National Right to Repair
Today's vehicles send maintenance and repair data wirelessly, and only to the automaker, which then decides who gets access and at what cost. With about 95% of new vehicles sold globally expected to be connected by 2030 (McKinsey), Right to Repair protects drivers' choice and keeps independent repair shops in business.
Resources toolkit
Right to Repair Media Kit
Free, ready-to-use materials for the Right to Repair campaign: guides, logos, QR codes, flyers, social graphics and video for repair shops and drivers.
The 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.
Today, that data is transmitted wirelessly (telematics) and sent directly and only to the vehicle manufacturer, who then serves as a gatekeeper, determining who can have access and at what cost.
Lack of access to repair data hurts consumers:
- Increased repair costs from required trips to dealerships
- Limited 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, it means:
- Loss of innovation
- Lack of competition
- Reduced collaboration
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
Hear from independent shops
America's network of local, independent repair shops gives car and truck owners options. Hear why they're calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566 / S. 1379).
Shops & technicians
Can't repair it? Report it.
Forced to send a vehicle back to the dealer because of data or tool restrictions? Tell us. Your reports help protect your right to repair.
Auto Care Association Sends Letter to EPA on Freedom to Fix
BETHESDA, Md. – July 14, 2026 – In a letter sent to Administrator Zeldin today, the Auto Care Association praised the EPA’s leadership in supporting automotive right to repair for emissions systems and urged the White House to work with and encourage Congress to fully protect this freedom to fix for all vehicle systems.
“Repair restrictions are real and growing,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Most independent shops (63%) already experience difficulties making routine vehicle repairs on a daily or weekly basis. Half (51%) are forced to send up to five vehicles a month to automaker repair networks thanks to vehicle data restrictions. The EPA has correctly enforced the ‘freedom to fix’ for vehicle emissions systems, and the FTC has correctly enforced right to repair to stop John Deere from monopolizing repair. Now Congress must finish the job and protect competition and affordability in car repair.”
The letter highlights ongoing challenges posed by automakers restricting access to repair data, especially via telematics, and calls for legislative action to ensure competitive and affordable vehicle repairs nationwide:
- President Trump believes Americans should have the right to repair their vehicles.
- EPA and FTC support right to repair: The EPA has advanced right to repair for vehicle emissions systems and the FTC has acted to protect farmers’ repair rights.
- Need for comprehensive repair data access: Consumers and independent shops require equal access to repair tools and information for all vehicle systems, not just emissions, to maintain affordability and competition over a vehicle’s lifespan.
- Manufacturers restrict telematics data: Automakers sell vehicle data to third parties but deny independent shops and consumers equal access to telematics repair data, aiming to limit competition and steer repairs to franchised dealers.
The Auto Care Association urges Congress to complete the important work of ensuring safe, affordable and accessible vehicle repairs for consumers by passing the REPAIR Act.
Learn more about the Auto Care Association’s right to repair efforts and the REPAIR Act at autocare.org/righttorepair.
What's happening now
In November 2020, Massachusetts voters backed Ballot Question 1, also known as Right to Repair, with 75% in favor. In November 2023, Maine followed with 84% voting yes. The fight for federal legislation to secure these rights across the United States has just begun.
If manufacturers control access to vehicle data, they decide who can repair vehicles and at what cost, limiting consumer choice and increasing cost and inconvenience.
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.
Tell your legislator to support Right to Repair legislation for the auto industry today!
Act nowUse our media kit to download and share or create your own graphics supporting the cause.
Go to toolkitEncourage your company to also take action by sending a letter to their legislator.
Send letterShops: tell us if you were restricted from repairing a vehicle.
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