A class-action lawsuit filed July 10 by three trucking companies against Navistar-International echoes claims of similar lawsuits filed this week: The truck and engine maker knew its EGR-only MaxxForce engines had defects and Navistar concealed those problems from buyers.
The suit, brought by carriers Denis Gray Trucking, Carmichael Leasing and GTL Enterprises, also claim Navistar failed to properly repair the engines during the warranty period, thereby decreasing their trucks’ value and shortening the expected life of the engine. Those who bought International trucks with MaxxForce engines “did not get what they paid for,” the lawsuit alleges.
Navistar spokesperson Elissa Mauer said earlier this week the company does not comment on pending litigation.
The class members in the suit include anyone who bought an EGR-only MaxxForce-equipped International between 2008 and 2013.
The engines could not “handle the amount of heat and pressure they generate,” the carriers claim in their suit, which led to issues like broken EGR valves, exhaust leaks that harm other parts of the engine and EGR cooler failures. The latter causes the engine to shut down immediately, the suit says.
The alleged defects, which the lawsuit claims stem from the exhaust gas recirculation systems on the engines, were safety hazards for both drivers and other motorists, as “sudden breakdowns” would force the trucks’ drivers to perform “emergency maneuvers” to get the truck off of the road. And the engine issues caused coolant and exhaust fumes to enter the cab, causing potential for driver poisoning, the lawsuit claims.
As with lawsuits filed earlier this week over the company’s 2011 and 2012 engines, the class-action suit claims Navistar knew the EGR systems on the MaxxForce engines had problems yet hid those issues from truck buyers.
