A method for determining an over-temperature condition in an exhaust gas treatment system is provided. The method compares a current soot load in a particulate filter with a threshold soot load. The method compares each of a plurality of temperatures sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors with a threshold temperature. Based on determining that the current soot load in a particulate filter of the exhaust gas treatment system exceeds a threshold soot load and that one of the plurality of temperatures exceeds the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition. Based on determining that the current soot load in the particular filter does not exceed the threshold soot load and that two or more of the plurality of temperatures exceed the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition.