Right to Repair Act Introduced into 112th Congress with Bipartisan Support

BETHESDA, MD – April 11, 2011 – Reps. Todd Platts (R-PA-York) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY-Brooklyn) have introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 1449) into the 112th Congress. 

The Right to Repair Act protects motoring consumers from an expensive and growing vehicle repair monopoly by requiring that car companies provide full access at a reasonable cost to all service information, tools, computer codes and safety-related bulletins needed to repair motor vehicles.  The pro-consumer, pro-small business bill is intended to level the competitive playing field for motoring consumers and between new car dealerships and independent repair shops. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets, only requiring them to make available the same non-proprietary diagnostic and repair information they provide their franchised dealers.

"The Right to Repair Act is really about who owns the vehicle's repair information, the car owner or the car company. After spending thousands of dollars to purchase a vehicle, consumers should not be denied the ability to have that vehicle repaired at the facility of their choice," said Sandy Bass-Cors, executive director of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). "Without Right to Repair, millions of car owners will be further held hostage by the car companies, forced to return to the dealership even after the vehicle is out of warranty. Every American taxpayer paid for the car company bailouts and ‘Cash for Clunkers.' It's time that pro-consumer legislation is passed that doesn't cost the taxpayers money."

The need for the Right to Repair Act has become apparent due to the growing use of computers and electronics which control nearly every function of a vehicle from air bags and brakes to ignition, fuel injection and tire pressure monitoring systems.  Although these computer systems provide benefits to consumers through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also provide increasing opportunities for car companies to deny access to car owners and the repair shops where they normally obtain service for their vehicle. 

"We want to thank Reps. Towns and Platts for joining forces and taking important action to ensure that American car owners will continue to have access to quality, affordable auto repair," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).  "The Right to Repair Act does not cost tax payers money, but instead keeps motorists in the driver's seat by making sure that they, and not the vehicle manufacturers, have the final say on where their car is taken for service, whether to a dealership or a trusted neighborhood repair shop."

About Right to Repair:
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Todd Platts (R-PA), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers.  The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements.  For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org.