Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§7541 Compliance by Vehicles and Engines in Actual Use
Title 42 › CHAPTER 85 — AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER II — EMISSION STANDARDS FOR MOVING SOURCES › Part A — Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards › § 7541
Summary
Makes manufacturers guarantee new cars and engines meet federal emission rules when sold and that they don’t have defects that make the vehicle fail those rules during its “useful life.” This guarantee began for models made more than 60 days after December 31, 1970. For vehicles and light trucks made in model year 1995 and later, the basic warranty is the first 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first). Major emission parts (a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions control unit, and an onboard emissions diagnostic device, or other parts the EPA names if they were not common before 1990 and cost more than $200 in 1989 dollars) get 8 years or 80,000 miles. Owners must pay routine maintenance (like spark plugs) unless another warranty covers them. If an emission-control part that is meant to be replaced during the vehicle’s useful life costs more than 2% of the car’s suggested retail price, the manufacturer must pay for that replacement and provide it free to the buyer, later buyer, or dealer. The EPA Administrator must set testing methods and may require manufacturers to extend warranties if those tests can check real-world compliance. Manufacturers or rebuilders may certify parts won’t cause noncompliance, and the EPA had to write rules for that within two years after August 7, 1977. If many vehicles in a class fail to meet the standards while properly used, the EPA tells the maker to fix them at the maker’s expense and to notify dealers and buyers. Makers must give written maintenance instructions, put a permanent emissions conformity label on the vehicle, and pay any dealer costs caused by these rules. Post-sale inspections require the owner’s permission unless state or local law says otherwise. The law also phases in specific in-use emission standards and testing schedules for model years 1994–1999 and sets special useful-life and testing limits for diesel light-duty vehicles (for example, 10 years/100,000 miles or 7 years/75,000 miles for certain diesel testing limits).
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §7541
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Warranty; certification; payment of replacement costs of parts, devices, or components designed for emission control
(1)Effective with respect to vehicles and engines manufactured in model years beginning more than 60 days after December 31, 1970, the manufacturer of each new motor vehicle and new motor vehicle engine shall warrant to the ultimate purchaser and each subsequent purchaser that such vehicle or engine is (A) designed, built, and equipped so as to conform at the time of sale with applicable regulations under section 7521 of this title, and (B) free from defects in materials and workmanship which cause such vehicle or engine to fail to conform with applicable regulations for its useful life (as determined under section 7521(d) of this title). In the case of vehicles and engines manufactured in the model year 1995 and thereafter such warranty shall require that the vehicle or engine is free from any such defects for the warranty period provided under subsection (i).
(2)In the case of a motor vehicle part or motor vehicle engine part, the manufacturer or rebuilder of such part may certify that use of such part will not result in a failure of the vehicle or engine to comply with emission standards promulgated under section 7521 of this title. Such certification shall be made only under such regulations as may be promulgated by the Administrator to carry out the purposes of subsection (b). The Administrator shall promulgate such regulations no later than two years following August 7, 1977.
(3)The cost of any part, device, or component of any light-duty vehicle that is designed for emission control and which in the instructions issued pursuant to subsection (c)(3) of this section is scheduled for replacement during the useful life of the vehicle in order to maintain compliance with regulations under section 7521 of this title, the failure of which shall not interfere with the normal performance of the vehicle, and the expected retail price of which, including installation costs, is greater than 2 percent of the suggested retail price of such vehicle, shall be borne or reimbursed at the time of replacement by the vehicle manufacturer and such replacement shall be provided without cost to the ultimate purchaser, subsequent purchaser, or dealer. The term “designed for emission control” as used in the preceding sentence means a catalytic converter, thermal reactor, or other component installed on or in a vehicle for the sole or primary purpose of reducing vehicle emissions (not including those vehicle components which were in general use prior to model year 1968 and the primary function of which is not related to emission control).
