The battle over right to repair laws has endured for years now, essentially ever since Massachusetts residents voted to approve a standardized open access data platform that would enable mechanics and independent repair shops to access that data for diagnostics and repairs with owner permission, rather than manufacturer approval. Ford-backed lobby group Alliance for Automotive Innovation has long opposed these types of right to repair bills, and recently came up with its own competing legislation on the topic in the state of Maine. That same organization recently asked a court to delay the implementation of Massachusetts’ amended right to repair law, but its efforts there have failed, according to the Boston Globe.
The updated right to repair law is set to be enforced starting June 1st as originally scheduled after the Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s emergency motion to prevent that from happening was denied by U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock. While Woodlock acknowledged that the law “is in its current form likely unattainable,” and noted that it could very well harm automakers, he also noted that this decision isn’t really up to him, either. “The people have voted on this and that’s the result,” Woodlock said. “I am loath to impose my own views on the initiative.” The judge did note that automakers can still seek a preliminary injunction against the law, however.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation and multiple automakers have long argued that this amended right to repair law will cause “irreparable harm” to manufacturers and would require those entities “to remove essential cybersecurity protections from their vehicles.”
In Massachusetts, some automakers have already made attempts to avoid compliance by disabling telematics systems and taking other measures, which AIA argues “would harm consumers and cause incalculable harm” if it is allowed to continue, or if automakers pull their business from that state altogether.
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Comments
The “RIGHT” to repair is just that, a RIGHT! We bought the vehicle, it’s OURS, not the manufacture. Taking it to a DEALER would cost 10 times to repair! John Deer tried to pull this BS with farmers, forcing them to pay a dealer to come out and change a d@mn tail light or fan belt, costing the farmers time and money. Dealers jack the price for parts double what they cost, and that bull$hit.
Amen to the above comments / ford just wants to control the narrative so their image isn’t tarnished … well guess what knowledge is power and if u make problematic vehicles it shud b known and fixed at affordable price or by manufacturer better yet!… be a company of integrity!!
Freedom (which has been eroding since Jan 2021 but will be back Jan 2025) is our right to do what we what. I will never go to the dealership for repairs because they overcharge then damage a different part so you have to end up paying more to them. Based on bad experience many years ago where I fell for the inexpensive oil change for $29.99 (yes that’s what it cost 40 years ago) and walked out almost $300 later because my CV Boot had a “tear” in it. I would have known if the part was damaged before hand but hey, fool me once and that’s it. done. I later found out that this dealership was famous for this kind of business practice. Fortunately, they went out of business 20 years ago.