In the aftermath of the 2015 Dieselgate scandal, government agencies worldwide are continuing to closely examine automakers. Recently, leaked documents from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority revealed that Mercedes-Benz was under investigation for allegedly employing defeat devices to bypass the latest Euro 6 emissions standards.
The leaked letter dated July 7, 2023, disclosed the presence of three software-based defeat devices in the OM642 diesel engine used in the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec. Two of the devices altered engine operation based on specific temperature parameters. The agency warned Mercedes-Benz in the letter that it must rectify the issues or face operating restrictions and recalls.
The German environmental consumer protection group, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), published the leaked letter, which was provided by an anonymous whistleblower.
Mercedes-Benz, which is cooperating with the agency, informed Reuters that it believes it has already developed and implemented the necessary software updates to address the concerns. The increased scrutiny follows a ruling in July 2022 by the European Court of Justice, declaring software-based defeat devices as illegal. The agency originally set a compliance deadline of July 27, but Reuters reports that an extension was granted.
This is not the first time that Deutsche Umwelthilfe has scrutinized Mercedes-Benz. In November 2021, the organization released a public report accusing the company of employing eight defeat devices in its E-Class vehicles equipped with the Euro 6-compliant diesel engine, known as the OM642 power plant. DUH deemed the devices illegal, as they reduce the amount of AdBlue injected, which is necessary to neutralize harmful nitrogen oxides.
Mercedes-Benz is not the only automaker still facing consequences from the Dieselgate scandal, even eight years after it first unfolded. Earlier this year, former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was fined 1.1 million euros ($1.17 million) for his involvement in the scandal. Stadler admitted his guilt in order to avoid a prison sentence. In addition, auto components supplier Bosch paid $25 million in fines last year.
In 2020, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, Daimler, had to pay $2.8 billion to settle claims against the company in the United States. The claims came from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, the US Department of Justice, and a class-action lawsuit. More than half of the settlement amount went to various government agencies, while $700 million was allocated to resolving the lawsuit.