Honda Audit Finds Takata Altered Airbag Test Data
Honda's internal investigation suggests Takata engineers selectively edited airbag inflator test results, raising the prospect of further recalls and deepening the crisis for both companies.
Honda's internal audit has uncovered evidence that Takata engineers manipulated airbag inflator test results before submitting them to the carmaker, deepening the ongoing crisis over faulty airbags. The results, described as 'selective editing,' suggest Takata omitted less favourable test outcomes, potentially masking the true risk to vehicle occupants.
The investigation, jointly funded by Honda and Takata, is not yet complete. However, preliminary findings indicate that Takata systematically removed negative test results from reports provided to Honda. Audit investigator Brian O’Neill said the company left out certain results not because they were outright failures, but because the remaining data painted a more favourable picture of inflator performance.
The audit's early conclusions add weight to previous allegations that Takata tampered with safety data. During legal proceedings, similar behaviour was alleged in Takata’s dealings with other manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan and General Motors. The full extent of the data manipulation remains under review, and the final audit report is expected to clarify the scope of the issue.
Implications for recalls and safety
Honda is the automaker most affected by the Takata airbag inflator crisis. In the United States alone, it has recalled 8.5 million vehicles for a total of 12.2 million inflator replacements. The manipulated test data raises the possibility that more vehicles could be subject to future recalls if further affected batches are identified.
At least ten deaths in the US have been linked to exploding Takata inflators, with nine of the victims in Honda vehicles. The crisis has already forced automakers and regulators to undertake one of the largest recall operations in automotive history. For further details on the scale of airbag failures uncovered in post-recall testing, see Takata Airbag Recall Testing Reveals Hundreds of Ruptures.
