Overview
- Waymo says it will submit the recall to NHTSA early next week to address how its vehicles slow and stop near school buses, and its fleet will remain in service during the rollout.
- A software update was deployed on Nov. 17 that the company says improved performance, yet Austin schools recorded additional violations afterward, including a Dec. 1 incident.
- NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation tied to stopped school bus behavior and issued a detailed information request with a Jan. 20, 2026 response deadline.
- Austin ISD has reported at least 19 violations this school year, asked Waymo to pause operations during pick-up and drop-off, sought $2,100 in fines, and is exploring legal remedies.
- No injuries have been reported, and the planned recall follows earlier Waymo software recalls involving collisions with a utility pole and failures to detect gates and chains.