ADS Software May Fail to Detect a Person Right Next to the Vehicle
Safety Recall
- Manufacturer
- Zoox, Inc.
- Units affected
- 270
- Recall opened
- —
- Report date
- May 22, 2025
- Manufacturer campaign
- 25-03
- Type
- Equipment
Affected vehicles (1)
- ZOOX AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEM9999
Component / system
Defect
Zoox, Inc. (Zoox) is recalling certain Automated Driving Systems (ADS) equipped with software versions released prior to May 21, 2025. The ADS may allow the vehicle to move after failing to detect a person right next to the vehicle.
Risk / consequence
A vehicle that moves when a person is right next to the vehicle increases the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy
Zoox has updated the ADS software, free of charge. All affected driverless fleet vehicles were repaired by May 21, 2025. Zoox's number for this recall is 25-03.
Chronology of events
- May 8, 2025
On May 8, 2025, in San Francisco, CA, an unoccupied stopped Zoox robotaxi operating in autonomy was struck by an e-scooterist. The e-scooterist fell to the ground directly next to the vehicle. The robotaxi then started to move, but did not make contact with the fallen e-scooterist. Minor injuries related to the initial collision were reported. Zoox paused all driverless vehicle operations across all geofences to conduct an internal review. Between May 8, 2025 and May 15, 2025, Zoox confirmed the root cause, implemented a software update, and conducted simulation and testing with both robotaxis and drivered, retrofitted test vehicles.
- May 9, 2025
On May 9, 2025, Zoox reported the incident to NHTSA in accordance with the Standing General Order (SGO Report 30610-10711) and offered a heads-up call to NHTSA. Zoox met several times with NHTSA to discuss the SGO submission and answered additional questions between May 13, 2025 and May 21, 2025. Between May 15, 2025 and May 20, 2025, Zoox verified the software update through the safety clearance process.
- May 21, 2025
On May 21, 2025, updated software was deployed to all impacted Zoox vehicles in use for public road operation. Following confirmation of the deployment of the updated software, operations resumed in all geofences. The Zoox Safety Committee met on May 19 and 21, 2025 and after final analysis and review of all the facts, made a determination to voluntarily and proactively submit this Part 573 notification for the remedied software.
Notification schedule
- Dealer notification
- No Dealers
- Owner notification
- Phased Recall
Source: NHTSA campaign 25E037000. Always confirm recall status and remedy availability with the manufacturer or a dealer using your VIN.