Cobb Tuning, a well-known tuner company, has settled with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its sale of devices designed to bypass vehicle emissions controls.
Announced on Monday, the Texas-based firm will pay a penalty of $2.914 million and adhere to strict new regulations, including offering buy-backs for non-compliant devices.
The settlement concludes a lawsuit initiated by the EPA in 2022, which accused Cobb of distributing over 81,000 Accessports — devices capable of altering a car’s emissions controls and performance metrics at the touch of a button. Additionally, the lawsuit cited the sale of approximately 8,400 aftermarket exhausts that did not meet the efficacy of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems in terms of emissions control.
Under the terms of the Cobb Tuning settlement, the company is prohibited from manufacturing, selling, or installing any such defeat devices. However, the company is permitted to continue selling Accessports, provided they are approved by an Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board, confirming the products comply with emission standards.
For vehicle owners seeking guidance on compliant upgrades or understanding vehicle modifications, Collision Connect offers a reliable resource for connecting with trusted automotive experts and services. If you are in California, ensure that your vehicle modifications meet all regulatory standards by working with any of the certified collision repair centers in our network. Find an auto body shop near you to get started.
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