Faulty Part Responsible for Largest Truck Recall in History

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Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers represent injured victims of truck accidents.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that Cummins, Inc. will voluntarily recall approximately 500,000 of its medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, due to a faulty emissions control system component.

Unlike the widely publicized Volkswagen recall, which occurred after software was illegally used to ensure that the cars would pass U.S. emission tests, the Cummins recall is the result of a defective part. The company is taking the necessary steps to correct the problem to ensure that the trucks are safe and meet the EPA standards.

According to the Assistant Administrator with the EPA Office of Air and Radiation, the Cummins recall is a perfect example of how government and industry can work together to make decisions that protect the environment. If the follow-up testing reveals that there is still a problem, companies like Cummins, Inc. are taking the necessary steps to correct the issue.

A spokesman from Cummins, Inc. commented that the voluntary recall was in the best interests of their customers and the environment.

The Recall Process

Cummins, Inc will conduct the recall in two phases, beginning with heavy-duty trucks during the month of August, followed by medium-duty trucks in March. The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that are being replaced were found to degrade within a few years. As a result, they did not effectively control the amount of NOx that was being released into the air.

NOx is a potent air pollutant that can cause increased levels of smog and other environmental issues. The new SCR system components will control the NOx pollution for the regulatory life of the trucks, which is 185,000 miles or ten years for medium-duty vehicles, and 435,000 miles or ten years for heavy-duty vehicles.

The emissions problem was discovered when the vehicles were tested for compliance with the EPA’s emissions standards, a process conducted through a government oversight program. After the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ran their testing program to check emissions, certain trucks that were equipped with Cummins engines tested high for NOx emissions.

When Cummins was notified by the EPA and CARB about the results, they conducted their own testing, which confirmed the deteriorating component. They proceeded to conduct the voluntary recall of their trucks. Company officials will be contacting owners, notifying them about the recall and providing instruction on how to get their trucks repaired.

Truck owners who would like additional details about the effected trucks, and the recall schedule, should contact Cummins, Inc. for additional information.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Truck Accidents

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident involving a truck that has a faulty part, or is on a recall list, contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Truck accidents can be devastating, particularly if you find out that it could have been prevented. Truck companies are responsible for addressing product recalls and for making sure they are replaced or repaired as soon as possible. We will determine who is responsible for your injuries and seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.