Sponsors (46)
Official title: To ensure consumers have access to data relating to motor vehicles of the consumers and critical repair information and tools for such motor vehicles, to provide such consumers with choices for the maintenance, service, and repair of such vehicles, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 25, 2025 by Neal Patrick Dunn · Last progress February 25, 2025
The bill broadly expands consumer and independent-repair access to vehicle data and parts and strengthens enforcement and privacy protections, but it raises compliance costs, potential safety and administrative burdens, and may preempt stronger local rules.
Motor vehicle owners and independent repair shops gain clear access to vehicle-generated diagnostic and repair data and tools, enabling independent repairs and more service choices outside dealers.
Aftermarket parts manufacturers and remanufacturers can produce and offer compatible parts without manufacturer-imposed technological or legal blocks, supporting competition and likely lowering repair costs.
Consumers (including low-income individuals) get easier enforcement routes: the FTC has explicit authority, a short complaint process with timelines, and mechanisms to obtain reparations without protracted litigation.
Vehicle manufacturers and dealers will face increased compliance, data-handling, and materials-update costs that are likely to be passed along to consumers through higher vehicle prices or service fees.
Broader access to vehicle systems and parts creates potential safety risks if unqualified parties modify critical systems, which could endanger drivers and other road users.
Tight definitions, exemptions (e.g., for OEM parts or ADS-equipped vehicles), and ambiguities about what data must be shared may be used to limit access, trigger disputes, and force litigation or lengthy agency interpretation.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Requires manufacturers to give owners, designees, and independent repair actors equal access to vehicle-generated data, repair information, and tools and allows FTC enforcement.
Requires motor vehicle manufacturers to give vehicle owners, their designees, independent repair shops, aftermarket parts makers, diagnostic tool makers, remanufacturers, and towing/service providers the same access to vehicle-generated data, repair information, and tools that manufacturers provide to their dealers and authorized providers. Creates an FTC-enforced private-complaint enforcement regime, an advisory committee to study post-sale repair competition, NHTSA rules on buyer notice at point of sale, biennial FTC reports to Congress, and federal preemption of state or local laws that conflict with the Act.