The record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

Reports people file about their own experience are not shown here and never will be without their agreement. Tell us what happened to you.

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41 incidents matching “Waymo” · public reporting

WF-TQUWY37 Jan 2026

Waymo passenger flees robotaxi stuck on Phoenix light rail tracks

A Waymo self-driving car mistakenly drove onto light rail tracks in Phoenix, forcing a passenger to flee the vehicle. The incident occurred near moving trains before the car continued along the tracks. Valley Metro confirmed it was notified and responded, and Waymo was contacted.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-HWCQXU16 Feb 2025

Waymo sued after robotaxi doors cyclist in San Francisco bike lane

Jenifer Hanki, 26, was cycling in a marked bike lane in San Francisco when a Waymo robotaxi pulled over and a passenger opened a door into her path, causing a collision. She alleges the vehicle's Safe Exit system failed to warn of her approach, and she suffered brain and spine injuries. Hanki has sued Waymo and Alphabet for negligence, battery, and emotional distress, and the case is pending in San Francisco County Superior Court. Waymo did not comment on the lawsuit but pointed to its overall safety record.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-RZAFQ69 May 2026

Waymo rider trapped in robotaxi during vandalism attack in San Francisco

In May 2026, Sherman Watson was riding in a Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco when two men attacked the vehicle, smashing the windshield. The car stopped and remained stationary, trapping Watson inside for about 10 minutes while he feared for his life. Waymo's remote assistant called police but could not move the car. Watson later sought therapy and requested video footage from Waymo, which the company has not provided, citing the need for a police search warrant.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo robotaxi

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-9XSD5E23 Jan 2026

Waymo self-driving car hits child near Santa Monica school, US opens probe

A Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child crossing the street near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on 23 January 2026, during school drop-off hours. The child sustained minor injuries. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into the incident. Waymo stated that the child emerged suddenly from behind a double-parked SUV and that the vehicle braked, reducing speed from 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact, and that a computer model suggested a human driver would have also hit the child.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-D4DS2M11 Dec 2023

Waymo Self-Driving Taxis Crash into Backwards-Towed Pickup in Phoenix

On 11 December 2023, two Waymo autonomous vehicles collided with a pickup truck being towed backwards in Phoenix, Arizona. The vehicles were operating without passengers and sustained minor damage, with no injuries reported. Waymo attributed the crashes to a software error that mispredicted the towed vehicle's motion and subsequently deployed a fix. The company filed a voluntary recall report with the NHTSA.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo Driver

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-EDM4F821 May 2024

Waymo recalls robotaxi software after crash into telephone pole

On May 21, 2024, a Waymo autonomous vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Phoenix, Arizona, while driving to a passenger pickup location. The vehicle was damaged but no one was injured. Waymo issued a voluntary recall and updated the software and mapping for its entire fleet of 672 vehicles to correct an error that assigned a low damage score to the pole and to improve the map.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo autonomous vehicle

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-SAER6E4 Jul 2026

Waymo vehicle catches fire after driving over firework in San Francisco

On 4 July 2026, an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi caught fire in San Francisco after driving over a lit firework. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred amid widespread traffic congestion, with multiple Waymo vehicles becoming disabled and blocking roads. Waymo coordinated with the fire department to remove the vehicle and said it was evaluating ways to improve resilience during major disruptions.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-IJ5VZ921 May 2023

Waymo self-driving car kills dog in San Francisco collision

A Waymo self-driving car in autonomous mode killed a small dog in San Francisco on May 21, 2023. The vehicle detected the dog running from behind a parked car but could not stop in time. Waymo expressed condolences and said it is investigating. The incident adds to concerns over robotaxi expansion in the city.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo self-driving system

5 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-LYSPZN30 Sep 2024

Waymo driverless taxi blocked by men demanding passenger's number

A woman using a Waymo driverless taxi in San Francisco was trapped when two men blocked the vehicle and demanded her phone number. The autonomous car stalled, and the men persisted despite her protests. Waymo's rider support contacted her during the incident and followed up afterwards. The passenger described the experience as terrifying and warned others to be careful when riding alone.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

8 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-LMTEHE11 Apr 2026

Waymo restricts freeway rides after robotaxis enter construction zones

Waymo has voluntarily recalled 3,871 robotaxis after some entered freeway construction zones in Phoenix and the Bay Area. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the software may allow a vehicle to enter a closed construction zone, increasing crash risk. Waymo is developing a software fix to detect and avoid construction zones. No crashes or injuries were reported.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo fifth-generation automated driving system

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-1S87VK17 Sep 2026Spanish

Is Your Robotaxi Watching You? A Waymo Reports Two Passengers for Carrying a Weapon in the U.S.

