Takata falsified seatbelt data in over 1,000 cases: Report  

Updated Jun 22, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Its plants in Japan and the Philippines were found to have doctored records.

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). 

Front passenger seatbelt

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.

Child safety seat

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.   

Rear seatbelts

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. 

Airbag deployed in accident

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. 

Our automotive industry updates are anything but falsified at Philkotse.com

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

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Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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