Trump Says Ford and GM Asked Him for a Bill to Stop You From Fixing Your Own Car: Here’s What’s Really Going On

You pop the hood, grab your tools, and get ready to fix your own car. Simple, right? That’s how it’s always been.

But what if I told you that two of America’s biggest automakers just asked the President for a bill to make that illegal?

Sounds like something out of a dystopian novel, doesn’t it?

Well, on June 4, 2026, President Donald Trump stood in the Oval Office and dropped a bombshell. He claimed that executives from Ford and General Motors sat across from him and asked for federal legislation that would… wait for it… stop you from repairing your own vehicle.

“They don’t want people to fix their car,” Trump said, seemingly bewildered. He even told a wild story about a man who went to jail for seven years, just for fixing his own ride.

Now, I don’t know about you, but that stopped me in my tracks. We’re talking about a $200 billion auto repair industry. We’re talking about your right to choose who fixes your brakes, your engine, your transmission. And we’re talking about a fight that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Here’s the thing, though: the reality is even more interesting than the headline. In this article, I’m going to walk you through exactly what Trump said, why Ford and GM really want these restrictions, what’s happening in Congress right now, and most importantly,  what this means for your wallet.

What Trump Actually Said

“They don’t want people to fix their car”

The moment happened during an otherwise routine Oval Office event. Trump was supposed to be talking about coal plants. But then he veered, as he often does, into something much more explosive.

“We had the auto industry in yesterday. They don’t want people to fix their car,” Trump said. “I said, ‘That’s strange. I’d never heard of that.’”

He continued: “They have a thing… Nobody’s allowed to fix their car. They want a bill that prohibits people from fixing” their own vehicles.

Trump name-dropped the executives present: GM CEO Mary Barra, Ford senior executive Andrew Frick, and businessman Roger Penske. The White House meeting also included representatives from the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

The seven-year jail story, fact or fiction?

Now, here’s where things get a little hazy. Trump also claimed that “they gave a man seven years in jail actually because he fixed his own car,” adding that he had pardoned that man just last week.

I searched. I really did. The White House website has no record of such a pardon. Neither major automaker has confirmed this story. It’s unclear who Trump was referring to, or whether the story was, shall we say, creatively embellished.

But here’s the thing: even if the jail story isn’t factual, the underlying claim about automakers seeking repair restrictions is very real. Ford confirmed that repair access was discussed at the meeting, though the company declined to share specifics.

Why Automakers Really Want to Restrict DIY Repairs

Okay, so why would Ford and GM push for a bill that limits your ability to fix your own car?

Is it pure greed? Corporate overreach? Or is there actually a reasonable case to be made?

Let’s break it down.

The software lock‑in problem, cars as computers on wheels

Here’s the fundamental truth: your car isn’t just a car anymore.

Modern vehicles are rolling supercomputers. The average new car contains over 100 million lines of code. That’s more than a fighter jet. And that software controls everything, from your engine timing to your braking system to your windshield wipers.

Automakers have discovered something incredibly profitable: if they control the software, they control the repair.

Ford CEO Jim Farley put it this way: Ford vehicles are “very complicated,” and when it comes to warranty work, people should not be doing those repairs themselves. He argued that independent shops don’t have the “specialty tools” required to work on Ford vehicles.

On the surface, that sounds reasonable. But critics say this “complexity argument” is just a fig leaf. What automakers really want is to lock you into their dealership service network, where prices are much higher.

Cybersecurity and safety, valid concern or convenient excuse?

The automakers have another argument, and it’s worth taking seriously.

Industry groups like the Alliance for Automotive Innovation argue that providing unrestricted access to onboard data poses security and safety risks. If the wrong person gets access to your car’s digital systems, they could theoretically disable brakes, track your location, or even take remote control.

That’s not nothing. Cybersecurity concerns are real.

But here’s where the argument gets shaky. A 2025 study of right‑to‑repair opposition found that “security concerns are raised as featureless specters of harm rarely supported by concrete or compelling evidence that reparability risks security”. In plain English: automakers often use cybersecurity as a scary-sounding excuse, not a genuine obstacle.

Aftermarket advocates warn that the window for guaranteed repair access is closing quickly, and that these “security concerns” are increasingly a convenient way to protect lucrative service revenue.

Protecting dealership revenue, the $200B service pie

Let’s be honest about the real elephant in the room: money.

The U.S. auto service market is worth roughly $200 billion annually. That’s a massive pool of revenue. And automakers want as much of it as possible flowing through their dealerships.

Ford has even launched a nationwide marketing campaign to convince owners that dealerships, not independent shops, are the best place to get their cars and trucks fixed.

Think about it this way: if you can only get your car repaired at a Ford or GM dealership, the automaker controls the price, the parts, and the timeline. If independent shops can compete, prices drop, and automaker profits take a hit.

It’s not rocket science. It’s just business. But it’s business that could cost you real money.

The REPAIR Act and Motor Vehicle Modernization Act

So where does Congress stand in all of this?

There are actually two major pieces of legislation at play right now.

What the proposed bills actually do

The REPAIR Act (Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act) is the main event. It would require vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair shops with access to the same diagnostic data, repair information, and tools that dealerships use.

In other words, it would codify your right to choose where you get your car fixed, and your right to fix it yourself if you’re mechanically inclined.

The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, which was approved by a House committee last week, takes a slightly different approach. It would amend existing Repair Act language and codify a 2014 national memorandum of understanding between automakers and independent repair organizations regarding access to vehicle repair and diagnostic information.

Where things stand

The House committee’s approval of the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act is a significant development. It shows momentum for right‑to‑repair legislation at the federal level.

