Ford Diesel Owners Sue Over Clean Air Act Violations

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham

Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com

1-11-2018

 

Ford is the latest automaker to be sued over emissions from diesel vehicles. This time, it is owners who are alleging that Super Duty pickups are not in compliance with emissions control laws under light loads and while climbing grades. The 50-state class-action status suit filed in Michigan alleges that Ford’s diesel pickup trucks emit up to 50 times the allowable levels of oxides of nitrogen.

 

Bosch is also named as a co-defendant. Bosch and Ford worked together on the Super Duty’s diesel emissions control system. Bosch has lawyered up, and company spokeswoman Alissa Cleland released a statement saying, “Bosch takes the allegations of manipulation of the diesel software very seriously. It is a well-known fact that these allegations remain the subject of investigations and civil litigation involving Bosch. Bosch is cooperating with the continuing investigations in various jurisdictions, and is defending its interests in the litigation.”

 

Ford denies the claims. "All Ford vehicles, including those with diesel engines, comply with all U.S. EPA and (California Air Resources Board) emissions regulations. Ford vehicles do not have defeat devices. We will defend ourselves against these baseless claims," according to a statement sent by Ford spokesman Mike Levine.

 

Since researchers at West Virginia University developed the methods by which a diesel vehicle’s pollution output can be monitored while under normal operating conditions, it has become much easier for testing agencies (or lawyers working for a class of owners) to empirically measure how much emissions are produced during actual driving, as opposed to on the EPA test cycle. Whether or not the Ford Super Duty stays in compliance during operation will be relatively clear cut. It is very doubtful that lawyers representing this group don’t already have that test data.

 

Assuming the data does show that the truck is not in compliance in real-world scenarios, Ford will have the choice of playing dumb, and taking FCA’s approach and offer “repairs.” Or Ford can defend itself and say that the emissions were not faked. . Except that Bosch is also involved. And Bosch has already settled a previous diesel emission faking case.

[GMdenali831]

wow,

 

are we going to add another manufacture to the list.?

[Nargg]

I seriously doubt this was the "owners" that sued.  More likely just hungry lawyers.  Who probably have never driven a Ford diesel truck, ever.  Such a litigious world we live in...