(b)Testing methods and procedures
If the Administrator determines that (i) there are available testing methods and procedures to ascertain whether, when in actual use throughout its the warranty period (as determined under subsection (i)), each vehicle and engine to which regulations under section 7521 of this title apply complies with the emission standards of such regulations, (ii) such methods and procedures are in accordance with good engineering practices, and (iii) such methods and procedures are reasonably capable of being correlated with tests conducted under section 7525(a)(1) of this title, then—
(1)he shall establish such methods and procedures by regulation, and
(2)at such time as he determines that inspection facilities or equipment are available for purposes of carrying out testing methods and procedures established under paragraph (1), he shall prescribe regulations which shall require manufacturers to warrant the emission control device or system of each new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine to which a regulation under section 7521 of this title applies and which is manufactured in a model year beginning after the Administrator first prescribes warranty regulations under this paragraph (2). The warranty under such regulations shall run to the ultimate purchaser and each subsequent purchaser and shall provide that if—
(A)the vehicle or engine is maintained and operated in accordance with instructions under subsection (c)(3),
(B)it fails to conform at any time during its 1 the warranty period (as determined under subsection (i)) to the regulations prescribed under section 7521 of this title, and
(C)such nonconformity results in the ultimate purchaser (or any subsequent purchaser) of such vehicle or engine having to bear any penalty or other sanction (including the denial of the right to use such vehicle or engine) under State or Federal law,
then such manufacturer shall remedy such nonconformity under such warranty with the cost thereof to be borne by the manufacturer. No such warranty shall be invalid on the basis of any part used in the maintenance or repair of a vehicle or engine if such part was certified as provided under subsection (a)(2).
(c)Nonconforming vehicles; plan for remedying nonconformity; instructions for maintenance and use; label or tag
Effective with respect to vehicles and engines manufactured during model years beginning more than 60 days after December 31, 1970—
(1)If the Administrator determines that a substantial number of any class or category of vehicles or engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the regulations prescribed under section 7521 of this title, when in actual use throughout their useful life (as determined under section 7521(d) of this title), he shall immediately notify the manufacturer thereof of such nonconformity, and he shall require the manufacturer to submit a plan for remedying the nonconformity of the vehicles or engines with respect to which such notification is given. The plan shall provide that the nonconformity of any such vehicles or engines which are properly used and maintained will be remedied at the expense of the manufacturer. If the manufacturer disagrees with such determination of nonconformity and so advises the Administrator, the Administrator shall afford the manufacturer and other interested persons an opportunity to present their views and evidence in support thereof at a public hearing. Unless, as a result of such hearing the Administrator withdraws such determination of nonconformity, he shall, within 60 days after the completion of such hearing, order the manufacturer to provide prompt notification of such nonconformity in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2)Any notification required by paragraph (1) with respect to any class or category of vehicles or engines shall be given to dealers, ultimate purchasers, and subsequent purchasers (if known) in such manner and containing such information as the Administrator may by regulations require.
(3)(A)The manufacturer shall furnish with each new motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine written instructions for the proper maintenance and use of the vehicle or engine by the ultimate purchaser and such instructions shall correspond to regulations which the Administrator shall promulgate. The manufacturer shall provide in boldface type on the first page of the written maintenance instructions notice that maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual using any automotive part which has been certified as provided in subsection (a)(2).
(B)The instruction under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not include any condition on the ultimate purchaser’s using, in connection with such vehicle or engine, any component or service (other than a component or service provided without charge under the terms of the purchase agreement) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; or directly or indirectly distinguishing between service performed by the franchised dealers of such manufacturer or any other service establishments with which such manufacturer has a commercial relationship, and service performed by independent automotive repair facilities with which such manufacturer has no commercial relationship; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Administrator if—
(i)the manufacturer satisfies the Administrator that the vehicle or engine will function properly only if the component or service so identified is used in connection with such vehicle or engine, and
(ii)the Administrator finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.
(C)In addition, the manufacturer shall indicate by means of a label or tag permanently affixed to such vehicle or engine that such vehicle or engine is covered by a certificate of conformity issued for the purpose of assuring achievement of emissions standards prescribed under section 7521 of this title. Such label or tag shall contain such other information relating to control of motor vehicle emissions as the Administrator shall prescribe by regulation.