But there’s still a long way to go. The auto dealers’ group (NADA) opposes the legislation, arguing that it would enable aftermarket parts manufacturers to reverse engineer auto parts and produce “knockoffs,” and that it gives insurance companies more power to influence repair decisions.

What each side says

Here’s a quick scorecard:

• Supporters (independent shops, consumer advocates, aftermarket parts makers): “Right‑to‑repair laws protect consumer choice, lower prices, and prevent automakers from creating repair monopolies.” A 2025 national poll found 83% of Americans support the REPAIR Act, including 86% of Trump voters.

• Automakers (Ford, GM, Alliance for Automotive Innovation): “We already provide repair information through voluntary agreements. Mandating broader data access creates security risks and could compromise proprietary technology.”

• Dealerships (NADA): “This would enable knockoff parts and give insurance companies too much control.”

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents nearly all major automakers, notes that 75% of post‑warranty vehicle repair work already happens at independent shops under the voluntary 2014 agreement. So the question is: if that voluntary system is working, why do automakers need restrictive legislation?

How This Fits Trump’s Broader Right‑to‑Repair Record

Here’s something that might surprise you.

This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo on right‑to‑repair. Earlier in 2026, his administration backed farmers’ right to repair tractors and other agricultural equipment, arguing that manufacturers should not use federal regulations to limit access to repair tools and software.

In February 2026, the Trump EPA entered the right‑to‑repair debate with new emissions guidance that effectively strengthened independent repair access. And a bipartisan military right‑to‑repair provision, supported by Trump, the Secretary of War, and the Secretaries of the Army and Navy, has been making its way through Congress.

So Trump has a consistent position: you should be able to fix what you own. Whether it’s a tractor, a tank, or a Ford F-150.

This consistency matters politically because right‑to‑repair isn’t a partisan issue. Remember that poll I mentioned? 86% of Trump voters support the REPAIR Act. That’s not a red or blue issue. That’s a common‑sense American issue.

The Real‑World Impact on Your Wallet

Let’s get down to brass tacks. What does all of this political drama actually mean for your bank account?

Independent shops vs dealership pricing

Here’s the gut‑punch: consumers spend roughly 36% more at manufacturer‑controlled service centers than they do at independent repair shops.

Let me put that in real numbers. If an independent shop quotes you $1,000 for a repair, the dealership might charge you $1,360 for the exact same work. For the exact same parts. For the exact same labor.

Why? Because dealerships have higher overhead, automaker‑mandated pricing, and, most importantly, no competition from independent shops when data access is restricted.

The Australian experience is instructive. After implementing right‑to‑repair reforms, the country saw an estimated $2.4 billion increase in automotive industry turnover annually. That’s money flowing to small businesses and lower prices for consumers.

The $34B forecast

If current restrictions on repair data continue, the financial damage could be staggering. A 2025 analysis found that by 2035, consumers could face additional costs of $34 billion on top of what they should be paying for vehicle repairs.

Think about that: $34 billion. That’s not a typo. That’s billion with a B.

Today, more than 60% of independent repair shops experience weekly (if not daily) difficulties making routine repairs because of data restrictions. Over half of independent shops report sending as many as five vehicles each month to a dealer for repair, vehicles they could have fixed themselves if they had access to the right data.

Every time that happens, you pay more. Every time that happens, the independent shop loses business. Every time that happens, automakers win.

What You Can Do Right Now

Alright, you’ve made it this far. You’re informed. You’re probably a little fired up. So what can you actually do?

Here are five concrete actions you can take today:

1. Support the REPAIR Act

Contact your members of Congress. Tell them you support the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566/S. 1379) and the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act. A quick phone call or email takes five minutes and makes a real difference.

2. Choose independent shops whenever possible

Every dollar you spend at an independent repair shop is a vote for competition and lower prices. Build a relationship with a trusted local mechanic. Ask them about their experience accessing diagnostic data.

3. Document your repair experiences

If you’ve ever been told “we can’t fix that, only the dealer can,” write it down. Share your story on social media. Tag your representatives. Personal stories are incredibly powerful lobbying tools.

4. Learn basic DIY repairs

Even with data restrictions, many basic repairs are still doable. Invest in a good OBD2 scanner (many work with smartphone apps) and learn to read your own diagnostic trouble codes. Knowledge is power.

5. Stay informed

This issue is moving fast. Follow organizations like the CAR Coalition, Auto Care Association, and SEMA for updates. Bookmark this article and check back as the legislation progresses.

Here’s what it all comes down to.

When you buy a car, you should own it. Not just the metal and glass. Not just the leather seats and the touchscreen. Everything. The software. The data. The right to pop the hood and figure things out yourself.

Trump’s Oval Office comments pulled back the curtain on a quiet war that’s been brewing for years. Automakers want to control not just how you drive, but how you repair. They want to turn your car into a subscription service where every fix requires a dealer visit and every dealer visit costs you more.

That’s not how America is supposed to work. We’re a nation of tinkerers, mechanics, and weekend warriors. We fix our own stuff. We take pride in it. We save money doing it.

The REPAIR Act and similar legislation are about protecting that fundamental American value.

The good news? Public opinion is overwhelmingly on your side. Bipartisan support is strong. And now, the President of the United States is talking about it from the Oval Office.

Will that be enough to overcome automaker lobbying? That’s the $34 billion question.

But one thing is certain: the more people who understand what’s at stake, the harder it becomes for automakers to quietly take away your right to repair.

So share this article. Talk to your friends about it. Call your representatives.

And the next time you pop the hood and turn a wrench on your own car, know that you’re not just fixing a vehicle. You’re defending a principle.

You own it. You should be able to fix it.

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Have thoughts on the right‑to‑repair fight? Drop a comment below. And if you found this article helpful, share it with someone who might be overpaying at the dealership.