Volvo reveals premature degradation of NOx emission control components

17 October 2018

The Volvo Group revealed that an emission control component used in certain markets is degrading more quickly than expected, which could cause the engines to exceed NOx emissions limits. All products equipped with the component meet emissions limits at delivery, said the company. The degradation is due to a “materials issue that occurs over time”.

A full analysis of the issue has not been completed and it is not yet possible to estimate the volume of affected engines or to assess the financial impact. However, the cost “could be material”, said Volvo. The largest volume of potentially affected engines has been sold in North America and Europe.

Volvo is now in the process of informing the appropriate authorities in various markets, and beginning discussions regarding remediation plans. The degradation of the component does not pose a product safety issue, nor does it negatively affect vehicle or engine performance in areas other than emission control.

Volvo did not provide details, but the wording suggests that the issue is related to urea-SCR systems used in US EPA 2010 and later, and in Euro VI truck engines. The SCR system and its components, including SCR catalysts, are sourced from external suppliers.

In July 2018, Cummins agreed to a voluntary recall of over 500,000 diesel trucks, after the California Air Resources Board found that the SCR catalyst in the affected engines had insufficient durability, leading over time to excessive NOx emissions.

Source: Volvo