¿Tu robotaxi te vigila? Un Waymo delata a dos pasajeros por portar un arma en EE. UU. - Imagen Radio

A Waymo robotaxi detected a loaded firearm inside the vehicle and alerted emergency services, leading to the arrest of two young passengers. The incident has sparked debate over privacy and the use of internal cameras and AI monitoring in autonomous vehicles.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-MJU9CB20 Sep 2026

A Waymo Drove Into a Denver Farmers Market. Yes, There Were Barricades. - Totally The Bomb

The Waymo vehicle drove into a farmers market, moving among vendors and pedestrians setting up.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-HN4TV23 Feb 2024

Waymo passengers felt trapped during pedestrian attack in San Francisco

A couple riding in a Waymo driverless car in San Francisco felt trapped when a pedestrian attempted to cover the vehicle's sensors. The passengers contacted Waymo support and were advised to remain inside the vehicle. The pedestrian eventually walked away, and the passengers were unharmed. Waymo stated that remaining inside is often the safest course of action during such an event.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo Driver

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-R3ZXWT27 Oct 2025

Waymo autonomous vehicle allegedly kills beloved San Francisco bodega cat KitKat

A Waymo autonomous vehicle allegedly struck and killed KitKat, a 9-year-old cat that was a beloved mascot of Randa's Market in San Francisco's Mission District, on the night of October 27, 2025. Witnesses reported that the vehicle swerved and did not stop after hitting the cat, which later died at a veterinary hospital. The incident has sparked mourning among neighbors and calls for accountability, with a 311 complaint filed alleging the car 'did not even try to stop.' Waymo did not respond to requests for comment.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-UJHJW38 Dec 2025

Man gets stuck in trunk of Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles

A man jumped into the open trunk of a Waymo robotaxi in Los Angeles and became trapped. The next passenger discovered him upon the vehicle's arrival, and police removed the man. Waymo acknowledged the incident was unacceptable and said it is implementing changes to prevent similar occurrences. The event was captured on video and shared widely on social media.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo robotaxi

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-U5J4RS17 May 2021

Waymo self-driving taxi blocks road after confusion with traffic cones

A Waymo self-driving taxi in Phoenix, Arizona, became confused by traffic cones closing a lane and stopped, blocking the road. The vehicle repeatedly drove away from roadside assistance dispatched to help, before a human driver took over. Waymo acknowledged the incident, stating that its remote guidance team provided incorrect instructions and that it has since improved its operational process. The passenger, who documented the event, said such mistakes are rare.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo Driver

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-FJQPUZ1 Mar 2026

Austin council demands Waymo meeting after cars blocked first responders

Austin City Council member Zo Qadri and colleagues sent a letter to Waymo after a March 1 autonomous vehicle allegedly stopped on a street near a mass shooting, requiring an officer to move it. The city wants to discuss emergency-response procedures at a joint committee meeting on April 29. Waymo had not responded to the letter as of the interview, and the council member expressed frustration that the city lacks authority to regulate autonomous vehicles on its streets.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo Driver

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-2KUQ7U20 Dec 2025

Waymo Robotaxis Stall in San Francisco During Power Outage, Causing Congestion

On 20 December 2025, Waymo's driverless robotaxis stalled at intersections in San Francisco during a power outage, treating dark traffic signals as four-way stops and requesting confirmation checks. The backlog of checks caused response delays and traffic congestion. Waymo suspended its service at the request of city officials to clear streets for emergency vehicles and later explained that it is refining its system to handle such outages more decisively. The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the incident.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo robotaxi

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-RK2OLR12 Oct 2021

Waymo vehicles repeatedly turn around on San Francisco dead-end street

Residents of a dead-end street in San Francisco's Richmond District say Waymo self-driving cars have been driving down their street and making U-turns every five minutes for six to eight weeks. The constant hum of the vehicles has become a nuisance for neighbours working from home. Waymo said the cars were obeying road rules, taking a U-turn due to Slow Streets signage on Lake, and that it continually adjusts to dynamic San Francisco road rules.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo Driver

9 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-QXCVQM20 Apr 2026

Waymo recalls 3,500 robotaxis after vehicle enters flooded Texas road

On April 20, 2026, an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi entered a flooded road in San Antonio, Texas, during severe weather. No injuries occurred, but the incident prompted Waymo to issue a voluntary recall of up to 3,791 vehicles due to software that could allow the cars to drive onto flooded roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published recall documents, and Waymo stated it is implementing additional software safeguards and has restricted operations in extreme weather. The fix is still under development.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo autonomous driving system

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-MGXNBF1 Sep 2025

Waymo robotaxi investigated for failing to stop for school bus in Atlanta

An autonomous Waymo vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia, passed a stopped school bus with its stop arm and flashing red lights deployed, driving near students who were getting off the bus. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating how Waymo's automated driving system performs around stopped school buses. No injuries were reported. Waymo said the bus had partially blocked the vehicle's exit, obscuring the bus's signals, and that it has since updated its software.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo automated driving system

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-Q65FVM27 Aug 2026

Denver drivers question Waymo behavior after chain-reaction crash - CBS News

A Waymo autonomous vehicle stopped in a travel lane, and two following drivers were involved in a chain-reaction crash, suffering minor injuries and vehicle damage.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo autonomous vehicle

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-SH1YQXArabic

Waymo Self-Driving Taxis Proactively Report to Police After Discovering Passenger Hiding a Gun

قامت سيارات الأجرة ذاتية القيادة من شركة Waymo بإبلاغ الشرطة بشكل استباقي بعد اكتشافها أن أحد الركاب كان يخفي مسدساً.…

A Waymo self-driving taxi in San Francisco detected two teenage passengers carrying an unidentified AR-15 rifle loaded with ammunition. The vehicle automatically stopped and alerted police, leading to the arrest of the two teenagers. Waymo stated that its system can identify violations of its terms of service, including carrying weapons, and will proactively notify police.

Company involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-MTSAVT6 Oct 2026

Waymo recalls 672 robotaxis after alley pole bump in Phoenix - NewsBytes

A robotaxi slowly bumped into a utility pole in a Phoenix alley

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo robotaxi

1 source article · read the reporting →

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