Honda Learns From Toyota Engine Issues, Focuses on Quality

Honda Learns From Toyota Engine Issues, Focuses on Quality

Honda Motor Co. is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer that has implemented a stricter independent quality control system to prevent large-scale defects in engines, components, and software. The system is designed to address the growing complexity of modern vehicles while maintaining customer trust, particularly relevant for Malaysian drivers who rely on Honda's popular models like the City, HR-V, and CR-V. Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is the official local distributor, offering vehicle warranties and after-sales services across the country.

Key Facts

Why Is Honda Tightening Quality Control Now?

Honda is tightening quality control because modern vehicles now integrate complex software, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and next-generation technology that increase the risk of failures. The company acknowledges that rapid technological shifts, particularly in software, require faster development cycles, but it refuses to sacrifice reliability to match competitor speed.

According to Eiji Fujimura, President and CEO of American Honda, China currently leads the industry in several technology areas. Honda has placed teams in China to study the latest technology and manufacturing methods. However, Fujimura stated that the brand has a high level of customer loyalty that cannot be sacrificed merely to match the development speed of competitors.

"Honda has a high level of customer loyalty and that advantage cannot be sacrificed simply to match the development speed of competitors."

— Eiji Fujimura, President and CEO of American Honda, as reported by Careta

Honda's quality control strategy prioritises long-term customer trust over rapid product development, a position directly relevant to Malaysian buyers who depend on vehicle reliability in tropical driving conditions.

How Does Honda's Quality Control Department Operate?

Honda's quality control department operates independently from the development team and other departments, allowing quality officers to challenge engineers' decisions and identify potential failures. Each new system or model must pass quality inspections at every development stage before the project can proceed to the next phase.

Noriya Kaihara, Executive Vice President of Honda Motor, explained that every new system or model carries inherent risks when first used in real-world conditions. The quality control team evaluates the entire development process, assessing the impact of component use in hot or cold environments. Evaluations are conducted from the customer's perspective, considering actual usage patterns and environmental conditions.

Honda's independent quality control department has the authority to question engineering decisions and halt project progression if quality standards are not met at any stage.

What Did Honda Learn From Toyota's Engine Problems?

Honda learned from Toyota's V6 twin-turbo engine issues that preventing defects is the priority, but the speed of response after a problem occurs is equally critical. Toyota faced significant reputation damage regarding reliability due to engine problems in several truck models, and Honda is applying this lesson to its own quality assurance processes.

Kaihara acknowledged that no manufacturer is free from mistakes. Honda itself has conducted several recall campaigns in recent years, covering mechanical issues and rear-view camera wiring. When asked whether Honda is taking lessons from Toyota's problems, Kaihara said that preventing defects is a priority, but the speed at which a manufacturer acts after a problem occurs is also very important.

"Preventing defects is a priority, but the speed at which a manufacturer acts after a problem occurs is also very important."

— Noriya Kaihara, Executive Vice President of Honda Motor, as reported by Careta

Honda's response to Toyota's engine failures focuses on rapid problem identification, market information gathering, and swift corrective action to preserve customer trust.

How Does Honda Handle Customer Complaints and Recalls?

Honda handles customer complaints by treating every problem as important and implementing corrective actions faster than before. According to Kaihara, customers who receive problematic vehicles become even more frustrated if the solution takes too long, so Honda must quickly understand the root cause and gather information from the market.

The information gathered is used to implement solutions for affected vehicles and prevent the same problem from recurring in other products. Kaihara emphasised that quality control is not solely dependent on procedures or an independent department; every staff member involved in product development must prioritise quality and customer interests.

Honda's corrective action process requires immediate problem assessment, market data collection, and rapid implementation of fixes to prevent customer dissatisfaction.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This quality control strategy is relevant for Malaysian Honda owners and prospective buyers who use their vehicles in tropical climates, urban traffic conditions, and on varied road infrastructure. Malaysian drivers typically face heat, humidity, and frequent stop-and-go driving, which place specific demands on engine cooling, software reliability, and component durability.

For Malaysian users living in compact urban areas like Kuala Lumpur condominiums, vehicle reliability is critical because service centres may not be immediately accessible. Honda's emphasis on independent quality checks and rapid corrective action directly addresses these concerns. The company's commitment to evaluating components in hot environments aligns with Malaysian tropical conditions, where engine heat management is a common issue.

Malaysian Honda owners benefit from a quality control system that explicitly evaluates component performance in hot environments, matching the country's tropical climate conditions.

Common Questions

What specific problems did Toyota face with its V6 twin-turbo engines?

Toyota faced engine problems with its V6 twin-turbo engines in several truck models, which damaged the brand's reputation for reliability. The source does not specify the exact mechanical failures, but the incident served as a reference point for Honda's quality control discussions.

Has Honda conducted any recall campaigns recently?

Yes, Honda has conducted several recall campaigns in recent years, covering mechanical issues and rear-view camera wiring problems. The company acknowledges that no manufacturer is free from mistakes and uses these incidents to improve its quality control processes.

How does Honda balance fast development with quality control?

Honda balances speed and quality by maintaining an independent quality control department that evaluates every development stage. The company refuses to sacrifice customer trust for faster development, even though it must compete with Chinese and Indian brands in software and ADAS technology.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: "Honda Belajar Daripada Masalah Enjin Toyota, Utamakan Kawalan Kualiti" published by Careta on 10 September 2026, written by Qalif Latif. The original Malay-language article was translated into English for this publication. The source reports statements from Noriya Kaihara and Eiji Fujimura as relayed by The Drive.

No currency conversions were required as the source contained no pricing information. No Malaysian-specific data, such as local pricing, Sirim certification, or Honda Malaysia official statements, was included in the source material. All quotes are attributed to the executives as reported by Careta.

This article was last updated on 10 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was not independently verified against local sources and relies solely on the original Careta report.