Former airbag manufacturer Takata Corporation had falsified seatbelt test data in at least 1,000 cases, according to the Japan unit of U.S.-based automotive component maker Joyson Safety Systems (JSS).
Takata was found to have over 1,000 cases of tampered seatbelt test data
Reuters reports that the records were discovered in two of Takata’s production facilities in Japan, where JSS took over Takata’s operations in 2017 following the latter’s bankruptcy filing.
An investigation launched by the company in October 2020 revealed that belt webbing used in seatbelts and child safety seats carried falsified test data at the time of shipping to carmakers. The tampering occurred in Takata’s plants in Hikone, Japan and the Philippines, according to JSS Japan president Hisayoshi Iwamitsu, with the test results altered to comply with legal and client standards.
Even test records for child safety seats reportedly have been falsified
Data had been specifically falsified in the Hikone factory over a 20-year period until January 2020, simultaneously occurring at the same time that Takata was struggling with airbag inflator issues.
Iwamitsu said that the company has submitted its investigation report to Japan’s transport ministry, adding that no recalls so far have been planned. No safety issues have been found after they have reexamined the webbing, and the 12 automakers that JSS supplies components to have not implemented measures such as inspections.
No recalls have been issued so far either by JSS or the carmakers it supplies the parts to
He adds that JSS introduced an electronic system in March this year that will prevent further data falsification, and that it is beefing up its staff to better manage product quality.
“In response to the airbag issue, JSS Group as a whole made various efforts including establishing a code of conduct and enhancing compliance awareness among employees, especially those involved in quality management,” JSS Japan senior legal official Kohei Hamamoto said.
The falsification overlapped with Takata's airbag scandals
“Unfortunately, investigators pointed out that wasn’t enough,” he added.
Takata became embroiled in the automotive industry’s biggest safety recall on account of its faulty airbag inflators. The products have been linked to numerous cases of death and injuries, mostly in the U.S. market.
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