Waymo recalls 3,791 ADS-equipped vehicles over flooded roadway detection failure (NHTSA 26E026)

[RECALL]

May 6, 2026 · Waymo · Waymo Driver (6th gen) · Sacramento, California, USA

Failure Mode

RECALL

Event Date

May 6, 2026

Primary Entity

Waymo

Robotic Platform

Waymo Driver (6th gen)

Jurisdiction / Location

Sacramento, California, USA

Audit Standard

Physical State Verified

Incident Abstract & Audit Findings

Waymo submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to NHTSA on May 6, 2026, recalling 3,791 vehicles with 5th and 6th Generation ADS. On April 20, 2026, an unoccupied Waymo AV encountered an untraversable flooded section of roadway with a 40 mph speed limit and proceeded at reduced speed instead of stopping. Waymo implemented interim operational restrictions via weather-related controls and map changes.

System & Fleet Architecture

Operating Manufacturer

Hardware Platform

Waymo Driver (6th gen)

Operational Sectors

Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings

  • https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E026-6527.pdf

    https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E026-6527.pdf

Related Incidents & Failure Precedents

6 records on file

Incident Context & FAQ

What happened in Waymo recalls 3,791 ADS-equipped vehicles over flooded roadway detection failure (NHTSA 26E026)?

Waymo submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to NHTSA on May 6, 2026, recalling 3,791 vehicles with 5th and 6th Generation ADS. On April 20, 2026, an unoccupied Waymo AV encountered an untraversable flooded section of roadway with a 40 mph speed limit and proceeded at reduced speed instead of stopping. Waymo implemented interim operational restrictions via weather-related controls and map changes.

When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on May 6, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

What robot was involved in Waymo recalls 3,791 ADS-equipped vehicles over flooded roadway detection failure (NHTSA 26E026)?

Waymo Driver (6th gen) by Waymo is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Sacramento, California, USA.

Has anyone responded to Waymo recalls 3,791 ADS-equipped vehicles over flooded roadway detection failure (NHTSA 26E026)?

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 3,791 ADS-equipped vehicles over flooded roadway detection failure (NHTSA 26E026)?

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