Ford Accused Of Emissions Cheating Over Diesel Super Duty Trucks

Ford is coming under fire for alleged emissions test cheating, with the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks the targets of a lawsuit from a group of owners.

Bosch is being sued at the same time. The legal action claims that the German company developed software that enabled Ford to cheat the emissions tests by automatically changing fuelling, exhaust gas recirculation and urea injection rates when it was being tested.

The Super Duty trucks – dubbed ‘Super Dirty’ by the lawyer behind the class-action suit – use a ‘reverse’ exhaust layout that puts the catalytic reduction before the particulate filter (DPF). The complaint alleges that instead of burning away the particulates, the design simply lets them escape via the tailpipe to harm the local air quality.

Bosch is also defending itself in suits against Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors. It totally denies any wrongdoing or collusion in any alleged emissions test manipulation.

The Super Duty trucks concerned, sold between 2011 and 2017, cost $8400 more than a petrol version, according to a Bloomberg report. Owners are seeking damages for what they say are 58 ‘violations of state consumer law, false advertising and racketeering.’

Ford responded with this:

“All Ford vehicles, including those with diesel engines, comply with all US EPA and CARB emissions regulations.

“Ford vehicles do not have defeat devices. We will defend ourselves against these baseless claims.”

Bosch was equally defensive. A spokesman said:

“Bosch takes the allegations of manipulation of the diesel software very seriously. Bosch is cooperating with the continuing investigations in various jurisdictions, and is defending its interests in the litigation.

“As a matter of policy, and due to the sensitive legal nature of these matters, Bosch will not comment further concerning matters under investigation and in litigation.”

Source: Bloomberg