Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026:
- An engine OEM has confirmed it will launch its next-gen emission-spec engines as planned.
- Recalls from three truck makers include approximately 2,400 trucks.
EPA 2027 engines: Owner-operators worry over recent regs proposals
Daimler Truck North America-owned engine manufacturer Detroit recently confirmed it will fully transition its North American heavy-duty diesel lineup to EPA 2027-compliant engines at the start of 2027.
As reported by Overdrive sister publication CCJ’s Jason Cannon, proposed updates by the Environmental Protection Agency to its 2027 emissions regulations would allow engine manufacturers to pay non-conformance penalties as a short-term alternative if they cannot immediately meet the hardware standards, and grant manufacturers more time to validate the reliability of new emissions-control systems under real-world operating conditions.
A number of OEMs have announced plans to take advantage of the reprieve, among them Paccar and Cummins, Cannon noted, the latter of which will introduce its new HELM platform engines -- the X10 and X15 -- through a gradual production ramp-up starting in January 2027. Select current-generation engines will stay available during the transition.
Among other changes that remain at proposal stage from EPA are an end to DEF-fault-related engine derates, likewise rollback of extended warranty requirements for emissions systems in the 2027 diesel regs. In response to recent polling, Overdrive's owner-operator readers showed little favor for the warranty-period-rollback part of the proposal.
What favor they did show was expressed in the form of the 42% who felt EPA didn't go far enough and should cut the 2027 diesel regulation entirely.
"A good warranty says a company believes in the product," noted one polling respondent, elaborating the view expressed by 42% of owners that EPA should keep the warranty extensions. "A longer warranty says the company really means it."
Speaking during Daimler’s Q2 2026 earnings presentation, Chief Executive Officer Karin Rådström and Chief Financial Officer Eva Scherer confirmed that the manufacturer will phase out its current 2026 engine platform in favor of a newly engineered powertrain built to meet the more strict standard.
Detroit is utilizing a pre-selective catalytic reduction (pre-SCR) system. Positioned upstream of the primary aftertreatment system (ATS), this helps the engine reach operating temperatures faster. Since the pre-SCR system introduces DEF ahead of primary aftertreatment, it takes advantage of exhaust heat before the ATS gets to operating temperature. Hardware and functionality are nearly identical to the SCR in use since 2010.
Rather than relying on higher-cost electrical additions or paying regulatory fines for higher-emission engines, Daimler’s technical solution, Rådström said, achieves compliance while minimizing structural complexity.
[Related: 'Not gonna be a guinea pig': Owner-ops wary of maintenance unknowns with EPA 2027]
Equipment owners responding to Overdrive polling feared the worst from additional complexity: greater maintenance costs.
"A huge part of the cost of operating a modern truck is repairing the federally mandated emissions," noted one respondent. The owner urged EPA to better balance "reasonable repair time" with a "reasonable life cycle" required of the emissions system.
EPA's recent proposals would also roll back useful-life requirements for manufacturers in the 2027 regs to the 2030 model year.
Read more about Detroit’s EPA 2027 engine rollout plans in Cannon’s report here.
[Related: Volvo, Mack end 5-mph DEF derates | Cummins' MY 2027 engines getting phased rollout]
Roof marker light issue prompts Volvo, Mack recalls
Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks are recalling more than 2,300 trucks combined for an issue that could cause the roof marker lights to not illuminate.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, the recalled trucks may be equipped with roof marker lights that may not have appropriate connector housing lengths. This can result in the center marker lamp connection failing and the light not illuminating.
As a result, the trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Volvo’s recall includes 1,851 model year 2027 Volvo VNL and VNR units. Mack’s recall includes approximately 513 model year 2027 Mack Pioneer and Anthem trucks.
Dealers will replace the center roof marker light, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 5. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2608. NHTSA’s recall number for the Volvo recall is 26V-513. Owners can contact Mack's customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with recall number SC0498. NHTSA’s Mack recall number is 26V-515.
International recalls trucks for windshield wiper issue
International Motors has issued a recall for approximately 49 trucks due to an issue that could result in inoperable windshield wipers.
The recall includes certain 2027 HV, HX, LT, MV, and RH trucks in which a retaining nut in the wiper assembly may loosen, causing both windshield wipers to disconnect from the motor.
Dealers will tighten the wiper motor drive nut and three motor mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 5. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-331-332-5000 with recall number 26513. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-516.
