Japan gov't uncovers more issues with Toyota vehicle testing

The procedural irregularities regarding safety testing and vehicle certification saga continue for Toyota.

After being caught using methods that are different from the standards defined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT), the Japanese government has given Toyota a correction order that urges the brand to make drastic reforms to ensure appropriate certification operations.

The order was given after MLIT found new irregularities in seven additional models, on top of the seven that were previously reported by Toyota. This time, the Japanese automaker was found to have not followed government instructions in conducting safety tests for three models already out of production and four models that are currently on sale. The models involved are the following:

Toyota itself went through a series of investigations and found that these issues were caused by both on-site and management factors such as unclear internal operational rules for preparing documents required for certification application, insufficient clarification and management of resources required for the certification process, insufficient awareness of the importance of certification work, and the lack of understanding and involvement of management/executives in the overall certification process.

Previously, companies in the Toyota group such as Hino, Daihatsu, and Toyota Industries have already received administrative punishments and corrective orders after they have been found to have fraudulent certifications. Once again, Toyota has offered its apologies to its customers and stakeholders regarding this issue.

While the additional cars did not undergo the proper certification and testing procedures, Toyota says customers do not need to stop using the vehicles.