The recall affects vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) running software versions released before December 19. According to NHTSA, the software error may cause Zoox vehicles to cross the yellow center line at intersections or stop in front of oncoming traffic, significantly raising the risk of collisions.
Zoox is providing a free software update to address the issue, the agency said. This follows a previous recall in May, when 270 vehicles were updated to improve pedestrian tracking and prevent movement when a person is nearby. That update came in response to a crash in San Francisco earlier that month.
The recall highlights ongoing challenges for autonomous vehicle developers in ensuring safety at complex intersections and pedestrian-heavy areas. Zoox had previously faced scrutiny from NHTSA, which began a probe in 2022 into whether the vehicles complied with federal requirements. The investigation was closed in August after the agency certified Zoox vehicles for demonstration purposes.
While autonomous vehicles continue to show promise for the future of transportation, incidents like these underscore the importance of rigorous software testing and safety oversight as self-driving technology moves closer to mainstream use.