U.S. House 109th CongressH.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act of 2005. Requires a manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold or introduced into commerce in the United States to disclose to the vehicle owner or to a repair facility of the motor vehicle owner's choosing the information necessary to diagnose, service, or repair the vehicle. Sets forth protections for trade secrets. Instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe a uniform methodology for manufacturer disclosure in writing and on the Internet. Prohibits the FTC from prescribing rules that interfere with the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding motor vehicle emissions control diagnostics systems. States that manufacturer noncompliance with this Act constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting commerce within the purview of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Legislative Activity05/03/05: Re-introduced in U.S. House by Joe Barton, R-TX, as H.R. 2048, The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act of 2005 Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce 05/13/05: Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection 06/28/05: Hearing held in Subcommittee on Workforce Empowerment and Government Programs 11/10/05: Hearing held in Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection 05/17/06: Hearing held in Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection 05/25/06: Markup held in Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 – 13. View votes.
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John Kinsey , Kinsey Foreign Auto Repair, said he can’t repair some problems because he doesn’t have access to certain diagnostic information held by manufacturers. He sometimes has to send customers elsewhere for repairs. Several months ago, William Woods co-owner of Crescent Heights Lube Express, realized he could not fix faulty fuel injectors on a Ford model without paying $10,000. He sent the vehicle to the Magic City Ford dealership where he said the equipment and information were available. |
