National Right to Repair
Tell your legislator to support Right to Repair legislation for the auto industry
ACT NOWThe Issue
Access to vehicle maintenance and repair data is under threat from vehicle manufacturers. Historically, OBD-2 ports have granted vehicle owners and technicians access to vehicle data to assist with maintenance and repair.
However, in the digital age of the modern vehicle, maintenance and repair data is now transmitted wirelessly and sent directly and only to vehicle manufacturers.
In 2021, 50% of cars already had these connected capabilities and by 2030, about 95% of new vehicles sold globally will have this connectivity (McKinsey).
Testimonial | Kathleen Callahan, Xpertech Auto Repair
Lack of access to repair data is detrimental to consumers in multiple ways:
- Increased repair costs to consumers from requiring trips to dealerships
- Limited consumer choice in where they take their vehicle for maintenance and repair
- Lack of privacy: manufacturers collect terabytes of data from vehicles, often without drivers' knowledge
For the aftermarket, this can result in:
- Loss of innovation
- Lack of competition
- Reduced collaboration
Wireless transmission of vehicle data, also known as telematics, allows vehicles to be diagnosed and in some cases, repaired without ever going to a shop. While access to this data could provide many benefits to vehicle owners, currently the data is sent only to the vehicle manufacturer who then serves as a gatekeeper for the data, determining who can have access and at what cost.
50%
of cars had these connected capabilities in 2021
95%
of new vehicles sold globally will have this connectivity by 2030
Testimonial | Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive
Our Position
Vehicle owners have the right to decide how and where to have their vehicles repaired, and independent repair shops need access to maintenance and repair data to perform safe and quality vehicle maintenance.
The REPAIR Act would preserve consumer access to high-quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that as vehicles continue to modernize, vehicle owners and their repairer of choice have equal access to repair and maintenance tools and data. The REPAIR Act has three important principles:
- Prevents vehicle manufacturers from deploying barriers to repair and maintenance
- Requires that vehicle owners and their designees have access to vehicle-generated data from the manufacturer
- Prohibits mandating particular brands, tools and equipment for repairing vehicles
Read a full summary of the REPAIR Act
America’s vibrant network of local, independent repair shops plays a critical role in ensuring car and truck owners have options when it comes to repairing their vehicles.
Hear why independent repair shops are calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566/S. 1379).
What’s happening now
In November 2020, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly voiced their support for Ballot Question 1, also known as Right to Repair with a 75% vote in favor. In November 2023, Maine followed suit with 84% voting yes. However, the fight for federal legislation to secure our rights across the United States has just begun to protect the more than 270,000 service outlets and 900,000 technicians that service the more than 285 million vehicles on the road.
If manufacturers are permitted to control access to consumer's vehicle data, they will have the ability to determine who can repair their vehicles and at what cost. Such action would give manufacturers almost total control of the independent repair market, limiting consumer choice and increasing cost and inconvenience by granting the car company almost total power over the aftermarket.
The time to act is now – tell your legislator to support The REPAIR Act.
278,532
service outlets
4.9
people employed in the industry
292 million
vehicles on the road
Take Action Today
Current law is inadequate to address growing competitive concerns created by new vehicle technology. The REPAIR Act seeks to resolve current and future issues that prevent consumers and independent repair shops from having the right to control the data generated through their use of their vehicles to fully maintain and repair their modern vehicles, while ensuring cybersecurity and safety for critical vehicle systems.
The REPAIR Act would preserve consumer access to high-quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that as vehicles continue to modernize, vehicle owners and their repairer of choice have equal access to repair and maintenance tools and data. As vehicles continue to become more advanced, access to vehicle repair and maintenance diagnostic data is imperative as well as access to the necessary software, sophisticated replacement components, training, and diagnostic tools.
Tell your legislator to support Right to Repair legislation for the auto industry today!
Use our media kit to download and share or create your own graphics supporting the cause.
Encourage your company to also take action by sending a letter to their legislator.
Shops: tell us if you were restricted from repairing a vehicle.
Resources
Press Release Auto Care Association to Host Webinar on 2026 Policy Landscape, Right to Repair, Vehicle Data
Press Release On Your Behalf
Auto Care Association Testifies at U.S. House Subcommittee Hearing Highlighting Vehicle Repair Access, Safety, Affordability
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