[AutonomousVehicles] Safety Recall Letter Sent By NHTSA to Waymo

[Cornelius Butler]

Hi Everyone,
Here is the official letter that NHTSA sent Waymo regarding the recall
along with a Gemini Summary:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCAK-26E026-9973.pdf

Gemini Summary:

The document located at
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCAK-26E026-9973.pdf is an
official *Safety
Recall Acknowledgement Letter* sent by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) to Waymo LLC.

The letter, dated *May 11, 2026*, officially documents and acknowledges
Waymo's voluntary safety recall regarding its Autonomous Driving System
(ADS) software. Below is a comprehensive summary of the details outlined in
the document:
1. Key Recall Metrics & Identification

   -

   *NHTSA Campaign Number:* 26E026
   -

   *Manufacturer Report Date:* May 01, 2026
   -

   *Component Affected:* Electrical System: ADAS: Autonomous / Self-Driving
   -

   *Potential Number of Units Affected:* 3,791 vehicles
   -

   *Affected Equipment:* Waymo 5th Generation ADS and 6th Generation ADS

2. Problem Description

The software running on Waymo’s 5th and 6th Generation Automated Driving
Systems has a defect related to navigating severe weather conditions.
Specifically, the software may allow an autonomous vehicle to slow down but
then ultimately *drive into standing water (flooding)* when traveling on
higher-speed roadways.
3. Safety Risk (Consequence)

If a Waymo vehicle enters an untraversable, flooded roadway, it could
suffer a sudden *loss of vehicle control*. This increases the risk of a
vehicle crash or passenger injury.
4. Remedy Plan

   -

   *Final Remedy:* The permanent remedy is currently under development by
   Waymo.
   -

   *Interim Remedy:* As a temporary safety measure, Waymo modified the
   operational scope of its fleet. This was done by increasing weather-related
   constraints and updating the internal vehicle maps to prevent vehicles from
   operating in areas with elevated flood risks.
   -

   *Status:* Because Waymo owns and operates all 3,791 affected vehicles,
   it was able to deploy this interim software and mapping update to the
   entire affected fleet directly. The interim update was successfully
   completed on *April 20, 2026*.

5. Legal & Regulatory Requirements

Because this is an active federal safety recall, the NHTSA outlines
specific mandates that Waymo must follow:

   -

   *Owner Notification:* Waymo is required to submit a draft of the
   customer/owner notification letter to the NHTSA at least 5 days prior to
   mailing it.
   -

   *Communication Logs:* Waymo must submit copies of all notices,
   bulletins, and dealer/fleet notifications regarding this recall to the
   NHTSA within 5 days of their original distribution.
   -

   *Progress Reports:* Waymo is legally obligated to submit quarterly
   recall status reports to the NHTSA to ensure ongoing compliance and safety
   tracking.
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