BOSTON — A federal judge has dismissed a legal challenge brought by auto makers against Massachusetts' right-to-repair law requiring car manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with access to vehicle repair data.
U.S. District Court for Massachusetts Judge Denise Casper dismissed a suit by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) suit challenging the 2020 Massachusetts Data Access Law, but her written decision is still under seal.
The lawsuit was filed shortly after Massachusetts voters passed the law by ballot initiative in the 2020 election.
"Today's decision is a significant victory for Massachusetts voters who overwhelmingly approved the Right to Repair law in 2020," Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said.
"My office fought tirelessly to defend this law and because of our efforts, automakers must ensure that residents can choose where their cars are repaired and independent repair shops can access the data needed for those repairs."
In 2020 the AAI sued in federal court to overturn the ballot measure on constitutional grounds.
The law required vehicles sold in the state, beginning with the 2022 model year, to be equipped with telematics systems that have a standardized, open-access data platform.
It also gives vehicle owners and independent repair shops access to real-time information from the telematics such as crash notifications, remote diagnostics and navigation.
The AAI, representing most major vehicle makers and several suppliers, claimed the law created "impossible compliance obstacles" and "makes personal driving data available to third parties with no safeguards to protect core vehicle functions and consumers' private information or physical safety."
In the complaint, the Alliance asked the court to find the law "unenforceable because it is unconstitutional and because it conflicts with federal laws" and asked the court to "temporarily and permanently enjoin enforcement" of the law.
The Auto Care Association (ACA), which has been advocating for state and federal right-to-repair legislation, considered the ruling a victory.
"This decision by Judge Casper ensures that car owners have the right to access their vehicle's repair and diagnostic data, empowering them to make informed choices about maintenance and repairs," ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey said.
"It levels the playing field, allowing independent repair shops to compete fairly, which in turn drives down costs for consumers. As car owners, we all deserve the freedom to control and manage the data that's generated by our own vehicles. This ruling is a crucial step toward fostering greater transparency, affordability and innovation in the automotive industry for the benefit of all Americans."
The CAR Coalition, a group of aftermarket parts makers, insurance companies and retailers advocating for a national vehicle right-to-repair law, applauded the ruling.
"This is a great win for consumers' right to repair their vehicles," CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said.
"Auto makers spent untold millions in Massachusetts trying to fight what the people there and elsewhere have clearly said: They want the right to repair their vehicles how and where they want, not be forced to automaker-affiliated dealerships, which limit choice and cost more than independent repair shops.
"The next step is to make consumer repair rights universal by enacting a national vehicle right to repair law."
