Unexpected ADS behavior

What NHTSA investigated

On May 13, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24016) to investigate the Waymo 5th Generation automated driving system’s (ADS) performance based on 22 reports of unexpected driving behaviors identified through Standing General Order 2021-01 (SGO) and other publicly available sources. The initial reports and additional reports received during the investigation included incidents in which a Waymo ADS-equipped vehicle was the sole vehicle operated during a collision or in which the ADS-equipped vehicle exhibited driving behavior that potentially violated traffic safety laws. ODI identified 367 total incidents during the investigation with 109 crashes, of which 102 met SGO reporting criteria and were reported by Waymo under the SGO. Incidents involving potential traffic safety law violations included both non-crash and crash incidents and involved behaviors such as unexpected responses to traffic control devices and entering construction zones. One crash incident involved an injury. Crashes and non-crash incidents that involved traffic safety law concerns had no injuries reported. Within the set of identified incidents, ODI focused its review on a pattern of crashes where Waymo vehicles struck stationary or semi-stationary objects such as gates, barriers, chains, and other objects with similar physical characteristics. Waymo conducted two recalls during the investigation to improve perception and response to objects. Recall 24E049 was filed on June 10, 2024, regarding software updates made following a May 2024 crash in which an unoccupied Waymo vehicle struck a utility pole. Waymo also updated the ADS system to improve the detection and avoidance of roadway barriers, such as chains strung across the path of travel, gates, and other gate-like roadway barriers and filed Recall 25E034 on May 12, 2025. In view of the recall actions taken by Waymo and ODI’s analysis of the available data, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA will continue to monitor crash reports and other sources of data and will take additional action if warranted. The SGO reports cited in the Opening Resume and additional SGO reports involving crashes with stationary or semi-stationary objects, can be found at NHTSA.gov/SGOCrashReporting under the following SGO 2021-01 report IDs: 30270-1160 30270-1220 (Duplicate of 30270-1160) 30270-1494 30270-4363 30270-5081 30270-5318 30270-5758 30270-6133 30270-6548 30270-6561 30270-6838 30270-6981 30270-7048 30270-7054 30270-7058 30270-7308 30270-7312 30270-7534 30270-7729 30270-7794 30270-7936 30270-7947 30270-7969 30270-8145 30270-8146 30270-8152 30270-8156 30270-8219 30270-8344 30270-8356 30270-8357 30270-8397 30270-8443 30270-8483 30270-8513 30270-8602 30270-8624 30270-8661 30270-8809 30270-9082 30270-9126 30270-9169 30270-9177 30270-9192 30270-9287 30270-9355 30270-9372 30270-9410 30270-9420 30270-9437 30270-9442 30270-9517 30270-9606 30270-9763 30270-9764 30270-9823 30270-9828 30270-9855 30270-9873 30270-9883 30270-9886 30270-9893 30270-9907 30270-10006 30270-10042 30270-10076 30270-10087 30270-10274 30270-10288 30270-10361 30270-10421 30270-10471 30270-10497 30270-10558 30270-10561 30270-10563 30270-10602 30270-10631 30270-10727 30270-10863 30270-10865 30270-10891 30270-10909 30270-10912 30270-11001 30270-11007 30270-11010 30270-11062 30270-11088

Vehicles covered

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.