Japan Warning Its Car Makers After Rash of Defects, Recalls

Transport Ministry officials will ask Japanese car makers to pay more attention to design and quality control because of defects found in new and remodeled cars recently, a ministry official said today.

The officials will issue the request at a regularly scheduled meeting with the heads of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn. on Thursday.

Since April 1, 11 Japanese models and 14 foreign models have been recalled because of defects. This compares with 15 Japanese models and 24 foreign models in the year to March 31, 1989, the Transport Ministry official said.

Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. has recalled its new Applause model four-door sedans twice this year due to defects, first in October and then in November.

On Sept. 12, the ministry gave Toyota Motor Corp. a written warning, the first strong warning the ministry has issued to a Japanese car maker in 11 years, over the car maker’s delay in informing it of a defect affecting almost 200,000 cars, the official said.

On Monday, Toyota recalled all 8,000 of its new Lexus LS 400 luxury cars to make three repairs. (Story, D2)