At a Glance
- The House subcommittee debated the Repair Act, which would force automakers to share vehicle data with owners and independent shops.
- Automakers oppose the bill, citing intellectual-property risks; independent repair groups say locked data blocks cheaper, faster fixes.
- Witnesses split on whether current manufacturer tools already meet consumer needs.
- Why it matters: If passed, drivers could access diagnostic and repair data now controlled solely by car companies, potentially cutting repair costs and expanding service options.
A House subcommittee hearing on automotive policy turned fiery Tuesday as lawmakers and industry witnesses sparred over the Repair Act, a bill that would compel automakers to release the trove of digital data modern vehicles collect to vehicle owners and third-party repair shops.
Vehicles Are Data Sponges-Drivers Just Can’t See It
Every trip records where you drive, how fast you accelerate, how hard you brake, even your weight. That information stays locked behind manufacturer-controlled digital gates. Only authorized technicians or the carmaker itself can open the gates, leaving owners unable to view or use the data for their own repairs or modifications.
Nathan Proctor, senior director of the campaign for the right to repair at PIRG, told News Of Fort Worth that automakers leverage exclusive data access as a marketing tool. “Repair would actually be quicker, cheaper, more convenient if this information was more widely distributed, but it’s not,” he said.
What the Repair Act Would Do
Introduced in early 2025 by Representatives Neal Dunn of Florida and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, the bill would require manufacturers to provide:
- Telemetry data to vehicle owners
- Access for independent repair shops to diagnostic and repair information
- Any data necessary to maintain or fix the vehicle
Supporters include parts suppliers and auto-care-shop associations. Opponents include major automakers and dealership groups, who argue the legislation could expose proprietary code and trade secrets.
Hearing Highlights: Charges of Monopoly vs. Claims of Sufficient Access
The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee titled the session “Examining Legislative Options to Strengthen Motor Vehicle Safety, Ensure Consumer Choice and Affordability, and Cement US Automotive Leadership.” While lawmakers also discussed autonomous-vehicle oversight and catalytic-converter theft, tension peaked during the Repair Act debate.
Bill Hanvey, CEO of the Auto Care Association, testified that the data lockdown has intensified over the past decade. “Make no mistake about it, automakers unilaterally control the data, not the owner of the vehicle. It may be your car, but currently it is the manufacturer’s data to do with whatever they choose,” he said.
Hilary Cain, senior vice president of policy at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, countered that manufacturers already supply independent shops with “all the information, instruction, tools, and codes necessary to properly and safely fix a vehicle.” She voiced support for a federal right-to-repair standard that, in her words, “doesn’t force automakers to provide aftermarket parts manufacturers or auto parts retailers with data that isn’t necessary to diagnose or repair a vehicle.”
Key Arguments for the Bill
Proponents frame the issue as consumer rights and market competition:
- Quicker diagnostics: Local mechanics could read error codes without dealer portals.
- Lower costs: More service providers could compete for maintenance work.
- Owner control: Drivers would own their operational data, not just the metal.
Industry Pushback
Automakers and dealers cite several concerns:
- Intellectual-property exposure: Raw telematics could reveal proprietary software logic.
- Cyber-security risks: Additional data portals might expand hacking surfaces.
- Sufficiency of existing tools: Companies say current portals already allow safe third-party repairs.
What Happens Next
The subcommittee took no vote Tuesday. Staff said members will continue negotiations on language that balances consumer access with trade-secret protections. No calendar date has been set for markup or floor consideration.
Key Takeaways
- Modern cars generate extensive driver and vehicle data, yet owners generally cannot access it.
- The Repair Act would grant drivers and independent shops the same digital keys dealers possess.
- Automakers argue the bill goes too far; independent repair groups say it merely restores ownership rights.
- With bipartisan sponsors and strong lobbying on both sides, the proposal will likely remain contentious through the legislative session.
