Recent Outages Impacting Amazon Users
On March 5, 2026, Amazon faced significant disruptions as thousands of users reported issues accessing its website. The problems began around 2:15 p.m., with over 18,000 reports of page errors flooding in.
As the situation unfolded, reports of issues began to decline shortly after 2:20 p.m. However, the number of complaints surged again around 3:00 p.m., indicating ongoing challenges. By 7 p.m., the situation had improved, with fewer than 1,300 reports on Downdetector, suggesting that services were being restored.
Users encountered various issues, including problems with checkout, payment errors, and fluctuating prices on items. Additionally, Amazon Fresh experienced difficulties, preventing customers from placing pickup or delivery orders.
Concerns surrounding the outages were amplified when Elon Musk advised Amazon to “proceed with caution” amid reports that AI-assisted coding changes were contributing to the disruptions. This warning came in light of Amazon’s internal memos indicating that the company had experienced four critical incidents in just one week linked to these AI changes.
Amazon’s internal AI coding assistant, known as ‘Kiro’, has been reported to generate flawed code, raising questions about the reliability of AI tools in critical operations. In response to the incidents, Amazon implemented stricter controls requiring senior approval for AI-generated code changes made by junior and mid-level engineers.
Industry experts have noted that these outages reflect broader growing pains in the tech sector regarding the integration of generative AI tools. As Amazon pushes forward with its AI initiatives, which include plans for $200 billion in capital expenditure for AI infrastructure, the challenges of maintaining service reliability have become increasingly apparent.
Despite Amazon’s history of outages, including major AWS incidents unrelated to AI, the recent problems have drawn particular scrutiny due to their connection with AI-generated code changes. As the situation evolves, the exact causes of these outages remain unconfirmed, leaving many questions unanswered.
Amazon’s Help account issued an apology, stating, “We’re sorry if you’re experiencing issues while placing an order. We’re working to fix this as quickly as possible.” This acknowledgment highlights the company’s commitment to resolving the ongoing challenges.
As the integration of AI continues to reshape the technology landscape, the implications of these outages extend beyond Amazon, prompting discussions about the future of AI in critical systems.
