Tokyo: Daihatsu Motor Co. notified Japan’s transport ministry Wednesday that it will recall a total of about 322,700 vehicles of two models because they may not meet safety standards.

This is the first recall over the automaker’s fraudulent safety test scandal. The company has been urged by the ministry to recall vehicles immediately if necessary.

Subject to the recall are the Cast minivehicle and its sister model sold as the Pixis Joy by Daihatsu’s parent company, Toyota Motor Corp.

Door lock tests on the two models were inadequate, leaving the possibility that the doors may not unlock in the event of a side collision, making it difficult to rescue passengers, according to the ministry.

The recall covers the entire production period of the two models, from August 2015 to June 2023. No problems or accidents related to the problem have been confirmed so far.

Daihatsu was found to have fraudulently carried out safety tests for 46 domestic models, including one under development and others whose production has already ended.

The ministry is currently conducting safety and other checks on 45 models, excluding the one under development.

The ministry has lifted its shipment suspension order for five models after their safety was confirmed.

JIJI Press