(4)Intermediate in-use standards.—
(A)Model years 1994 and 1995.—
For light-duty trucks of up to 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and light-duty vehicles which are subject to standards under table G of section 7521(g)(1) of this title in model years 1994 and 1995 (40 percent of the manufacturer’s sales volume in model year 1994 and 80 percent in model year 1995), the standards applicable to NMHC, CO, and NOx for purposes of this subsection shall be those set forth in table A below in lieu of the standards for such air pollutants otherwise applicable under this subchapter.
table a—intermediate in-use standards ldts up to 6,000 lbs. gvwr and light-duty vehicles
Vehicle type | NMHC | CO | NOx
*Not applicable to diesel-fueled vehicles.
Light-duty vehicles | 0.32 | 3.4 | 0.4*
LDT’s (0–3,750 LVW) | 0.32 | 5.2 | 0.4*
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 LVW) | 0.41 | 6.7 | 0.7*
(B)Model years 1996 and thereafter.—
(i)In the model years 1996 and 1997, light-duty trucks (LDTs) up to 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and light-duty vehicles which are not subject to final in-use standards under paragraph (5) (60 percent of the manufacturer’s sales volume in model year 1996 and 20 percent in model year 1997) shall be subject to the standards set forth in table A of subparagraph (A) for NMHC, CO, and NOx for purposes of this subsection in lieu of those set forth in paragraph (5).
(ii)For LDTs of more than 6,000 lbs. GVWR—
(I)in model year 1996 which are subject to the standards set forth in Table H of section 7521(h) of this title (50%);
(II)in model year 1997 (100%); and
(III)in model year 1998 which are not subject to final in-use standards under paragraph (5) (50%);
the standards for NMHC, CO, and NOx for purposes of this subsection shall be those set forth in Table B below in lieu of the standards for such air pollutants otherwise applicable under this subchapter.
Table B—Intermediate In-Use Standards LDTs More Than 6,000 Lbs. GVWR
Vehicle type | NMHC | CO | NOx
*Not applicable to diesel-fueled vehicles.
LDTs (3,751–5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.40 | 5.5 | 0.88*
LDTs (over 5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.49 | 6.2 | 1.38*
(C)Useful life.—
In the case of the in-use standards applicable under this paragraph, for purposes of applying this subsection, the applicable useful life shall be 5 years or 50,000 miles or the equivalent (whichever first occurs).
(5)Final in-use standards.—
(A)After the model year 1995, for purposes of applying this subsection, in the case of the percentage specified in the implementation schedule below of each manufacturer’s sales volume of light-duty trucks of up to 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and light duty vehicles, the standards for NMHC, CO, and NOx shall be as provided in Table G in section 7521(g) of this title, except that in applying the standards set forth in Table G for purposes of determining compliance with this subsection, the applicable useful life shall be (i) 5 years or 50,000 miles (or the equivalent) whichever first occurs in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 50,000 miles; and (ii) 10 years or 100,000 miles (or the equivalent), whichever first occurs in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 100,000 miles, except that no testing shall be done beyond 7 years or 75,000 miles, or the equivalent whichever first occurs.
LDTs up to 6,000 Lbs. GVWR and Light-Duty Vehicle Schedule for Implementation of Final In-Use Standards
Model year | Percent
1996 | 40
1997 | 80
1998 | 100
(B)After the model year 1997, for purposes of applying this subsection, in the case of the percentage specified in the implementation schedule below of each manufacturer’s sales volume of light-duty trucks of more than 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the standards for NMHC, CO, and NOx shall be as provided in Table H in section 7521(h) of this title, except that in applying the standards set forth in Table H for purposes of determining compliance with this subsection, the applicable useful life shall be (i) 5 years or 50,000 miles (or the equivalent) whichever first occurs in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 50,000 miles; and (ii) 11 years or 120,000 miles (or the equivalent), whichever first occurs in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 120,000 miles, except that no testing shall be done beyond 7 years or 90,000 miles (or the equivalent) whichever first occurs.
LDTs of More Than 6,000 Lbs. GVWR Implementation Schedule for Implementation of Final In-Use Standards
Model year | Percent
1998 | 50
1999 | 100
(6)Diesel vehicles; in-use useful life and testing.—
(A)In the case of diesel-fueled light-duty trucks up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR and light-duty vehicles, the useful life for purposes of determining in-use compliance with the standards under section 7521(g) of this title for NOx shall be a period of 10 years or 100,000 miles (or the equivalent), whichever first occurs, in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 100,000 miles, except that testing shall not be done for a period beyond 7 years or 75,000 miles (or the equivalent) whichever first occurs.
