In March 2025, Zoox agreed to a recall of 258 vehicles with software versions released before Nov. 5 after a federal investigation into hard braking linked to two rear-end collisions that injured motorcyclists. Zoox said software updates had addressed two braking scenarios, reported no further occurrences, and agreed to the recall in light of NHTSA’s position.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Amazon.com's self-driving unit Zoox agreed to recall 258 vehicles due to issues with its automated driving system that could cause unexpected hard braking, after a U.S. investigation, according to a company filing Wednesday.
This is not Zoox’s first recall. The company voluntarily recalled the software on its vehicles in March 2025 to resolve a hard-braking issue that NHTSA had been investigating since 2024. It issued two more recalls in May 2025 after a collision with a passenger car, and an incident where a Zoox vehicle was struck by an e-scooter rider.
Four of the injuries Zoox reported in 2025 happened after the company issued a recall meant to resolve a year-long federal investigation into the tendency of its autonomous vehicles to brake unexpectedly. Zoox told TechCrunch the recall addressed an extremely narrow braking behavior and said the later incidents — and any resulting injuries — are unrelated to the software fix.
Zoox recalled software for its 105-vehicle fleet after an unoccupied robotaxi entered a smoke-obscured emergency fire scene on June 20, 2026, braked hard and stopped. A teleoperator directed it to reverse; no injuries were identified. Zoox said this was its only such incident and that an update added smoke detection and response capability.
WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab self-driving car unit Zoox said Friday it will recall its fleet of 105 autonomous vehicles because they may not detect heavy smoke and could impede emergency personnel.
Amazon's Zoox voluntarily recalled 105 of its robotaxis to address a software issue where the vehicles failed to detect heavy smoke and drove into it.
In December 2025, Zoox voluntarily recalled software affecting 332 vehicles after identifying maneuvers that could cross center lines near intersections or block crosswalks. The company found 62 lane-crossing instances from Aug. 26 to Dec. 5, said there were no associated collisions, and reported software updates in November and December to address the issues.
Amazon-owned Zoox issued a recall Tuesday over concerns its autonomous driving system caused vehicles to cross over the center lane line near intersections or block crosswalks. The voluntary recall of its software affected 332 vehicles, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In August 2020, a Zoox shareholder sued in Delaware seeking records to investigate allegations that the company’s board and executives used the pandemic as a pretext for a self-dealing proposed sale to Amazon. The complaint alleged that leadership bonuses and stock rights would dwarf the share of sale proceeds going to public investors; these were claims, not established findings.
Zoox Inc. was sued for records in Delaware by a shareholder looking to probe claims that the self-driving vehicle company’s board and top executives used the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to engineer a $1.3 billion proposed sale to Amazon on self-dealing terms.
In August 2026, as Zoox began charging Las Vegas passengers, the company shared its safety-case framework with Axios. Zoox described assessing risks across software, vehicles and fleet operations using simulations, testing and driving data, with a goal of outperforming human drivers. The framework reflects company methods and assumptions, not independent certification.
Driving the news: Zoox aims to begin building such trust by publishing its comprehensive safety case framework, which it shared first with Axios.
On July 30, 2026, NHTSA granted Amazon-owned Zoox a temporary exemption from parts of eight federal vehicle-safety standards, allowing commercial deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles a year for two years. Zoox said it would start charging in Las Vegas; paid service elsewhere remains subject to state and local approvals. The exemption requires enhanced oversight and can be changed or revoked over safety concerns.
Federal safety regulators have given Zoox a temporary exemption that will allow the Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle technology company to charge customers for rides in its custom-built robotaxi.
Zoox is also working to make its vehicles familiar to people who may not have tried a robotaxi. It has sponsored the Stern Grove Festival, North Beach Festival, and Flower Piano in Golden Gate Park. The company has also partnered with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and local businesses, including restaurants featured as destinations in its ride program.
