Two autonomous vehicle companies operating in Texas, Waymo and Austin-based Avride, are facing increased scrutiny due to recent incidents.
- Waymo issued a nationwide software recall after a vehicle attempted to enter a flooded road in San Antonio.
- Avride is under federal investigation following multiple crashes involving its vehicles in Texas cities.
These developments highlight increasing regulatory and safety challenges as driverless transportation services expand across Texas.
Waymo Recalls Entire Autonomous Fleet After San Antonio Flood Incident
Waymo voluntarily recalled its entire autonomous fleet after a self-driving vehicle reportedly attempted to enter a flooded roadway in San Antonio during severe storms in late April.
The incident involved the following:
- a Waymo vehicle entering standing water,
- The vehicle stalled after attempting to cross a flooded lane on a high-speed roadway.
The recall affects:
- Nearly 300 Waymo vehicles are operating in Austin,
- Plus additional fleets in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Federal Safety Concerns
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledged the recall in a May 11 letter to Waymo’s leadership.
According to NHTSA:
- existing software “may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways.”
Waymo stated it is implementing the following:
- new software safeguards,
- updated mapping systems,
- and stricter weather-related operating limitations.
The company also reported it is:
- restricting vehicle access to areas prone to flash flooding during severe rain events.
Austin-Based Avride Under Federal Investigation
Separately, NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation into Avride, an Austin-based autonomous vehicle company, following:
- 16 reported crashes in Austin and Dallas,
- involving the company’s automated driving system.
Federal investigators said the crashes involved:
- lane changes into other vehicles,
- failure to avoid roadway objects,
- and potential concerns regarding system “competence.”
The incidents reportedly resulted in the following:
- one minor injury.
Details of the Avride Incidents
According to NHTSA:
- all incidents occurred while the automated driving system was active,
- with human safety operators seated in the driver’s seat.
Many of the reported crashes occurred in Dallas.
The investigation seeks to determine:
- the severity of the issues,
- the broader safety implications,
- and whether further regulatory action is required.
Avride Response
Avride acknowledged the federal investigation and stated that it routinely reports incidents to regulators, regardless of severity or fault.
The company argued:
- Many crashes occurred at low speeds,
- and several incidents may have been caused by the actions of other drivers or road users.
Avride also said it:
- unable to independently confirm the minor injury referenced in NHTSA’s report.
The company noted it has already implemented the following:
- technical improvements,
- operational safeguards,
- and system upgrades following internal reviews of incidents that occurred between December 2025 and March 2026.
Why Texas Is Central to the Story
Texas has become one of the nation’s most active testing grounds for autonomous vehicle deployment because of the following factors:
- large urban markets,
- favorable regulations,
- rapid population growth,
- and significant investment in mobility technology.
Cities such as:
- Austin,
- Dallas,
- Houston,
- and San Antonio have become key hubs for driverless vehicle operations.
Industry Significance
These incidents highlight broader challenges facing the autonomous vehicle industry, including:
- weather-response limitations,
- real-world urban driving complexity,
- software reliability,
- and federal safety oversight.
As autonomous vehicle fleets expand across Texas, both regulators and companies face increasing pressure to demonstrate:
- operational safety,
- technological maturity,
- and public trustworthiness.
Source Details
- Publication: MySA (My San Antonio)
- Article Title: The impact of Waymo, Avride car recalls in Texas cities amid federal probes
- Author: Kelsey Thompson, Austin Digital Reporter
- URL: https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/texas-driverless-vehicles-waymo-avride-22257262.php