Article Summary
EPA issues 'Freedom to Fix' directive to vehicle industry
- EPA's 'Freedom to Fix' Guidance: The EPA issued immediate guidance Wednesday requiring vehicle manufacturers to provide diagnostic and repair info to independent shops and owners.
- Scope & System Focus: Applicable to light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the directive specifically guarantees access to tools and data for repairing Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and emissions systems.
- Required Manufacturer Deliverables: Under the Clean Air Act, manufacturers must provide full emissions-related service info, OBD data, training materials and proprietary tools on reasonable terms.
The ‘Freedom to Fix’ guidance, issued in response to President Trump’s recent Memorandum Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix, directly addresses concerns raised by independent repair shops, farmers, truckers and other equipment operators who face unnecessary delays, costs and safety risks due to restrictive repair practices, EPA states.
The agency states the action does not change the law, weaken emission standards or reduce compliance obligations, but does supports economic productivity, reduces vehicle downtime and ensures emissions standards are met in real-world conditions without imposing unnecessary burdens.
The directive also builds on EPA’s February 2026 guidance advancing operators’ ability to fix their non-road diesel equipment and the agency’s actions to address nationwide concerns for American drivers, truckers, farmers and equipment operators regarding DEF.
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“Within 30 days of issuing his Presidential Memorandum, President Trump wanted EPA to act,” says Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator. “We have operated at Trump speed and provided relief to American operators within just two days. The freedom to fix allows operators to fix broken machinery easier and faster. Today’s action builds on the great work the Trump Administration has accomplished to lower costs for hard-working Americans.”
The regulation is effective immediately, but not a legalization of the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566) introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and currently under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The new guidance covers light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, EPA states, and specifically addresses access to tools and data needed to fix Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and other emissions control systems.
Under the regulation, the EPA states manufacturers must provide:
- Full emissions-related service information
- Training materials
- OBD data and enhanced diagnostics
- Passthrough reprogramming information
- Manufacturer-specific tools for purchase
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The new guidance also supports consumer protection rules within the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA states the CAA “clearly states that temporary overrides of emission control systems are allowed when it is for the ‘purpose of repair’ to that equipment to obtain proper functionality.”
The directive states manufacturers have a long-standing legal obligation to release the service information, training information and tools necessary to diagnose and repair vehicles, including faulty DEF systems, on reasonable terms. It also notes manufacturers cannot require the use of only their own branded parts when fixing emission control systems, but adds “if a consumer chooses to use a non-certified part, the CAA does not guarantee warranty relief.”
The ‘Freedom to Fix’ guidance can be found HERE.
