Japanese carmakers under fire over dodgy safety tests

There’s a growing safety scandal in Japan affecting millions of cars that has come to light following an investigation by government authorities. 

Carmakers including Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha have admitted filing false safety reports. While most of the cars are discontinued models, Toyota and Mazda have been forced to halt sales of current cars involved. 

The worst offender of the group appears to be Toyota – the carmaker has stopped sales of its Yaris Cross and Japanese market Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder models, while Mazda has paused production on its hardtop MX-5 and 1.5-litre petrol Mazda2 hatchback while the tests are redone.

Mazda has said that it faked impact tests and manipulated engine software on specific models during testing, while Toyota admitted to falsifying engine test results and reporting that it had done regulation crash tests when the required procedures weren’t followed.

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda gave a grovelling apology over the issue at a lengthy press conference, and looks to be under pressure as the carmaker approaches its annual shareholders meeting on 18 June, with calls for shareholders to block the company founder’s grandson from reappointment.

“As the person responsible for the Toyota Group, I would like to extend my sincere apologies to our customers, car enthusiasts, and all stakeholders for this issue, following Hino, Daihatsu, and Toyota Industries Corporation. I am truly sorry.” 

Mazda said in a statement that it “deeply regretted any inconvenience”.

Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha have admitted faking results on tests of cars they say are no longer on sale, though Suzuki said that its misdemeanour was the result of “tight deadlines” meaning a test couldn’t be done properly.

The irregularities came to light as Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conduction an investigation following previous safety certification issues at Toyota group companies, where Daihatsu had admitted to falsified safety data and engine division Toyota Industries Corp said that it had supplied faked engine data. 

Carmakers were told of the investigation in January 2024 and required to submit reports to the government on their test procedures – representatives from the transport ministry visited Toyota offices this week and have indicated that they will pay further visits to the carmakers.