Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC) in Hiroshima today said it investigated all of its 2403 tests (*1) for applications for Type Designation as requested by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT Notification No. 2018). “The investigation results confirmed irregularities in a total of five tests in two test categories, which was reported to the Ministry on 30 May. The irregularities identified this time encompass 150,878 units produced and 149,313 units sold. (*2),” Mazda said. The Japanese Transport Ministry is also investigating Honda, Suzuki, Toyota and Yamaha Motor, among other companies. (Read AutoInformed on: Toyota Releases More Details on Vehicle Certification Fraud)
“We would like to express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and concern this may cause to our customers, business partners, dealers, and all other stakeholders related to Mazda,” MMC said.
Overview
- Irregular processing of test vehicles in crash tests regarding three models which are no longer in production. In a certification test for occupant protection in the event of a frontal collision, an external device was used to trigger a timed activation of the airbag instead of spontaneous activation based on collision detection by an onboard sensor.
- Rewriting of engine control software in the testing on two models which are currently in production. In the certification testing for the on-boarded engine output of gasoline engine, the test should have been performed using engine control software in the same condition as a mass-production vehicle, but it was conducted by using control software in which the ignition timing adjust function was partially deactivated. [Roadster RF Mazda2 with 1.5-liter gasoline engine]
Affected Vehicles and Impact on Customers
In light of the investigation results, shipments of the affected models (the two models in 2. above) that are currently in production have been temporarily suspended since May 30.
The models mentioned in 1. above [Atenza – January 2015 to around May 2018; Axela September 2016 to around March 2019; Atenza/Mazda6 from June 2018], although production of them has already been discontinued, we have conducted in-house technical verification as well as re-tests, and confirmed that these models have the performance that meets the legal standards for occupant protection performance in the event of a frontal collision. There is no safety issue for the customers to continue to drive the affected vehicles. We will promptly take appropriate measures such as confirmation of conformance with laws and regulations in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
With regard to the test described in 2 above, which is not related to vehicle safety, [Roadster RF Mazda2 with 1.5-liter gasoline engine] customers who own the subject vehicles can continue to drive them safely. We will promptly conduct the tests again under the same conditions as those for mass-production vehicles and make preparations to undergo a re-examination by the authorities for type designation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and concern this may cause to customers who have been waiting for the delivery of vehicles.
Causes of Irregularities
- Insufficiency of governance structure and mechanism to check whether tests are conducted in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation.
- Inadequate procedures for conducting tests in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation.
- Insufficient facilities to stably meet testing conditions in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation.
Recurrence Prevention Measures
- Re-establish a system and governance structure to check whether tests are conducted in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation.
- Thorough refinement of test procedures to proper implementation in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation, and thoroughly ensure educations and practices of those procedures and tests.
- Strengthen facility maintenance that enables providing testing conditions stably in conformance with laws and regulations for type designation.
“Once again, we deeply regret any inconvenience this incident may cause to our customers, business partners, dealers, and all other stakeholders associated with Mazda. We consider this case as an important matter and are committed to preventing it from happening again in the future under management responsibility,” MMC said.
*Inevitable Mazda Footnotes
- 10 years from January 2014 to January 2024.
- Cumulative number of affected vehicles as of the end of March 2024
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mazda Releases Certification Results in Japanese Fraud Cases
Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC) in Hiroshima today said it investigated all of its 2403 tests (*1) for applications for Type Designation as requested by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT Notification No. 2018). “The investigation results confirmed irregularities in a total of five tests in two test categories, which was reported to the Ministry on 30 May. The irregularities identified this time encompass 150,878 units produced and 149,313 units sold. (*2),” Mazda said. The Japanese Transport Ministry is also investigating Honda, Suzuki, Toyota and Yamaha Motor, among other companies. (Read AutoInformed on: Toyota Releases More Details on Vehicle Certification Fraud)
“We would like to express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and concern this may cause to our customers, business partners, dealers, and all other stakeholders related to Mazda,” MMC said.
Overview
Affected Vehicles and Impact on Customers
In light of the investigation results, shipments of the affected models (the two models in 2. above) that are currently in production have been temporarily suspended since May 30.
The models mentioned in 1. above [Atenza – January 2015 to around May 2018; Axela September 2016 to around March 2019; Atenza/Mazda6 from June 2018], although production of them has already been discontinued, we have conducted in-house technical verification as well as re-tests, and confirmed that these models have the performance that meets the legal standards for occupant protection performance in the event of a frontal collision. There is no safety issue for the customers to continue to drive the affected vehicles. We will promptly take appropriate measures such as confirmation of conformance with laws and regulations in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
With regard to the test described in 2 above, which is not related to vehicle safety, [Roadster RF Mazda2 with 1.5-liter gasoline engine] customers who own the subject vehicles can continue to drive them safely. We will promptly conduct the tests again under the same conditions as those for mass-production vehicles and make preparations to undergo a re-examination by the authorities for type designation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and concern this may cause to customers who have been waiting for the delivery of vehicles.
Causes of Irregularities
Recurrence Prevention Measures
“Once again, we deeply regret any inconvenience this incident may cause to our customers, business partners, dealers, and all other stakeholders associated with Mazda. We consider this case as an important matter and are committed to preventing it from happening again in the future under management responsibility,” MMC said.
*Inevitable Mazda Footnotes
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.