard unexpectedly. Examples include a motorcyclist closing in fast from behind or a cyclist entering a nearby crosswalk. The recall covers 258 units. All affected driverless fleet vehicles were fixed by November 7, 2024.
NHTSA closes its Cruise pedestrian investigation after Cruise stops operating
NHTSA closed preliminary evaluation PE23018, opened October 16, 2023, into whether Cruise robotaxis took enough care around pedestrians. It cited Cruise recall 23E086 on behavior after a collision. It also noted that Cruise had ceased operations and none of its systems were on public roads.
Cruise agrees to a $1.5 million NHTSA penalty over crash reporting
NHTSA announced a consent order with Cruise, then majority-owned by General Motors. Two of Cruise's crash reports left out that a driverless Cruise vehicle dragged a pedestrian about 20 feet. The crash happened on October 2, 2023. The two-year order also requires a corrective action plan and regular reports to NHTSA.
Waymo recalls 672 driving systems after hitting a utility pole
Waymo said its software and maps could let a car hit a pole inside the roadway, for example while pulling over. An empty Waymo struck a wooden utility pole in a Phoenix alley on May 21, 2024, with no injuries. All 672 units had the fix by June 6.
Source: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24E-049, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA opens an investigation into unexpected Waymo driving behavior
NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE24016 after 22 reports, 17 of them crashes. They included Waymo cars hitting gates, chains and parked vehicles, and appearing to disobey traffic control devices. The case covered about 444 vehicles.
Source: ODI Resume PE24016: Unexpected ADS behavior, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Waymo recalls 444 driving systems after two cars hit a towed pickup
Waymo said its software could wrongly predict the motion of a vehicle being towed at an angle. Two Waymo cars hit the same towed pickup truck in Phoenix on December 11, 2023, with no injuries. All 444 units were updated by January 12, 2024.
Source: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24E-013, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Additional sources
- Standing General Order on Crash Reporting, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- ODI Resume PE25012: Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving (FSD) is engaged, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Update history
- A new tracker logs federal safety recalls and investigations of self-driving systems. It covers Waymo, Zoox, Tesla, Avride and Cruise from February 2024 to October 2026.
Articles on Robotaxis & Self-Driving
Robotaxis Explained: How Waymo, Tesla and Zoox Differ
Waymo retrofits existing cars and ran in 15 US markets as of September 2026. Tesla relies on cameras and its Cybercab. Zoox builds a vehicle with no steering wheel under a federal exemption.
Are Robotaxis Safer Than Human Drivers? What the Data Says
Waymo's data shows far fewer injury crashes than human drivers in its cities. But most of the evidence is company-produced and federal crash data lacks the mileage needed to rate Tesla or Zoox.