Here is the communication received from the EPA.
Dear Rodney,
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Thank you for your email to Mr. Regan regarding the failed Diesel Emission Fluid sensor. The EPA is working to address this problem and has issued the following message through our compliance office.*
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Statement Regarding Failed Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) Sensors
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EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have been working with the manufacturers of diesel vehicles and engines to address this issue related to the ongoing shortage of computer chips and the impact that has had on the availability of certain replacement parts.** One part in particular, a sensor that monitors the quality of diesel emissions fluid (DEF), has been of concern because the failure of the part can lead to the vehicle being unable to operate.* The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) on behalf of its member companies has proposed an industry wide approach that would provide a software solution for vehicles with failed parts to enable them to operate temporarily while the industry works to produce more replacement parts and that, long term, would provide replacement parts through a recall program.** EPA and CARB have reviewed the proposed approach and believe it is appropriate for the companies to implement the proposed solution going forward as quickly as possible.
The manufacturers must still develop new software code and test it to ensure the software can be installed on vehicles in the field.* The companies expected that they would begin fixing some vehicles with failed sensors as soon as this week.* The companies will also make available a similar software update for vehicles whose sensors have not failed but are among a group of vehicles where such a failure could be expected to occur to prevent a sensor failure from disabling the vehicle.* This updated software is likewise expected to be available to service centers in the coming weeks.
For more information, please contact your dealer or service center. Thank you for sharing your experience and concerns.
Sincerely,
Communications Team
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
From: captrbauer <captrbauer@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2021 8:52 AM
To: Regan, Michael <Regan.Michael@epa.gov>
Subject: EPA required Sensor failures distressing Disabled Veteran
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Good morning,
I am writing to address a topic you are hopefully very aware of at this juncture. Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensor failures are preventing innumerable people from leading normal lives (our normal).
On the surface, this may appear to be a first world problem likely affecting a few individuals. It is not. The failure of these DEF sensors has caused many to become stranded at roadside needlessly. Motorhomes are very large vehicles which at roadside, are hazards to owners, law enforcement, and the traveling public.
For a large segment of owners, this is their house, their only house, and their mode of transportation. For others who have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, this sensor failure debacle has paralyzed many for fear of being stranded with no recourse of repair.
These sensors are failing causing the engine to believe something is wrong with the emissions systems and nothing is wrong.
I urge you to work with industry (Cummins) to allow them to write code and override these sensors until the problem can be corrected.
Many of us are aged retirees, veterans, full-timers, part-timers who are a significant portion of the population. We are being adversely affected needlessly from enjoying daily living.
Imagine a family of four traveling across a desolate area on their family vacation only to find themselves in an untenable situation of being stranded with no towing or repair services for hundreds of miles. A simple tow might cost upwards of two thousand dollars and the possibilty of repair remote with the sensor shortage.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Rodney Bauer
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Jennifer Klump (she/her/hers)
Public Inquiries Librarian, ASRC Federal (ASMS) Contractor
Klump.Jennifer.L@epa.gov | 734-214-4097
11:00am – 3:00pm, (Mon.-Fri., excluding federal holidays)
US EPA NVFEL
asrcfederal.com | Purpose Driven. Enduring Commitment
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