Right to Repair vs. Safety: U.S. Regulators Clash with Massachusetts

U.S auto safety regulators told nearly two dozen major automakers on Tuesday not to comply with a Massachusetts vehicle telematics law, saying it poses significant safety concerns.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a letter to major automakers they must comply with a federal vehicle safety law and not with a state law that requires open remote access to vehicle telematics and vehicle-generated data.

Because federal conflicts with and therefore preempts the state law, "NHTSA expects vehicle manufacturers to fully comply with their Federal safety obligations."

The 2020 measure seeks to allow independent repair shops to access diagnostic data that newer cars can send directly to dealers and manufacturers to allow consumers to seek repairs outside dealerships.