Volvo D13 SCR DEF Engine Derate – who is responsible?

I bought a used 2010 Volvo D13 and the SCR system on this truck is crap. Since May this year, it has been at the shop for 6-7 times, derated thrice and the MIL keeps illuminating almost each week.

I tried searching Volvo website for answers but couldn’t find anything that educates a driver on what to expect and how far he can drive before it kills you to 5MPG. However, these two links were helpful to understand the sequence:

1. http://www.slideshare.net/timmatthews/epa2010-driver-inducement-3319632
2. http://www.atcfreightliner.com/pdf/wd/archive/tt_06_11.pdf

Engine derate provision was forced by EPA to make the driver compliant. There were two reasons why engine derate was introduced:
1) Drivers should not run the vehicle on empty DEF tank.
2) Driver should not use poor quality DEF (water for example) based on some observations from Europe.

The engine derate is a sort of punishment to the driver for his actions of tampering SCR system. But it does nothing to punish the manufacturer if the system components or the software running the SCR system derates the engine for reasons other than driver’s fault.

However, most of the time engine derate is a result of component and/or software malfunction. It is rarely a driver's fault.

So the driver is punished not for his actions but because the component or the software is faulty. Ultimately, families of truck drivers are paying the price and truck dealers are getting rich. If anything happens to the system, engine derates, you don’t get appointment for days and get stranded in a strange city with hefty hotel bills and repair biils not to mention lost revenue.

Am I right to note that fire and emergency vehicles have been exempted recently or they face less severe inducement. Well, thanks to EPA for recognizing emergency services. A patient died when ambulance could not reach hospital in time due to "Regen". It also shows that EPA recognizes that SCR system malfunction is not always due to drivers’ intention or ignorance.

I think it is the time we should collectively approach EPA and lawmakers to stop sending poor drivers to bankruptcy courts and held manufacturers accountable for the malfunctioning of component and software. Drivers and vehicle owners must be compensated for repairs, other expenses and lost revenue.

Please suggest how can we collectively approach EPA or possibly start a class action because enough is enough.

 

Thanks russtrucker. I know someone who is under 13K in repairs just in last month.

There are many horror stories all over the internet and truck manufacturers simply dont want to stand behind their product.

Drivers getting broke and dealers are making millions. The link below is interesting as it tells how even the certified repair shop fails to find the underlying issue:

http://solutions.letstruck.com/Answers/View/7550/Heads+up+information+related+to+SCR-DEF+on+ISX15

 

I found this information at Cummins website

Emissions Derate Exemptions.


Cummins EPA 2013 diesel engines for fire and emergency vehicles should not
experience any emissions-related vehicle speed or engine torque derates. Some
EPA 2013 ISX12 and ISX15 engines for fire and emergency vehicles built in early
2013 may require an electronic calibration update to eliminate emissions-related
derates.
Visit cumminsengines.com/fire-and-emergency for more details and information

 

willisl64, can you tell me about this insurance company? Tow services are good for first 40-50 miles only and Volvo dealers network is also not that great. I understand component failure but someone has to take the responsibility. One of my friends recently got the entire SCR system replaced and the truck derated on him just on the first run after adding all these new parts. He is fighting with the dealer to cover next repair under warranty.

My point is - engine derate was introduced by EPA to punish drivers for emission tampering but in almost all cases engine derate happens due to component or software failure. I

 

Similar problems in ISX

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...7134-how-hit-cummins-class-action-suit-3.html

 

Not only NOX sensor, I have had it all - DEF heater, sensor, DEF pump, Injector and if you believe me even DEF tank - gone one after the another in succession. That has increased labor cost. It could have been cheaper to replace everything in one go. Looks like Volvo is putting cheap stuff in these trucks.