The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2057)  

Overview

The Issue:

Modern cars and light 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 in some cases, tire pressure. Car owners and independent shops must have full access to the information and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, or re-program these systems. This information and equipment is necessary to ensure vehicle safety, performance, and environmental compliance. Vehicle manufacturers are making access to such vital information increasingly difficult and costly to obtain for the independent aftermarket and its customers.

Impact on Consumers and the Aftermarket:

Without access to critical information and tools, motorists are forced to patronize new car dealerships, which may not be convenient, accessible or otherwise desirable to the car owner. Moreover, the lack of competition and consumer choice will inevitably lead to higher repair prices. Failure to perform necessary maintenance for any reason will result in unsafe and high-polluting vehicles populating the nation's highways.

Action Needed:

The Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act prevents vehicle manufacturers and others from unfairly restricting access to the information and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, re-program or install automotive replacement parts. The Act would require the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate and enforce regulations that ensure competition in the vehicle repair business. In addition, the bill would permit the FTC, car owners and independent repair facilities to take legal action to ensure all information and tools are available and affordable. The Right to Repair Act does not affect the dealer’s right to perform any services, including warranty work and does not unconstitutionally take the manufacturer’s intellectual property or require them to disclose trade secrets.

WHY THIS BILL IS NEEDED:

* Current automotive technology is being used to successfully “lock out” car owners from being able to repair and maintain their own vehicles. Modern automobiles contain many computers that control virtually every component such as the braking system, steering mechanism, air bags, ignition, and the climate control system.
* Lacking the ability to “talk” to the car’s computers, owners or their auto technicians cannot accurately diagnose and repair mechanical problems.
* This means that later model cars will only be serviced and repaired at automobile dealerships, which makes shopping around for the best prices and most convenient service locations impossible.
* Without the ability to choose, consumers are denied competitive prices and the right to choose where, how, and when to have their vehicles repaired – at affordable prices and convenient locations.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES:

* Reaffirms the owners’ right to repair their automobile and keep their families safe.
* Promotes consumer safety by allowing owners or their auto technicians’ access to the same information and tools available to franchised dealers to repair and maintain late model computer controlled vehicle systems.
* Permits owners to choose the repair shop to service and maintain their vehicles.
* Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce requirements in order to protect consumers and to promote competition in auto maintenance and repair.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES NOT DO:

* It does not affect the dealer's warranty agreement with the vehicle manufacturers.
* It does not require manufacturers to disclose manufacturing processes or trade secrets unless that information is made available to the new car dealer.

Write Congressional Members

We encourage each of you to write to your congressional members and share our position on this issue. You can personalize the form letter located HERE.