Ebay Could Owe $1.9 Billion in Fines for Allowing Sale of 343,000 Emissions Defeat Devices

The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued eBay for allowing the sale of 343,011 aftermarket emissions defeat devices and other products that violate the Clean Air Act. The online sales giant faces billions in fines, including up to $5,580 for each Clean Air Act violation, which could involve the sale of ECU tuners, aftermarket exhausts, or other parts that tamper with factory emissions systems.

The DOJ’s suit comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that emissions defeat devices would no longer be a top priority for the agency. Despite that, the federal government has continued pursuing cases of systematic Clean Air Act violations, like tuning shops and online resellers. In August, the DOJ hit a diesel tuner with a $1 million fine for selling and installing unapproved ECU tuners that tamper with onboard emissions systems. Last year, eBay banned the sale of aftermarket parts that tamper with emissions, but has apparently not kept up with moderation.