Right to Repair

Modern cars and trucks contain advanced technology that monitors or controls virtually every function of the vehicle including: brakes, steering, air bags, fuel delivery, ignition, lubrication, theft prevention, emission controls and soon, tire pressure. Car and truck owners, as well as the facilities that repair these vehicles need full access to the information, parts and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair or re-program these systems.

In May 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report highlighting the barriers auto manufacturers have instituted to block consumers’ Right to Repair. In the report, the FTC supported expanding consumer repair options and found “scant evidence” for the repair restrictions imposed by original equipment manufacturers. In a subsequent policy statement on the report, the FTC noted that these repair restrictions create hardships for families and businesses and that the Commission was “concerned that this this burden is borne more heavily by underserved communities, including communities of color and lower-income Americans.

Learn more at the following link about the efforts of TIA and other automotive organizations to protect the rights of automotive repair shops to complete repairs and the rights of consumers to select the repair shop of their choice here.

Have you experienced obstacles or challenges that hindered you from repairing a vehicle? Report those incidents here: Report Your Right to Repair Issue.