US bill targets access to car data as support stays high

Americans appear strongly aligned on one consumer issue: the ability to choose where their vehicles are serviced.

A nationwide survey commissioned by the Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition found that more than 85% support the federal REPAIR Act, which would require carmakers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair businesses with the information and tools needed to fix today’s software driven cars.

The polling lands as lawmakers revisit the proposal on Capitol Hill. In February, a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee dealing with commerce and manufacturing advanced the bill on a voice vote, moving it to the full committee stage and keeping the measure alive for another push.

For many repairs, access is no longer about physical parts alone. Fault codes, sensor readings, security handshakes and calibration routines can determine whether a job is quick and affordable or requires a trip to a franchised dealer. Independent garages say restricted systems reduce competition and can leave drivers with higher bills or longer waits, especially where dealerships are sparse.

Backers argue that a single federal framework would be simpler than a patchwork of state rules, while still allowing manufacturers to charge fair fees for access on reasonable terms. Opponents have cautioned that expanding data availability could introduce privacy and cybersecurity risks if safeguards are weak, and they want assurances that safety critical systems cannot be altered or exploited.

Next, the bill must clear the full House committee before any vote by the wider chamber, with separate action required in the Senate. Whether the REPAIR Act advances may hinge on how convincingly it pairs consumer choice with strong technical protections in an era when vehicle maintenance increasingly depends on software access.