TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed into law a bill that requires new vehicle manufacturers to send to New Jersey vehicle purchasers or lessees a notice of their warranty rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
New Jersey Senate Bill 1712 passed both the New Jersey House and Senate unanimously, according to the Auto Care Association (ACA), one of many aftermarket associations that supported the bill.
Groups such as the ACA and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) long have sought protection from the actions of OE manufacturers that stipulate that auto service or repair at independent repair shops voids vehicle owners' warranty rights.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law, forbids OE manufacturers from doing this.
"This is another positive step toward educating consumers nationwide on their warranty rights and their ability to get their car serviced at the facility of their choice," Tom Tucker, ACA director, state government affairs, said.
TIA CEO Roy Littlefield III said his association worked closely with the New Jersey Service Station Association toward passage of the bill.
"After our experience in Maryland, where one house passed a Magnuson-Moss bill but another didn't, we think it's phenomenal that this bill passed both houses in New Jersey unanimously," Mr. Littlefield said. "We are very excited about this."
New Jersey is the second state to pass Magnuson-Moss legislation. The first was Connecticut in 2015, Mr. Tucker said.