(B)In the case of diesel-fueled light-duty trucks of 6,000 lbs. GVWR or more, the useful life for purposes of determining in-use compliance with the standards under section 7521(h) of this title for NOx shall be a period of 11 years or 120,000 miles (or the equivalent), whichever first occurs, in the case of standards applicable for purposes of certification at 120,000 miles, except that testing shall not be done for a period beyond 7 years or 90,000 miles (or the equivalent) whichever first occurs.
(d)Dealer costs borne by manufacturer
Any cost obligation of any dealer incurred as a result of any requirement imposed by subsection (a), (b), or (c) shall be borne by the manufacturer. The transfer of any such cost obligation from a manufacturer to any dealer through franchise or other agreement is prohibited.
(e)Cost statement
If a manufacturer includes in any advertisement a statement respecting the cost or value of emission control devices or systems, such manufacturer shall set forth in such statement the cost or value attributed to such devices or systems by the Secretary of Labor (through the Bureau of Labor Statistics). The Secretary of Labor, and his representatives, shall have the same access for this purpose to the books, documents, papers, and records of a manufacturer as the Comptroller General has to those of a recipient of assistance for purposes of section 7611 of this title.
(f)Inspection after sale to ultimate purchaser
Any inspection of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle engine for purposes of subsection (c)(1), after its sale to the ultimate purchaser, shall be made only if the owner of such vehicle or engine voluntarily permits such inspection to be made, except as may be provided by any State or local inspection program.
(g)Replacement and maintenance costs borne by owner
For the purposes of this section, the owner of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine warranted under this section is responsible in the proper maintenance of such vehicle or engine to replace and to maintain, at his expense at any service establishment or facility of his choosing, such items as spark plugs, points, condensers, and any other part, item, or device related to emission control (but not designed for emission control under the terms of the last sentence of subsection (a)(3))), unless such part, item, or device is covered by any warranty not mandated by this chapter.
(h)Dealer certification
(1)If at any time during the period for which the warranty applies under subsection (b), a motor vehicle fails to conform to the applicable regulations under section 7521 of this title as determined under subsection (b) of this section such nonconformity shall be remedied by the manufacturer at the cost of the manufacturer pursuant to such warranty as provided in subsection (b)(2)(without regard to subparagraph (C) thereof).
(2)Nothing in section 7543(a) of this title shall be construed to prohibit a State from testing, or requiring testing of, a motor vehicle after the date of sale of such vehicle to the ultimate purchaser (except that no new motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer may be required to conduct testing under this paragraph).
(i)Warranty period
(1)In general
For purposes of subsection (a)(1) and subsection (b) of this section, the warranty period, effective with respect to new light-duty trucks and new light-duty vehicles and engines, manufactured in the model year 1995 and thereafter, shall be the first 2 years or 24,000 miles of use (whichever first occurs), except as provided in paragraph (2). For purposes of subsection (a)(1) and subsection (b), for other vehicles and engines the warranty period shall be the period established by the Administrator by regulation (promulgated prior to November 15, 1990) for such purposes unless the Administrator subsequently modifies such regulation.
(2)Specified major emission control components
In the case of a specified major emission control component, the warranty period for new light-duty trucks and new light-duty vehicles and engines manufactured in the model year 1995 and thereafter for purposes of subsection (a)(1) and subsection (b) shall be 8 years or 80,000 miles of use (whichever first occurs). As used in this paragraph, the term “specified major emission control component” means only a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions control unit, and an onboard emissions diagnostic device, except that the Administrator may designate any other pollution control device or component as a specified major emission control component if—
(A)the device or component was not in general use on vehicles and engines manufactured prior to the model year 1990; and
(B)the Administrator determines that the retail cost (exclusive of installation costs) of such device or component exceeds $200 (in 1989 dollars), adjusted for inflation or deflation as calculated by the Administrator at the time of such determination.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “onboard emissions diagnostic device” means any device installed for the purpose of storing or processing emissions related diagnostic information, but not including any parts or other systems which it monitors except specified major emissions control components. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to provide that any part (other than a part referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be required to be warranted under this chapter for the period of 8 years or 80,000 miles referred to in this paragraph.
