The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation into 2,895 Waymo autonomous vehicles following reports that its robotaxis continued illegally passing stopped school buses despite a software update intended to correct the problem. The investigation, opened on November 6, 2026, will examine whether the company’s previous recall adequately addressed the safety issue.
According to Reuters, regulators found that most reported violations occurred after Waymo completed its software update on November 17, 2025. The incidents involved autonomous vehicles passing school buses displaying flashing red lights or extended stop signs, which require approaching drivers to stop.
NHTSA Questions Effectiveness of Previous Software Recall
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a recall query to determine why the reported violations continued after Waymo deployed its corrective software. The investigation covers vehicles equipped with the company’s fifth-generation automated driving system.
The agency initially began investigating Waymo in October 2025 after reviewing footage of a robotaxi maneuvering around a stopped school bus in Atlanta, Georgia. The bus had activated its flashing red lights and extended stop sign while children were getting off.
In that incident, the autonomous vehicle approached from a perpendicular street before turning around the front of the bus and continuing down the road. Regulators subsequently received additional reports of similar behavior involving Waymo vehicles operating in Austin, Texas.
Austin Independent School District officials had previously reported at least five incidents involving autonomous vehicles passing stopped school buses. The repeated violations raised concerns about how Waymo’s driving software identifies and responds to school bus warning signals.
Waymo Says Safety Improvements Have Reduced Violations
Waymo introduced a software update in November 2025 and subsequently issued a voluntary recall covering vehicles affected by the problem. The company said the update had been installed across all affected vehicles by November 17.
However, NHTSA found that most documented incidents occurred after that date, prompting questions about whether the corrective measures were sufficient. The latest investigation will examine the effectiveness of the software changes and identify factors contributing to the subsequent violations.
In response, Waymo said it had made significant improvements to how its vehicles behave around school buses. A company spokesperson also stated that Waymo had received no citations for school bus violations since March 2026.
The company said it would cooperate with federal regulators and provide information requested during the investigation. Waymo maintained that its autonomous driving technology has demonstrated positive effects on road safety.
Federal Regulators Continue Reviewing Robotaxi Safety
The investigation adds to regulatory scrutiny surrounding autonomous vehicles operating on public roads, particularly in situations involving pedestrians and schoolchildren. It also comes as Waymo continues expanding its commercial robotaxi operations across U.S. cities.
NHTSA has not determined whether another recall or additional corrective action will be necessary. Its findings will establish whether Waymo’s existing software remedy adequately addresses the reported safety defect.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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