Have you ever gone to your neighborhood car mechanic and heard, “Sorry, we can’t fix that here.” Help is on the way. Eventually.
Automobile repair bills have climbed sharply, and what’s driving costs isn’t inflation or supply chain problems. It’s a scheme that directs car owners to the manufacturer’s repair facility by denying independent repair shops access to the information needed to fix today’s vehicles. Modern vehicles rely on diagnostics, software, vehicle data and tools that independent repair shops can’t access. Why is that access denied?
Because manufacturers want to monopolize repair of vehicles at the expense of community repair shops. Many of those repair shops have been family-owned for generations and they employ almost 5 million Americans that generate $500 billion per year. Half of them, according to The Hill, have been forced to send clients to dealerships jacking up the national cost by $3.1 billion annually.
On average, drivers spend 36% more on repair costs at the dealership than they would at an independent service shop. 77% of vehicles are over seven years old and without right to repair, drivers will be forced to dealerships where costs are higher, taking an estimated $100 billion from drivers’ pockets.
Not only that, but your dealership could void your car’s warranty for a simple modification like an aftermarket air filter, cold air intake, or exhaust system. While these are safe mods, a dealership could easily say that the aftermarket air filter put the car's Mass Air Flow sensor out of alignment, or the free-flow exhaust upset the O2 sensor, causing engine damage. Without the data to prove the dealership was wrong, you’d have to remove the offending modification and install a dealership product.
The Military
The Hill also notes that Defense Secretary Pete “gets it” as early as the summer of 2025. He is now demanding right-to-repair rules for all Army contracts, new and old, so our troops can keep equipment running in war zones without waiting on a corporate help desk. This saves taxpayer dollars, increases readiness and cuts out bureaucratic delays.
The Farmers
The next bureaucracy to “get it” was the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On 3 June 2025, John Deere sent a letter to EPA requesting the agency issue guidance confirming that temporary emission control overrides are allowed by EPA. The agency’s guidance emerged 60 days later, on 12 August 2025. It was a direct response to the John Deere request and makes clear that temporary overrides are allowed under the Clean Air Act.
On 12 August 2025 Administrator Zeldin announced new guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system software in existing vehicles and equipment. EPA’s action works to protect hard-working American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden shutdowns and give them the time to make repairs without impacting productivity or safety.
The EPA website gave itself a well-deserved kudo by further quoting Zeldin, “EPA is proud to set the record straight and protect farmers. For far too long, manufacturers have wrongly used the Clean Air Act to monopolize the repair markets, hurting our farmers. Common sense is following the law as it is written, and that is what the Trump EPA is committed to doing. By protecting every American’s right to repair, we’re not just fixing devices, we’re securing a stronger, more independent future for our country.”
The EPA website also quoted Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This is another win for American farmers and ranchers by the Trump Administration. By clarifying manufacturers can no longer use the Clean Air Act to justify limiting access to repair tools or software, we are reaffirming the lawful right of American farmers and equipment owners to repair their farm equipment. Thank you, Administrator Zeldin, for continuing to put farmers first. This is expected to save our farmers thousands in unnecessary repairs, saving much needed funds after Bidenflation drove up equipment costs on average 45%.”
The EPA website went on to quote Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “EPA’s guidance affirming the Right to Repair will save our agricultural communities thousands of dollars by eliminating corporate middlemen and empowering farmers to fix their own equipment. The Clean Air Act has long crushed family farmers across America – but under the Trump Administration, they are finally getting the regulatory relief to break free from burdensome Green New Scam rules and focus on the vital job of feeding, clothing, and fueling America and the world.”
The website finally explains what they have done. “EPA’s guidance does not change the law, weaken emission standards, or reduce compliance obligations. Rather, it clarifies what the Clean Air Act already states, that temporary overrides of emission control systems are allowed when it is for the “purpose of repair” to that equipment to obtain proper functionality. This clarification applies to all nonroad diesel engines equipped with advanced emission control technologies including selective catalytic reduction and inducement systems as well as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system repairs. Importantly, farmers and equipment owners are not required to rely on authorized dealers exclusively to fix equipment. This makes clear that the law should not serve as a barrier to timely, affordable maintenance of agricultural equipment.”
That’s clear. What is not clear is why the EPA did not mandate manufacturers of farm equipment to make their data and tools available to local repair shops.
Now enters our dysfunctional Congress.
Congress has returned after the Spring recess, and they have a plate full of things to do. Like:
The debate between the parties will be endless.
Can you imagine the congressional debate on 30 April?
Disagreement between Democrats and the White House will be endless.
Imagine congressional debates over what will get the “non-defense” cuts.
Trump may end the war in 60 days. Or he may not and chaos will result.
The Supreme Court will overrule Congress. One day. Hopefully.
Where does all those Congressional priorities leave the bill that was written long ago in February for the REPAIR Act? If it is enacted by Congress, the Federal Trade Commission would federalize the issue and create a uniform national standard instead of local state requirements.
Or will 242.3 million licensed drivers in the United States continue to have their pockets picked?
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