Feds Reopen Scrutiny of Waymo School Bus Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining whether Waymo’s recall remedy was effective after reports that its driverless vehicles continued to pass stopped school buses displaying flashing red lights. The agency’s November 6 filing says most reported incidents occurred after Waymo deployed a software update intended to address the problem.

The review follows a recall involving nearly 3,000 vehicles. Waymo said it completed installing the fix on all affected vehicles on November 17, 2025. The agency’s defect investigators have opened a recall query to assess whether the remedy was adequate and whether further corrective action is needed.

NHTSA began investigating the company in October 2025 after video showed a Waymo vehicle going around a stopped school bus in Atlanta. The bus had its stop sign extended and lights flashing while children were getting off. The robotaxi crossed in front of the bus, turned around its front and continued down the street.

Further incidents were documented in Austin. School district officials there had reported at least five cases. Waymo had previously identified 19 instances of its vehicles illegally passing school buses since the start of that school year, prompting the recall in December 2025. Federal investigators will now assess why reports continued after the update.