Amazon’s self-driving car unit Zoox has voluntarily recalled part of its vehicle software after a minor collision involving one of its robotaxis in Las Vegas.
According to a blog post by the company and a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the crash occurred on April 8, 2025, prompting Zoox to pause all driverless operations for over a week and recall the affected software system.
What Happened in Las Vegas?
The incident involved a Zoox autonomous vehicle operating without a driver and a privately owned passenger car. Zoox said the crash took place when the passenger vehicle approached from a commercial driveway, and the robotaxi incorrectly anticipated that the vehicle would proceed into traffic. Instead, the car stopped to yield. The Zoox vehicle attempted to steer away and braked hard, but the collision was “unavoidable,” according to the company.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and damage to both vehicles was described as minor.
Software Recalled in 270 Vehicles
The company issued a voluntary recall affecting around 270 vehicles equipped with the version of the software involved in the incident. Notably, Zoox clarified that this number does not reflect the full size of its autonomous vehicle fleet, which includes both retrofitted Toyota Highlanders and custom-built robotaxis.
The bug in the self-driving software reportedly involved a flawed prediction model, where the AI system failed to accurately interpret the movement of another vehicle — a risk that could increase the likelihood of future accidents.
Temporary Pause, Swift Update
Zoox halted all driverless testing immediately on the day of the crash and launched an internal investigation. Driverless operations only resumed after a software patch was released on April 17, according to the company’s filing with the NHTSA.
Despite the incident, a Zoox spokesperson confirmed that the company remains on track to launch its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas later this year.
Broader Testing and Prior Incidents
Zoox is currently testing its vehicles in multiple U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Austin, Miami, and Seattle. While its Las Vegas fleet includes the futuristic robotaxi — which lacks both steering wheels and pedals — other cities rely on modified Highlanders with human safety drivers behind the wheel.
This marks Zoox’s second recall in 2025. In March, the company issued a recall for 258 vehicles due to an issue that caused unexpected hard braking.
Meanwhile, Zoox is also still under the microscope from a 2023 NHTSA probe, which followed reports of rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists and Zoox-operated Highlanders. Both vehicles were operating under autonomous mode at the time.
Looking Ahead: Safe Launch or PR Hurdle?
The recall underscores the challenges autonomous vehicle companies face as they approach commercial deployment. While Zoox has taken swift action to address the issue, the timing is delicate as the firm seeks regulatory approval and public trust for its first-ever robotaxi rollout.
With self-driving technology still under intense scrutiny, Zoox’s ability to resolve issues transparently — and maintain momentum toward its commercial goals — could be a defining moment for Amazon’s ambitions in the autonomous mobility space.
