Zoox's 332-Unit Autonomous Fleet Faces Critical Software Glitch at Intersections

Zoox, Amazon’s self-driving subsidiary, has initiated a comprehensive recall affecting its entire operational U.S. fleet after discovering a serious flaw in its automated driving system. The company notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the voluntary action covering 332 vehicles equipped with the problematic ADS software.

The Problem: Unsafe Lane Crossing Behavior

The core issue centers on unpredictable vehicle behavior near intersections. Under specific conditions, Zoox’s autonomous vehicles exhibited a concerning tendency to cross lane markings unnecessarily when approaching or navigating through intersections. While fortunately no collisions, injuries, or deaths have been documented, the flaw represented a significant safety vulnerability that demanded immediate attention.

Root Causes Identified

Zoox’s investigation revealed the problem stemmed from multiple interconnected software failures rather than a single bug. The primary culprits included misidentification of double-parked cars as valid travel space, erratic route recalculations triggered without apparent cause, and execution failures in collision-avoidance algorithms designed to prevent obstruction of cross-traffic. These cascading software errors created scenarios where the vehicle’s decision-making logic contradicted basic traffic safety rules.

Timeline and Resolution

The defect came to light on August 26, 2025, when a Zoox robotaxi performed an unexpectedly wide lane change that carried it into oncoming traffic. This incident triggered deeper analysis, which uncovered 62 additional similar occurrences across the fleet during subsequent months. The company collaborated with regulators on a systematic fix, deploying an interim patch in November followed by a complete software overhaul completed in mid-December. By December 19, 2025, all 332 vehicles operating in public environments had been updated, successfully concluding the recall process.

Unique Recall Advantage

Unlike traditional automakers, Zoox’s ownership and operation of its entire fleet streamlined the recall execution. The company maintained direct control over each vehicle’s software deployment, eliminating the need for customer or dealer notifications and enabling rapid, coordinated updates across the entire 332-unit fleet.