Subaru confesses to emissions tampering

Subaru has joined a growing list of automotive marques to admit to tinkering with fuel economy and emissions data.

An investigation of the manufacturer’s Gunma and Yajima production facilities last year has revealed that alteration of fuel economy and emissions data took place between December 2012 and November 2017.

Subaru says a total 900 vehicles were affected by the data tampering in the vehicles’ final inspections by factory floor inspectors – well less than emissions sagas embroiling rivalling marques including Mitsubishi and most notably, the Volkswagen Group.

The “non-conforming” final vehicle inspections were identified in late 2017, according to an internal report, prompting a full-scale investigation. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ordered Subaru undertake the enquiry, which found that 903 vehicles of 6503 vehicles tested had their data “inappropriately altered”, thereby lowering the average data values to meet quality control standards.

According to Subaru, the decision to tamper with emissions was made among vehicle inspectors and foremen on the factory floor.

"Inspectors engaging in sampling of fuel economy and emissions were instructed by their seniors that, if results for each vehicle did not meet such standards, measurement values should be altered to those that meet such standards, and, according to such instructions, the inspectors altered measurement values,” a statement from the company read.

“Even if there were no problems in comparison with the internal quality control standards, inspectors altered measurement values with the intention of reducing variance in measurement values in order to avoid questions from the Group Chiefs and the Section Chief on such variance. It should be noted that alterations were made not only to make results better, but also to make them worse." It appears that everything was done to keep the average values right.

Subaru adds: "Although the relevant laws and regulations stipulate that, in certain limited cases, measurement values could be altered in order to adjust errors caused by measurement equipment, inspectors misunderstand such adjustment method because of deficient internal rules and inadequate training. Inspectors altered measurement values by adjustment methods not stipulated in the relevant laws and regulations, without understanding that their methods were inappropriate."

Subaru hasn’t disclosed test data from earlier than 2012, but has acknowledged that internal tampering could span as far back as 2002.

“Based on the employees’ statements, there is a high probability that such manipulation of fuel economy and emissions data commenced around 2002, however, this could not be confirmed."

Despite the blunder, the affected vehicles will not be recalled, Subaru adamant that its own quality control standards are stricter than what is stipulated by law.

Subaru says it has implemented measures that will prevent the tampering from occurring again.