Tennessee parts distributor fined $525K for selling ‘defeat devices’

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cracked down on a Tennessee parts distributor for allegedly selling aftermarket emissions ‘defeat devices.’

On June 4, 2024, the EPA announced that Murfreesboro business Full Force Diesel Performance, Inc. (FFDP) was fined $525,438. The EPA accused FFDP of selling illegal ‘defeat devices’ designed to render automobile emission controls inoperative, in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.

Officials say that over a two year period, FFDP sold at least 1,719 aftermarket defeat devices, including 406 exhaust emission control delete hardware kits, 337 exhaust gas recirculation delete kits, 21 throttle valve delete hardware kits, and 955 tuning products.

FFDP has also agreed to stop selling defeat devices and to remove from their website and social media pages all advertisements, photos, videos, and information that relates to performing tampering and/or selling, offering to sell, and/or installing defeat devices.

“Cracking down on sellers of illegal defeat devices is a top enforcement priority for EPA,” said acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “These illegal practices contribute to harmful air pollution and impede federal, state, and local efforts to implement air quality standards that protect public health. Emissions from mobile sources play a particularly important role in EPA’s Southeastern region, and the use of these defeat devices hampers our ability to maintain compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.”