Zoox recalls 332 self-driving vehicles in the U.S. due to a software issue that may cause collisions, offering a free update to affected cars

Amazon’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, has announced a recall of 332 self-driving vehicles in the United States following a critical software issue identified by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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The recall affects vehicles running automated driving system software versions released before December 19.

NHTSA warned that the defect could cause Zoox vehicles to cross the yellow centre line at intersections or stop in front of oncoming traffic, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.

Zoox is providing a free software update to address the problem.

The move follows a May recall of 270 vehicles aimed at improving pedestrian detection and preventing movement when someone is nearby, prompted by a crash in San Francisco earlier that month.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges for autonomous vehicle developers in ensuring safe navigation at complex intersections and pedestrian-heavy areas.

Zoox had previously faced scrutiny from NHTSA, which investigated in 2022 whether its vehicles met federal standards.

The probe was closed in August after the vehicles were certified for demonstration purposes.

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While self-driving technology continues to promise safer, more efficient transportation, incidents like these emphasise the need for rigorous software testing, continuous monitoring, and strict safety oversight before widespread deployment.