SAN DIEGO, July 30 : Amazon's Zoox unit has won U.S. approval for limited commercial deployment of its novel steering-wheel-free robotaxis, a first for the autonomous ride industry, the U.S. auto safety agency said on Thursday.
Zoox just got permission to charge for robotaxi rides in its boxy, steering-wheel-less vehicles. On Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it has granted the Amazon-owned Zoox a temporary exemption, allowing it to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually over the next two years, as reported earlier by Reuters.
Zoox argued that granting its application for exemption for the robotaxi is consistent with the public interest and the objectives of the Safety Act for several reasons. Zoox stated that introducing an automated robotaxi that meets or exceeds the performance of a human driver would enhance the overall safety of the transportation system and would directly support the U.S. economy by supporting existing businesses and offering consumers additional transportation mobility. Zoox also argued the exemption would be in the public interest as it would further advance and solidify U.S. standing and leadership in AI and automated vehicle technology, as well as signal to the industry and global competitors this administration's commitment to ensuring American companies can achieve and maintain the lead in automated vehicle innovation. Specific to the Safety Act, Zoox argued that safety is maintained because the robotaxi provides at least an overall level of safety equivalent to nonexempt vehicles. In addition, Zoox asserted that the standards from which it seeks exemptions are predicated on the presence of physical controls and equipment intended for use by a human driver and, therefore, do not improve the safety of a vehicle designed to be operated exclusively by an ADS. Zoox also contended that, notwithstanding the absence of such driver-related equipment, the robotaxi satisfies the underlying performance objectives and safety functions embodied in the standards for which exemptions are sought.
NHTSA is granting an exemption to Zoox, Inc. (Zoox) to allow it to manufacture and deploy commercially a passenger car, which is equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS), that does not comply with certain requirements in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Specifically, NHTSA grants Zoox an exemption for its Zoox sedan from certain requirements in eight FMVSS: FMVSS No. 103, Windshield defrosting and defogging systems; FMVSS No. 104, Windshield wiping and washing systems; FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment; FMVSS No. 111, Rear visibility; FMVSS No. 135, Light vehicle brake systems; FMVSS No. 201, Occupant protection in interior impact; FMVSS No. 205, Glazing materials; and FMVSS No. 208, Occupant crash protection. NHTSA is granting Zoox's application on the basis that compliance with these requirements would prevent Zoox from selling, or otherwise commercially deploying, a motor vehicle with an overall safety level at least equal to the overall safety level of a vehicle that complies with all ( printed page 48495) applicable FMVSS. NHTSA grants Zoox an exemption subject to certain specified terms and conditions, including the application of an enhanced oversight condition. Under this condition, NHTSA will issue Operational Authorizations that may update and expand as Zoox's ADS technology matures.
Zoox, Inc. (“Zoox”) has petitioned NHTSA for a temporary exemption from certain requirements in eight Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) applicable to its ( printed page 12043) passenger car equipped with an automated driving system (ADS). Specifically, Zoox seeks exemption from portions of FMVSS No. 103, Windshield defrosting and defogging systems; FMVSS No. 104, Windshield wiping and washing systems; FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment; FMVSS No. 111, Rear visibility; FMVSS No. 135, Light vehicle brake systems; FMVSS No. 201, Occupant protection in interior impact; FMVSS No. 205, Glazing materials; and FMVSS No. 208, Occupant crash protection. NHTSA is publishing this document in accordance with statutory and administrative provisions and seeks comment on the merits of Zoox's exemption application and on potential terms and conditions that should be applied to a temporary exemption if granted. After receiving and considering public comments, NHTSA will make a decision on the merits of the application and will publish a notice in the Federal Register setting forth NHTSA's reasoning for either granting or denying the petition.
Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles.
After an official letter urged autonomous-vehicle developers to address driverless vehicles interfering with law enforcement and first responders, Zoox recalled 105 vehicles for a software update. The company said they might not detect heavy smoke, particularly during active emergencies. NHTSA official Morrison warned the agency could use its full enforcement authority if issues continued.
