Engine maker Cummins to repair 600,000 Ram trucks in $2 billion emissions cheating scandal
Engine maker Cummins to repair 600,000 Ram trucks in $2 billion emissions cheating scandal

Engine maker Cummins to repair 600,000 Ram trucks in $2 billion emissions cheating scandal

Engine maker Cummins Inc. will recall 600,000 Ram trucks as part of a settlement with federal and California authorities that also requires the company to remedy environmental damage caused by illegal software that let it skirt diesel emissions tests.
New details of the settlement, reached in December, were released Wednesday. Cummins had already agreed to a $1.675 billion civil penalty to settle claims – the largest ever secured under the Clean Air Act – plus $325 million for pollution remedies.
That brings Cummins’ total penalty to more than $2 billion, which officials from the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board and the California Attorney General called “landmark” in a call with reporters Wednesday.
I wonder if the fix will nerf the engines like the VW diesels.
I don't see how it could NOT affect power output.
But the thing about recalls is they're completely voluntary. You don't have to bring your truck in to have it fixed.
And these are Ram drivers. Like a quarter of them have probably already modified their pavement princess to roll coal.
Inspection stations in California will probably check the recall status so that will at least cover that for the State concerned by it.
Sure would be nice if we had a federal vehicle emissions test or even just a safety inspection. At least for federally owned roads.
these owners aren't likely to bring their truck in to get 'fixed'.
If your bring your truck in to a dealer the dealer often will automatically apply all recalls. Cummins can also get third party mechanics involved. While the dealer or mechanic knows their customer doesn't want this recall applied, they also have various other legal issues that are even more important - dealers may risk their entire dealership if they get caught not applying this recall.
That these vehicles are recalled can also be tracked other ways. If governments really care they will not renew your license without proof that the recall was applied. (I don't think they have ever done this but is in their power)
Don’t see how it could be any other way.
If Cummins could manufacture and sell compliant engines which met performance goals and customer expectations, they would. Writing has been on the wall for tampering with diesel engine emissions in the US for a while now.
I hope it at least makes them quieter so I can sleep at night but I won't hold my breath.
Unlikely. That would require adding in significant sound deadening to almost the entire engine bay and restricting exhausts more than they already are with diesel particulate filters and cats. If you ever check out the car audio enthusiasts, you can see they easily spend a few thousand applying deadening materials to their vehicles and increasing their weight to boot.