The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has introduced a new tool to help shop owners and technicians report barriers to vehicle repair.
The TIA has updated its website with a Right to Repair – Report Your Issue form, designed to empower industry professionals to report instances where they face obstacles in diagnosing or repairing vehicles. This tool aims to gather critical data to protect the right to repair for all.
With increasing reports of automakers restricting access to both wired (OBD-II) and wireless (telematics) diagnostic and repair information, TIA wants to document the real-world impacts of these restrictions on businesses, consumers and the broader economy.
“We hear about the growing frustration from shop owners and technicians who are unable to repair vehicles due to lack of access to essential tools, codes or data,” said TIA CEO Dick Gust. “This online tool will help us compile the evidence needed to advocate for a fair and transparent repair environment.”
The form collects key information about repair challenges, including vehicle specifics such as make, model, and year, details of the maintenance attempt, barriers encountered and the current status of the vehicle. TIA noted that all submissions will remain confidential, and no identifying personal or business information will be disclosed when case studies are presented.
By sharing their experiences, shop owners and technicians can directly contribute to legislative efforts aimed at ensuring fair access to diagnostic and repair information for all independent repair facilities, the group said.
“If we don’t document these challenges, it will be impossible to build the case for protecting our right to repair,” said Roy Littlefield IV, TIA’s vice president of government affairs. “The form allows responses to be anonymous, giving everyone in the industry the opportunity to be heard without concerns of repercussion.”
Image credit: Depositphotos.com
Leave a Reply