New EPA Settlement Hit Cobb Tuning Millions Illegal Products
Cobb Tuning Hit With Massive $2.9 Million EPA Fine Over Emissions Defeat Devices
If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ve likely heard of Cobb Tuning. Their products, especially the renowned Accessport, have long been a staple for enthusiasts looking to push their cars to the limits of performance. Unfortunately, Cobb recently hit a major speed bump. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed the Texas-based company a staggering $2.9 million fine for selling “defeat devices” — hardware and software that allowed vehicle owners to bypass emissions controls.
Cobb Tuning’s Accessport has always been a favorite for those wanting to tweak their vehicle’s performance. However, the EPA discovered that over 81,000 of these devices had the capability to reprogram a vehicle’s emissions systems. This allowed vehicles to exceed federally mandated pollution standards. On top of that, around 8,400 aftermarket exhaust systems sold by Cobb either lacked the proper number of catalysts or replaced OEM catalysts with less effective alternatives. These products resulted in cars that could produce significantly higher emissions than allowed under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
For Cobb Tuning, this wasn’t just a minor infraction. The defeat devices violated the CAA, and the EPA wasted no time in pursuing legal action. The result was a 2022 lawsuit that eventually led to a settlement in 2023. Beyond the fine, Cobb now faces stringent new regulations and must implement a series of changes to ensure all future products are compliant with emissions standards. This ruling serves as a harsh wake-up call for the entire tuning industry and a sobering reminder that even the most beloved aftermarket companies need to tread carefully in today’s regulatory environment.
The EPA’s Case Against Cobb Tuning: Breaking Down the Defeat Devices
At the heart of the EPA’s case was Cobb’s best-known product: the Accessport. This small, handheld tuner is a marvel of technology for car enthusiasts, enabling users to reprogram their car’s engine control unit (ECU) with the push of a button. The Accessport can do everything from optimizing horsepower and torque to enhancing fuel efficiency. But, as the EPA found, it could also be used to modify a car’s emissions controls.
The EPA accused Cobb of selling over 81,000 Accessports capable of disabling emissions systems, allowing vehicles to exceed the pollution limits set by the Clean Air Act. The Accessport’s software let users manipulate the engine’s fuel and air mixture, boost levels, and exhaust flow — all while potentially sidestepping emissions control systems like catalytic converters and oxygen sensors. By allowing these changes, Cobb’s tuners enabled enthusiasts to unlock more power at the expense of environmental regulations.
Alongside the Accessports, Cobb also sold around 8,400 aftermarket exhaust systems that didn’t meet federal standards. These exhaust systems either contained fewer catalysts or replaced the OEM ones with inferior versions, making the cars more polluting than they were legally allowed to be. This combination of tuners and exhaust systems created vehicles that not only performed better but also emitted more pollutants than was permissible under federal law.
The $2.9 Million Settlement and New Rules for Cobb Tuning
The EPA took Cobb Tuning to task for violating the Clean Air Act, resulting in the $2.9 million settlement. But the fine is only part of the consequences Cobb faces. In addition to paying millions, Cobb must comply with several strict rules moving forward to ensure it stays on the right side of emissions regulations.
The settlement demands that Cobb immediately cease manufacturing, selling, or installing any defeat devices. They are also required to remove deleted features from any custom tuning software and, where possible, force updates to existing users to ensure the offending features are removed. This means the days of enthusiasts using Cobb products to bypass emissions controls are officially over.
Cobb is also obligated to destroy any defeat devices still in their possession. They will no longer offer technical support for any of their non-compliant products and must instruct their authorized dealers to follow suit. Cobb is even required to inform all customers and dealers that their defeat devices violate the Clean Air Act, using specified language to outline the issues and the settlement’s terms.
How Cobb Tuning Plans to Move Forward
Cobb Tuning has taken a significant financial hit and now faces a wave of regulatory changes. But, according to Jeff King, the company’s CEO, they’re ready to move forward. In a statement, King said Cobb Tuning takes its “emissions stewardship seriously” and made difficult decisions to address the EPA’s concerns.
King also noted that Cobb has proactively addressed the problem areas, focusing on how to discontinue certain products while ensuring their customers’ needs are still met. He emphasized that Cobb’s current product lineup is fully compliant with federal emissions regulations, which means enthusiasts can still rely on Cobb for performance upgrades without running afoul of the law.
The settlement will undoubtedly force Cobb to rethink how they approach new product development. In the high-performance automotive world, there’s always a demand for more power, speed, and efficiency, but companies now must factor in environmental impact and regulatory compliance. For Cobb, this is an opportunity to redefine their brand and product offerings while remaining a trusted name in the tuning community.
What Does This Mean for the Tuning Industry?
The fallout from the Cobb Tuning case extends far beyond just one company. It serves as a stark warning to the entire aftermarket performance industry. Tuning companies are now under more scrutiny than ever before, and the EPA’s aggressive pursuit of emissions violations signals a new era of enforcement.
For enthusiasts, this means the days of simple plug-and-play tuners that offer performance gains while bypassing emissions controls may be coming to an end. Companies will have to adapt to stricter regulations, ensuring that all products comply with federal standards without sacrificing performance. It’s a tough balancing act, but one that will define the future of the aftermarket industry.
In the wake of the settlement, tuning companies must reevaluate their product lines and development processes. The use of defeat devices is no longer an option, and customers will expect products that not only enhance vehicle performance but also keep them compliant with emissions laws. While this may limit some of the more extreme modifications, it will also pave the way for new innovations in performance tuning that prioritize both power and environmental responsibility.
The Clean Air Act and Its Impact on Car Enthusiasts
The Clean Air Act was originally passed in 1963 and has undergone numerous amendments, with the most notable being in 1990. Its goal is to control air pollution and ensure cleaner air for everyone. While it primarily targets large-scale industrial polluters, it also applies to the automotive industry, including vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket companies.
For car enthusiasts, the Clean Air Act’s enforcement has always been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it aims to reduce harmful emissions, but on the other, it limits the scope of modifications that can be made to vehicles without violating the law. As emissions regulations have tightened over the years, tuners have had to become more creative in finding ways to extract performance gains without breaching legal boundaries.
Conclusion: Cobb Tuning’s Fine and the Road Ahead
The $2.9 million fine imposed on Cobb Tuning by the EPA over its sale of emissions defeat devices is a wake-up call for both the company and the entire tuning industry. While Cobb has taken a major hit, they are committed to moving forward with a fully compliant product lineup, ensuring their customers can still enjoy performance upgrades without violating emissions laws.
For the tuning community, this settlement is a clear message that emissions compliance can no longer be overlooked. Moving forward, enthusiasts and companies alike will need to adapt to a world where performance and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
