REPAIR Act Advances in Congress
The bipartisan REPAIR Act is making progress in the U.S. House, expanding consumers' rights to fix their own vehicles and electronics by ensuring broader access to parts, manuals, and diagnostic tools. The Federal Trade Commission found that many manufacturer repair restrictions are "unwarranted" and anti-competitive. Colorado has led the movement with the first-ever agricultural right-to-repair law allowing farmers to fix their own equipment.
- The full name of the legislation is the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act." The House version is designated as H.R. 1566 and is sponsored by a bipartisan group of representatives, including Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). - On February 10, 2026, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced H.R. 1566, sending it to the full committee for further consideration. Proponents are also advocating for its inclusion in the surface transportation reauthorization bill that must be passed by September 30, 2026. - Key proponents of the bill include the Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and the CAR (Consumer Access to Repair) Coalition, who argue it is necessary to protect the nation's 292 million registered vehicles, 70% of which are maintained by independent repair facilities. - Major opposition comes from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (representing automakers) and the National Automobile Dealers Association. They argue the legislation is unnecessary because a 2014 memorandum of understanding already ensures independent shops have access to necessary repair information and that the bill could compromise vehicle safety and data privacy. - A central issue is the wireless transmission of vehicle data, or telematics. Proponents argue that as this technology becomes standard in 95% of new vehicles by 2030, manufacturers can wirelessly steer repairs to their dealerships, locking out independent shops. - The U.S. automotive repair and maintenance market was valued at approximately $183.4 billion in 2023. Independent repair shops perform about 75% of post-warranty vehicle repairs. - Automakers and dealerships have proposed an alternative piece of legislation called the "Safety as First Emphasis (SAFE) Repair Act," which they claim builds on existing agreements and better addresses vehicle safety systems. - Public polling indicates strong bipartisan support for the principles of the REPAIR Act, with one survey showing 83% of Americans in favor of a national right-to-repair law for vehicles.
