Toyota halts shipments of popular diesel models over testing ‘irregularities’

Toyota has suspended shipments of some of its most popular models fitted with diesel engines after “irregularities” were discovered during testing.

According to a statement from the Japanese carmaker, an investigation committee found that three diesel engines produced by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) were fitted with different engine management software compared to that found in mass-production vehicles.

Toyota says this was done to make horsepower output performance data appear smoother with less variation during certification testing.

“During certification testing, the horsepower output performance of engines was measured using ECUs with software that differed from that used for mass production so that results could measure to make values appear smoother with less variation,” the company stated.

In response to the investigation, TICO decided to temporarily suspend shipments of the affected engines, ultimately causing Toyota to do the same for the models they come in.

The affected engines include the 2.8-litre ‘1GD’ turbocharged inline four-cylinder diesel, 2.4-litre ‘2GD’ turbocharged inline four-cylinder diesel, and 3.3-litre ‘F33A’ twin-turbocharged V6 diesel.

That brings the affected number of models to ten worldwide which include the Land Cruiser Prado, Hiace, Dyna, Hilux, Fortuner, Land Cruiser 300, and Lexus LX500d.

“We have re-verified the mass-produced products manufactured at the plant and confirmed that the affected engines and vehicles meet engine performance output standards,” stated Toyota.

“Therefore, there is no need to stop using the affected engines or vehicles.”

Toyota says it will provide explanations to authorities and “promptly proceed with appropriate measures”, such as testing the engines with the presence of a witness if required.

It’s unclear how the suspension of vehicle shipments will impact locally offered model availability at this time.