Waymo faces recall query as school bus violations persist
NHTSA is investigating Waymo after its robotaxis continued to pass stopped school buses despite a software update and formal recall of over 3,000 vehicles.
Waymo, a leading developer of autonomous vehicles, is under investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following a series of incidents in which its robotaxis failed to stop for school buses. The investigation comes after Waymo attempted to address the issue with a software update and a formal recall affecting 3,067 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. Despite these measures, reports indicate that violations continued, prompting further scrutiny from federal regulators.
Waymo Faces Federal Scrutiny After School Bus Incidents
Background: School Bus Safety Violations
The core of the NHTSA’s investigation centres on the failure of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to comply with laws requiring vehicles to stop for school buses during loading and unloading. In November 2025, Waymo deployed a software update across its fleet, aiming to correct the behaviour of its robotaxis around stopped school buses. The following month, the company issued a formal recall for 3,067 fifth-generation Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis, declaring the update was intended to resolve the safety concern.
However, the Austin Independent School District in Texas reported 19 separate incidents in which Waymo vehicles still failed to stop for school buses after the update was applied. These violations raised questions about the effectiveness of the software fix and whether the recall sufficiently addressed the safety risk. The NHTSA subsequently opened a recall query, a formal process that could lead to further regulatory action if the agency finds the remedy to be inadequate.
Waymo’s Response and Company Position
Waymo maintains that it has not received any citations related to school bus violations since March 2026. The company argues that its corrective actions, including the software update and recall, have addressed the issue. Waymo has also stated that its vehicles are designed to prioritise safety and comply with local traffic laws. Nonetheless, the continued reports of violations after the update have kept the company under regulatory scrutiny.
Local officials, including those from the Austin Independent School District, have requested that Waymo restrict its robotaxi operations near schools during student loading and unloading times. As of now, Waymo has declined to implement such restrictions, continuing to operate its autonomous vehicles in those areas. This decision has drawn criticism from some community members concerned about student safety.
Role of Remote Operators and Human Error
The investigation has also highlighted the role of human remote operators in Waymo’s system. In at least one documented case, a remote assistance operator based in Novi, Michigan, misidentified a school bus, resulting in a violation. Waymo employs remote operators in several locations, including a significant number in the Philippines, to provide assistance to its autonomous vehicles when they encounter complex or ambiguous situations.
While the company has not disclosed detailed procedures for addressing human error among its remote operators, the incident in Michigan demonstrates that the human element can still introduce risk into autonomous vehicle operations. The balance between automated decision-making and remote human intervention remains a key area of focus for both regulators and industry observers.
NHTSA Recall Query: Process and Potential Outcomes
The NHTSA’s recall query is a formal process used to determine whether an automaker’s remedy for a safety defect is adequate. If the agency concludes that Waymo’s software update and recall have not effectively resolved the issue, it could require the company to take further action. This might include additional software changes, expanded recalls, or operational restrictions to ensure compliance with school bus safety laws.
The outcome of the recall query has broader implications for the autonomous vehicle industry. Regulators are closely watching how companies like Waymo address safety concerns that arise from both software and human operation. The process also raises questions about how traditional recall procedures should adapt to vehicles that receive frequent over-the-air software updates, rather than physical repairs.
Waymo’s Call for Updated Recall Processes
Waymo has argued that existing recall processes do not adequately reflect the continuous improvement model used in autonomous vehicle software. The company suggests that regulatory frameworks should evolve to account for the ability to deploy rapid software fixes across entire fleets. The NHTSA, however, maintains that any remedy must be demonstrably effective in eliminating the identified safety risk.
It remains unclear what further steps Waymo or the NHTSA may take if the current remedy is deemed insufficient. The ongoing investigation will determine whether additional measures are necessary to protect student safety and ensure compliance with traffic laws.
Consequences for Waymo and the Industry
The scrutiny faced by Waymo could have significant consequences for the company and the wider autonomous vehicle sector. If the NHTSA requires further recalls or operational restrictions, Waymo may need to invest more resources in software development, testing, and oversight of its remote operators. Such measures could delay the broader rollout of autonomous vehicles and affect public perception of their safety.
Other companies developing self-driving technology are also monitoring the situation, as the outcome could influence future regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users, such as schoolchildren, remains a priority for regulators and communities alike. The Waymo investigation highlights the challenges of integrating autonomous vehicles into complex real-world environments where human judgement and local context are critical.
Summary Table: Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 November 2025 | Waymo deploys software update to address school bus stopping issue |
| December 2025 | Waymo recalls 3,067 Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis |
| Post-update (late 2025 - early 2026) | Austin ISD reports 19 violations after update |
| March 2026 | Waymo states no further citations since this date |
| 2026 | NHTSA opens recall query |
