The Japanese government is investigating the data from crash tests automakers conducted themselves. The results are disturbing: Five automakers–including Toyota, Honda, and Mazda–have either manipulated crash data, or falsified it altogether. As a result Toyota has paused sales of two Corolla models and one Yaris model in the Japanese market.

When I first saw this story, I hoped that there had been a simple misunderstanding. Maybe crash test standards had changed and Toyota had misunderstood the new methods. And the Toyota board chairman, Akio Toyoda, claims the automaker’s testing methods were simply different from government standards. But the truth appears far more serious.

One example is that even though Toyota was required to collect data from both the left and right side of a crash dummy, it just submitted unilateral data twice. Another example is that Toyota was required to test whether luggage in the trunk could injure passengers. When this became a requirement, Toyota skipped the test and submitted data from a past year. The automaker also cut corners by tweaking the engine output of a Lexus RX mid-test, instead of not stopping the test and redoing the whole thing after modifying the car, as required.

On the other hand, Toyota created some tests that were more severe than what the Japanese government required: Instead of hitting cars with a 2,425 pound moving barrier, it dialed things up with a 4,000-pound barrier. Instead of simulating impact with a pedestrian’s head at a 50 degree angle, it created a more difficult test by testing an impact at 65 degrees. Finally, it used an airbag ignition timer to simulate a more severe crash than required.

Overall, it looks like Toyota was trying to save some money and effort by cutting corners on tests it decided weren’t important. At the same time, it took other tests seriously and went above-and-beyond. Of course there is a reason tests are standardized, so buyers can compare and cross-shop vehicles. Overall, Toyota ignored government guidelines and struck off on its own. And that’s not allowed.

Though Toyota admitted to mishandling tests for at least six vehicles, there are three models that it is pausing sales for in the Japanese market. There’s no word yet whether there were any problems with the automaker’s U.S. crash tests.

Next, learn how Toyota was raided by the government before admitting to cheating on emissions tests, or learn about the history of this Toyota scandal in the video below: