Massachusetts Right to Repair Law Reshapes Auto Industry — Maine Follows, Federal Bill Next

Massachusetts voters didn't just support the Right to Repair law in 2020. They crushed it. The ballot measure passed with 75% approval, forcing automakers to open access to vehicle data that had been locked behind proprietary systems. Three years later, Maine followed with 84% voter support. Now federal legislation is moving through Congress, and the auto industry's control over repair data is crumbling.

The fight is about who owns the data your car generates. Modern vehicles transmit diagnostic information wirelessly to manufacturers through telematics systems. That data can identify problems, predict maintenance needs, and enable remote repairs. But manufacturers have kept that data locked down, forcing car owners to use dealerships for service or pay manufacturers for access to their own vehicle's information.

What the Law Actually Requires

The Massachusetts law, passed in November 2020, requires automakers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops access to mechanical data transmitted wirelessly from vehicles. The data must be accessible through a "mobile-based application" using a "standardized, interoperable platform."

Translation: if your car sends diagnostic data to the manufacturer, you should be able to access that same data through an app on your phone and share it with any mechanic you choose. Not just dealerships. Any shop.

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Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, explained the stakes:

"For collision and autobody shops, the stakes are practical: as vehicles become more software-driven and connected, manufacturers increasingly control the data needed for diagnostics, calibrations, and repairs. Right-to-repair policies aim to ensure independent shops can continue to perform the full scope of repairs without being forced to rely on manufacturer-controlled channels."

The law covers 270,000 independent service outlets and 900,000 technicians who service over 285 million vehicles on American roads. Without access to vehicle data, these shops can't compete with dealerships that get data directly from manufacturers.

Automakers Fought Back — And Lost

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a manufacturer trade association, immediately challenged the law in federal court. The alliance argued the law conflicted with federal motor vehicle safety requirements and would create security vulnerabilities.

In February 2025, a Massachusetts federal district court rejected the challenge. The judge ruled the trade association lacked standing and that the law wasn't preempted by federal safety regulations. Automakers appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in July 2025, with a decision expected in 2026.

Meanwhile, some manufacturers responded by simply disabling telematics systems on vehicles sold in Massachusetts. If the car doesn't transmit data wirelessly, the law doesn't apply. It's a workaround that avoids compliance while also depriving Massachusetts buyers of features available everywhere else.

Why This Matters Beyond Massachusetts

Maine passed nearly identical legislation in 2023, with 84% voter approval, and the law took effect January 2025. Wisconsin is considering similar bills (A.B. 135 and S.B. 129) in the 2025-2026 legislative session. The momentum is building.

Ian Musselman, senior vice president of external affairs at LKQ Corporation, emphasized the urgency:

"The need for federal auto repair protections has never been stronger. Numerous state proposals seek to limit the use of aftermarket parts; repair choice remains tied up in costly automaker litigation; and some have discussed a federal proposal to limit repair options and accessibility even further."

The problem with state-by-state solutions is complexity. Automakers don't want to build different systems for different states. A federal standard would clarify requirements nationwide, which is why Congress introduced the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566/S. 1379) in early 2025.

What the Federal Bill Would Do

The REPAIR Act mirrors the Massachusetts law but applies nationally. It would prohibit automakers from using technological or legal barriers that prevent vehicle owners from accessing their own data. If manufacturers use wireless telematics, they must make that data available through a standardized platform.

The bill would require the Federal Trade Commission to designate an independent entity to establish and administer the standardized access platform within two years of enactment. Automakers would then have one year to comply, meaning the system could be operational within three years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would establish security standards to protect data and vehicles from hacking. The FTC would also create a "Fair Competition After Vehicles are Sold Advisory Committee" to monitor barriers to vehicle repair.

The Data Privacy Question

Here's the uncomfortable part: modern cars collect massive amounts of data about where you drive, how fast you go, when you brake, and who you're calling through the car's hands-free system. Manufacturers collect terabytes of data from vehicles, often without explicit driver knowledge or consent.

By 2030, approximately 95% of new vehicles sold globally will have wireless connectivity, according to McKinsey research. That means nearly every car on the road will be transmitting data somewhere. The question is whether you control that data or the manufacturer does.

Paul Roberts, head of the security group Securepairs.org, framed the Massachusetts vote this way:

"Massachusetts voters have once again chosen facts over FUD—fear, uncertainty and doubt. The beneficiaries are vehicle owners, who will continue to enjoy the same access to the critical repair and maintenance data as automotive dealers use to repair and service their own vehicles."

What Happens Next

The First Circuit Court of Appeals will likely rule on Massachusetts's law in 2026. If the court upholds the law, it sets a precedent that other states can follow. If the court strikes it down, the fight moves entirely to Congress and the REPAIR Act.

Wisconsin's bills are moving through the 2025-2026 legislative session. More states are watching closely. Every state that passes a right-to-repair law increases pressure on automakers to accept a federal solution rather than navigate 50 different regulations.

For consumers, the impact is straightforward: more repair choices, lower costs, and the ability to take your car to any qualified mechanic instead of being locked into dealership service. For independent repair shops, it's survival. Without access to vehicle data, they can't diagnose modern cars, and they lose business to dealerships.

The auto industry is at a turning point. Either manufacturers accept that vehicle owners have rights to their own data, or courts and legislatures will force the issue. Massachusetts and Maine showed overwhelming public support. Federal action looks increasingly likely. The only question is how long automakers will keep fighting a battle they're clearly losing.