Legislation to Establish Right-to-Repair as Federal Law Reintroduced by Bipartisan Group

      Lawmakers from both parties are supporting a nationwide right-to-repair bill that would ensure independent repair shops receive the same access to tools and data as dealerships. If enacted, this legislation could lower the cost and increase the ease of car repairs.

      Called the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, the proposal was crafted by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI). These three organizations jointly presented their proposal in a letter to Congress dated February 18, 2025, which is noteworthy given that AAI, representing numerous car manufacturers including Stellantis and General Motors, had previously opposed the expansion of right-to-repair laws in Massachusetts for years.

      A similar bill was proposed in 2023 but failed to make it to the House floor last October. It was reintroduced on February 25 by a bipartisan coalition of 16 representatives including Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA). While right-to-repair laws already exist throughout the country, the REPAIR Act aims to solidify this principle at the federal level. In today’s political climate, any bipartisan initiative is commendable.

      The objectives of the bill include ensuring that vehicle owners, independent repair facilities, and parts manufacturers have fair access to diagnostic data and software. It also seeks to maintain vehicle cybersecurity while permitting non-affiliated repair shops to calibrate electronic features such as driver assistance systems. Although the bill might seem irrelevant if you drive an older model like a 2003 Dodge Dakota, it addresses issues that are increasingly prevalent as vehicles become more intricate.

      The bill has a substantial path ahead before it can be presented to the president. It will undergo research, discussion, and amendments multiple times prior to being voted on in the House of Representatives. If it advances to that stage, it will then move to the Senate to go through a similar evaluation. If it receives approval again, both chambers will need to reconcile their versions of the bill and make necessary adjustments until a consensus is reached.

      Right-to-repair extends beyond automobiles to encompass electronic devices such as laptops, farm equipment, and heavy machinery. Without right-to-repair legislation, manufacturers can restrict individuals and independent repair facilities from accessing essential parts, services, and data related to vehicles, often through software restrictions that only authorized dealers can bypass. While automobile manufacturers claim that right-to-repair could jeopardize safety, critics from diverse political viewpoints accuse them of prioritizing their profits over consumer needs.

      Restricting repairs and maintenance can lead to increased costs for vehicle owners. According to the REPAIR Act’s website, drivers typically pay 36% more for repairs at dealerships compared to independent shops. The website also emphasizes that motorists in rural areas may have to travel hours to reach the nearest authorized repair center. When car repairs become costly or time-consuming, drivers are likely to postpone them. The site reveals that in 2021, about 21.3% of drivers delayed necessary repairs due to factors such as expense and convenience.

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