Nissan Motor is expected to recall 150,000 vehicles in Japan after new evidence of improper final vehicle inspections emerged last week, according to local reports.
If confirmed, the news would represent a further blow to the Japanese carmaker which is still reeling from allegations on financial mismanagement which led to the sacking and arrest of its chairman Carlos Ghosn on 19 November.
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The latest issue came to light when transport ministry officials conducted on-site inspections at Nissan’s major assembly plants in the country. Several employees are said to have admitted carrying out inadequate tests on vehicle braking systems, speedometers, and other parts before shipment to local dealers, according to local reports.
Ten models are understood to be affected, including the Note and Leaf electric vehicles and the March and Cube compact cars produced between November 2017 and October 2018.
Last year Nissan was forced to recall over 1m vehicles after admitting staff without proper qualifications had conducted final inspections on at its domestic assembly plants.
In July 2018, Nissan also admitted that data on exhaust emissions and fuel economy had been deliberately altered”, further undermining trust in the brand.
Ghosn and Nissan both charged officially in Japan
