If you’ve taken a car to an independent shop lately, you know the frustration. A check engine light blinks, the local mechanic hooks up a scanner, and they tell you they can’t pull all the codes because the automaker locks the diagnostic data. That’s the problem the Right to Repair Automotive Act aims to fix. This federal legislation, reintroduced in 2023, would require automakers to provide independent repair shops and owners with the same tools, software, and information they give their dealers. As someone who spent 15 years inside NHTSA investigating safety defects, I’ve seen how restricted access to repair data can delay fixes and put drivers at risk. Here’s what the data shows. Here’s what owners should do.
What Is the Right to Repair Automotive Act?
The Right to Repair Automotive Act builds on the Massachusetts vehicle data law that passed in 2020 but was blocked in court. The federal version, H.R. 906 in the House and S. 126 in the Senate, would amend the Clean Air Act to mandate that automakers make diagnostic and repair information available to third parties on fair and reasonable terms. That includes everything from sourcing replacement parts to accessing software updates and security protocols. It would also standardize the data-sharing system so that a scanner at a local garage works as well as the one at the dealership.
Supporters argue that the act levels the playing field. Today, automakers control the flow of repair data through proprietary systems. Independent shops often can’t perform simple tasks like resetting an oil-life monitor if the manufacturer locks that function behind a dealer-only subscription. The act would also apply to telematics—the wireless data your car sends about its health. You, the owner, should have the right to share that data with whoever you choose.
Why Automotive Repair Access Matters for Safety
From my NHTSA days, I recall a pattern: when recalls roll out, dealers get the fix immediately, but independent shops often wait months for the diagnostic software or repair procedures. I saw a case involving a brake failure defect on a 2019 sedan. The NHTSA filing showed the root cause was a faulty ABS module that required reprogramming. Dealers could handle it day one. Independent shops that serviced 40 percent of those vehicles couldn’t reflash the module for six weeks. Think about that—thousands of cars stayed on the road with a known safety defect because the independent mechanics didn’t have the codes.
The Right to Repair Automotive Act would close that gap. By requiring automakers to provide the same diagnostic tools and software to all repair facilities, the act ensures that recalls and safety-critical repairs happen faster. Delays don’t just inconvenience owners; they increase the chances of a failure leading to a crash. The data shows that vehicles serviced by independent shops have comparable safety outcomes when they have the right tools. It’s not about capability; it’s about access.
How Automakers Have Resisted Independent Repairs
Automakers have pushed back hard against repair mandates. Their arguments usually come down to cybersecurity and proprietary trade secrets. Tesla, for example, has argued that opening up its software could allow hackers to tamper with safety systems. John Deere has made similar claims about its agricultural equipment. But in my experience, the real motive is often profit. Dealership service departments generate significant revenue. Locking repair data keeps customers coming back to the dealer for overpriced fixes.
I’ve seen internal industry documents where automakers debated whether to encrypt diagnostic data to block independent access. Some manufacturers have gone so far as to require annual subscriptions for third-party diagnostic software, even for basic code reading. The Right to Repair Automotive Act would ban these anti-competitive practices. It would also prevent automakers from using copyright laws to restrict access to repair manuals and schematics.
What Owners Should Do While the Act Is Pending
As of early 2025, the Right to Repair Automotive Act has not passed. It has bipartisan support but faces strong opposition from automaker lobbies and dealer associations. While we wait, there are concrete steps you can take to protect your right to repair:
- **Support the legislation.** Write to your U.S. representative and senators. Tell them you want the Right to Repair Automotive Act to become law. Short, personal letters matter more than form emails.
- **Choose cars with easier access.** Some automakers are friendlier to independent repair. Brands like Subaru and Toyota have been voluntarily sharing more data. Research before you buy.
- **Join a consumer advocacy group.** The Car Care Council and the Automotive Service Association track repair issues. Their newsletters keep you informed.
- **Document repair denials.** If a shop can’t fix your car because of data locks, file a complaint with the FTC and your state attorney general. Public pressure helps.
The Data Shows: Repair Monopolies Cost Consumers
A 2023 study from the Consumer Federation of America estimated that automaker control over repair data costs U.S. drivers an extra $1.4 billion per year in higher repair bills and lost time. That’s $300 to $500 per household for a typical repair like a transmission control module replacement. Independent shops charge on average 30 percent less per hour than dealerships, but they lose business when they can’t access the data.
From a safety perspective, the cost is measured in lives. Delays in applying recall repairs are linked to preventable crashes. NHTSA data from 2022 showed that 25 percent of vehicles with open recalls were not repaired within 18 months. Independent shops could help close that gap. The Right to Repair Automotive Act would empower them to do so.
Here’s what the data shows. Here’s what owners should do: Stay informed, get involved, and when you visit a shop, ask if they have full access to your vehicle’s diagnostic systems. If they don’t, join the chorus calling for change. Your right to repair your own car is worth fighting for.
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