Explainer: What is Right to Repair that Trump is fighting for with auto makers tooth and nail

You buy a car, pay the full price, drive it home and consider it your property. But what happens when a sensor fails, software malfunctions or a component needs replacement? Can you take it to any mechanic of your choice, or does the manufacturer still control how, where and by whom it gets repaired?

That question lies at the heart of the growing “Right to Repair” movement, a battle that has evolved into one of the most significant consumer rights debates in the United States. The issue has drawn lawmakers, repair businesses, manufacturers and now even US President Donald Trump into a fierce confrontation over who truly owns a product after it is sold.

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Notably, the US auto service market is worth about $200 billion annually.

What is the Right to Repair?

The Right to Repair is a legal and policy framework aimed at ensuring that consumers and independent repair businesses can access the tools, parts, software and technical information needed to fix products they own.

Supporters argue that ownership should include the freedom to repair, modify or maintain a product without being forced to return to the original manufacturer or its authorised service network.

The concept applies across a wide range of products, including automobiles, smartphones, laptops, agricultural machinery, medical devices and electronic equipment.

Why has it become a major issue?

Modern vehicles increasingly rely on software, digital controls and proprietary diagnostic systems.

Independent repair shops often argue that while they possess the technical expertise to repair vehicles, they are denied access to critical software tools, repair codes, calibration systems and diagnostic data required to complete the work.

Critics of current industry practices say this can leave consumers with fewer choices and potentially higher repair costs. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, access to data has become just as important as access to physical spare parts.

One of the biggest points of contention involves access to information generated by vehicles.

Several lawmakers and consumer groups contend that manufacturers retain significant control over repair-related data, limiting the ability of independent mechanics to diagnose and service modern cars.

Proposed legislation seeks to ensure that vehicle owners can access and share repair-related information with independent service providers, including data linked to diagnostics, calibration, software updates and system repairs.

Supporters believe such measures would create a more competitive repair market and reduce dependence on manufacturer-controlled service centres.

Why Donald Trump entered the debate

The issue recently gained fresh political attention after Donald Trump held discussions with senior automobile industry executives and representatives of dealer associations and industry groups. Trump met GM CEO Mary Barra, Ford Motor (FN), senior executive Andrew Frick and ‌top officials with the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation along with Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, a former auto dealer.

During his remarks, Trump openly questioned why consumers should face restrictions when repairing vehicles they own, highlighting concerns that manufacturers continue to exercise excessive control over repairs.

“We had the auto industry in yesterday. They don’t want people ⁠to fix their car. I said ‘That’s strange!'” Trump said. “They have a thing; nobody’s allowed ​to fix their car.”

His intervention has brought renewed focus to a debate that extends far beyond automobiles and touches on broader questions of ownership, competition and consumer rights.

Why automakers are resisting

Automobile manufacturers and dealer groups have raised concerns about broader access to vehicle systems and data.

Industry representatives argue that unrestricted access could create cybersecurity risks, compromise safety systems and expose proprietary technologies.

Some dealer organisations have also warned that expanded repair rights could enable third-party manufacturers to replicate original components and flood the market with imitation products.

They further argue that insurers and aftermarket suppliers could gain greater influence over repair decisions.

Existing agreements versus new laws

Automakers point out that repair information is already available through industry agreements that allow independent repair facilities access to many repair resources.

Industry groups have stated that a substantial share of vehicle repairs already takes place outside authorised dealership networks.

However, repair advocates and several lawmakers maintain that voluntary arrangements are not sufficient and should be backed by enforceable legislation.

They argue that legal guarantees are necessary to ensure long-term access to essential repair information as vehicles become increasingly software-driven.

A growing national movement

The Right to Repair movement has gathered momentum across the United States, with multiple states introducing or adopting laws designed to expand repair access.

What began as a niche consumer issue has transformed into a nationwide policy debate involving billions of dollars in repair business, technology access and market competition.

For supporters, the principle is simple: if consumers own a product, they should also have the freedom to fix it.

For manufacturers, the challenge lies in balancing repair access with safety, intellectual property protection and cybersecurity concerns.

As vehicles become increasingly connected and software-dependent, the fight over repair rights is likely to become even more intense in the years ahead.