This month, Morrison issued a letter telling autonomous vehicle, or AV, developers to "immediately focus" on fixing what NHTSA identified as "a clear pattern of driverless AVs interfering with law enforcement and other first responders."
Zoox settled Tesla’s lawsuit alleging that four former Tesla employees copied confidential materials before joining Zoox. Zoox acknowledged that some new hires possessed Tesla shipping, receiving and warehouse documents when they joined its logistics team, and said it would pay an undisclosed sum. Tesla was given an opportunity to audit Zoox; the terms and audit outcome were not reported.
“Zoox acknowledges that certain of its new hires from Tesla were in possession of Tesla documents pertaining to shipping, receiving, and warehouse procedures when they joined Zoox’s logistics team,” Zoox said in a statement to Reuters. Zoox says it will pay Tesla an undisclosed sum. Tesla will also get a chance to audit Zoox and confirm that the employees no longer possess confidential Tesla documents.
In November 2025, Zoox began offering no-cost rides through its Zoox Explorer program in select San Francisco neighborhoods, including SoMa and the Mission. The company said the program would gather structured feedback on rider comfort, routing, accessibility and the service experience as it refines its purpose-built, control-free robotaxi.
San Francisco continues to cement its role as one of the world’s most important testing grounds for autonomous mobility. The latest milestone: Zoox has begun offering limited public rides through its “Zoox Explorer” program in select neighborhoods, including SoMa and the Mission. Through this initiative, invited participants can try the service at no cost while providing structured feedback as the company refines its technology and user experience.
San Francisco police are investigating a January 17, 2026 crash in which a Zoox robotaxi struck a parked Cadillac’s open driver-side door; the car’s owner reportedly suffered a hand injury. Zoox said the car door opened suddenly, its vehicle tried to avoid it, and contact was unavoidable. A Zoox employee passenger was uninjured; the investigation remains open.
The San Francisco Police Department is investigating an accident involving a Zoox autonomous vehicle that crashed into the driver’s-side door of a parked car, TechCrunch has learned.
NHTSA opened a probe in March 2023 into Zoox’s 2022 self-certification of a robotaxi without traditional driving controls. The investigation was still open, according to a March 2025 report; the supplied evidence gives no further outcome.
NHTSA in March 2023 opened a probe into the self-certification by Zoox in 2022 of a robotaxi without traditional driving controls that remans open.
Zoox plans to begin receiving Panasonic Energy 2170 cylindrical battery cells in early 2026. The cells are expected to come initially from Japan, with eventual production planned in Kansas. The report describes a future supply arrangement, not a completed delivery or domestic production.
Starting in early 2026, Zoox will be receiving batteries from Panasonic Energy. It will be using 2170 cylindrical batteries from the Japanese battery producer that was once Tesla’s exclusive battery supplier (and still supplies some of Tesla’s batteries).
Zoox issued several software recalls in 2025, including a March recall addressing unexpected hard braking after NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation following reports of two motorcyclists colliding with the backs of Zoox vehicles. In May, the company filed two more software recalls over concerns about its system predicting other road users’ movements.
Zoox has issued several software recalls this year, including one in March to address unexpected hard braking. That recall followed a preliminary investigation by NHTSA that was opened after the agency received two reports of motorcyclists colliding with the back of Zoox vehicles.
In November 2024, Zoox said initial robotaxi testing would take place in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, with rides limited to employees as the company refined the experience. Zoox said it would expand testing to other neighborhoods over time. A Forbes contributor who is disabled welcomed the prospect of another future accessible transport option, while noting he could not assess the vehicle’s accessibility firsthand.
Earlier this week, Zoox put out a blog post wherein the company proclaimed San Francisco its home, adding “initial testing for our robotaxi will occur in a focused area: the vibrant SoMa neighborhood in San Francisco.” During this period, rides aren’t available to the general public; Zoox is giving rides only to employees in an effort to “refine the experience.” As the testing phase moves along, Zoox says “we will expand our geofence to include additional neighborhoods throughout the city.”