Jan. 10, 2017—A class action lawsuit filed today by law firm Hagens Berman accuses Ford and Bosch of knowingly installing emissions-cheating software devices in 2011-2017 Ford 250 and 350 Super Duty diesel pickup trucks akin to the devices at the center of Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal, allowing the affected pickups to pollute at levels up to 50 times legal limits.
The suit adds that the diesel Super Duty trucks that pollute at illegal levels cost $8,400 more than their gasoline counterparts. Even in average stop-and-go conditions, emissions are routinely as high as five times the standard, the suit says.
The class action hits Ford and Bosch with a total 58 counts of violations of state consumer laws, false advertising laws, deceptive trade laws as well as violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), adding that “Ford did not act alone,” but colluded with Bosch in an organized scheme to evade emissions requirements, for sake of profit.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 10, 2018, in the U.S. District for the Eastern District of Michigan, states that the trucks’ touted performance, power and towing capabilities are only obtained by switching off or turning down emissions controls when the software senses the vehicle is not in an emissions-testing environment.
Update:
Bosch representatives sent the following statement to Ratchet+Wrench:
"Bosch takes the allegations of manipulation of the diesel software very seriously. Bosch is cooperating with 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."
Ford representatives sent Ratchet+Wrench the following statement:
"All Ford vehicles, including those with diesel engines, comply with all U.S. EPA and CARB emissions regulations. Ford vehicles do not have defeat devices. We will defend ourselves against these baseless claims."
