The Federal Trade Commission released a report on Thursday that involves automakers and service departments at franchised dealerships.

In a new report to Congress, the FTC said its analysis identifies numerous types of repair restrictions, such as using adhesives that make parts difficult to replace, limiting the availability of spare parts and making diagnostic software unavailable.

The regulator then stated the report’s findings, including that “there is scant evidence to support manufacturers’ justifications for repair restrictions,” are primarily based on responses to the commission’s requests for public comments and empirical research issued in connection with its July 2019 workshop, “Nixing the Fix: A Workshop on Repair Restrictions.” 

Officials explained the report explores ways of expanding consumers’ repair options and how the FTC could assist in that expansion, consistent with its statutory authority.

In addition, the FTC said that it “stands ready to work with lawmakers, either at the state or federal level, to ensure that consumers have choices when they need to repair products that they purchase and own.”

Officials recapped that Congress directed the FTC to issue the report, noting that it “is aware of the FTC’s ongoing review of how manufacturers — in particular mobile phone and car manufacturers — may limit repairs by consumers and repair shops, and how those limitations may increase costs, limit choice, and impact consumers’ rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.”

Officials added Congress specifically directed the FTC to include recommendations on how to best address these problems.

The FTC voted 4-0 to authorize staff to send the 56-page report to Congress that can be downloaded on this website.

When the report surfaced, the Auto Care Association applauded the FTC’s actions.

“We are pleased that the commission listened to the testimony from our association, as well as the other groups, during the 2019 ‘Nix the Fix’ hearing and took into consideration the information that we submitted to the agency over many years,” Auto Care Association president and chief executive officer Bill Hanvey said in a news release.

“The Auto Care Association is proud of its efforts to secure right to repair legislation both on a state and federal level and we hope that this report will be the beginning of increased efforts by the commission to join us in addressing the anti-competitive actions of vehicle manufacturers,” Hanvey continued.

“We fully support the FTC’s efforts in ensuring that consumers continue to have choices on where they have their vehicle repaired,” he went on to say.