(3)Instructions
Subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(2) shall apply only where the Administrator has made a determination that the instructions concerned conform to the requirements of subsection (c)(3).
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 1857f–5a of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 207 of act July 14, 1955, was renumbered section 208 by Pub. L. 91–604 and is classified to section 7542 of this title.
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–109 redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “Upon the sale of each new light-duty motor vehicle by a dealer, the dealer shall furnish to the purchaser a certificate that such motor vehicle conforms to the applicable
Regulations
under section 7521 of this title, including notice of the purchaser’s rights under paragraph (2).” 1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–549, § 209(4), inserted at end “In the case of vehicles and engines manufactured in the model year 1995 and thereafter such warranty shall require that the vehicle or engine is free from any such defects for the warranty period provided under subsection (i).” Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–549, § 209(1), (2), substituted “the warranty period (as determined under subsection (i))” for “useful life (as determined under section 7521(d) of this title)” in introductory provisions and par. (2)(B), and struck out closing provisions which read as follows: “For purposes of the warranty under this subsection, for the period after twenty-four months or twenty-four thousand miles (whichever first occurs) the term ‘emission control device or system’ means a catalytic converter, thermal reactor, or other component installed on or in a vehicle for the sole or primary purpose of reducing vehicle emissions. Such term shall not include those vehicle components which were in general use prior to model year 1968.” Subsec. (c)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 101–549, § 210, added pars. (4) to (6). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–549, § 230(9), substituted “the last sentence of subsection (a)(3))” for “the last three sentences of subsection (a)(1)”. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101–549, § 209(3), added subsec. (i). 1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–190, § 14(a)(70), designated provisions contained in cl. (3) of subsec. (a), formerly set out as containing cls. (1), (2), and (3), to be par. (3) of subsec. (a) after the amendment by Pub. L. 95–95, § 209(b), which designated provisions of former subsec. (a) as par. (1) and former cls. (1) and (2) as (A) and (B) of par. (1) and added a new par. (2). Pub. L. 95–95, § 205, added cl. (3). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–95, § 209(a), (c), inserted provisions to par. (2) that no warranty be held invalid on the basis of any part used in the maintenance or repair of a vehicle or engine if the part was certified as provided in subsec. (a)(2) of this section, and, following par. (2), inserted provisions defining “emission control device or system”. Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 95–95, § 208, designated existing provisions as subpars. (A) and (C), added requirement for the bold face printing of a required notice on the first page of the written maintenance instructions in subpar. (A), and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 95–190, § 14(a)(71), redesignated subsec. (f) as added by Pub. L. 95–95, § 212, as (h). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–95, § 210, added subsec. (g). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 95–190, § 14(a)(71), redesignated subsec. (f) as added by Pub. L. 95–95, § 212, as (h). Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 95–190, § 14(a)(72), substituted “determined under” for “determined and”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–549, title II, § 209, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2484, provided that the
Amendments
made by that section are effective with respect to new motor vehicles and engines manufactured in model year 1995 and thereafter.
Effective Date
of 1977 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 95–95 effective Aug. 7, 1977, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 406(d) of Pub. L. 95–95, set out as a note under section 7401 of this title.
Effective Date
Section not applicable to vehicles or engines imported into United States before sixtieth day after Dec. 31, 1970, see section 8(b) of Pub. L. 91–604, set out as a note under section 7525 of this title. Modification or Rescission of Rules,
Regulations
, Orders, Determinations, Contracts, Certifications, Authorizations, Delegations, and Other ActionsAll rules,
Regulations
, orders, determinations, contracts, certifications, authorizations, delegations, or other actions duly issued, made, or taken by or pursuant to act
July 14, 1955, the Clean Air Act, as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of Pub. L. 95–95 [Aug. 7, 1977] to continue in full force and effect until modified or rescinded in accordance with act
July 14, 1955, as amended by Pub. L. 95–95 [this chapter], see section 406(b) of Pub. L. 95–95, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1977 Amendment note under section 7401 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 7541
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110