Toyota has said it will cooperate fully with a police investigation that has resulted in a criminal case against three current and former officials.
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The men are suspected of delaying filing a recall report despite knowing of a vehicle defect for about eight years.
Toyota filed a recall report for its 330,496 units of the Hilux 4WD, Hilux Surf Wagon and Hilux Surf cars built between 1988 and 1996, because of a fault in the steering system.
However, according to Reuters, a Toyota spokesman confirmed that the company had known of the fault since 1996. But the company did not order a recall because the potential frequency of the problem occurring and the unique conditions under which it would occur did not warrant it.
However, Toyota revisited its decision in mid-2004 after receiving reports of the defect from drivers. According to Reuters, a month later an accident occurred when a Hilux crashed into another car injuring five people.
