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NJ official seeks 'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act'

GasBuddy Blog -- Officially, it's called the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (A-352), a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora. And if it gains momentum, that may help all of us.

The bill is designed to loosen up the vise-like grip that automotive dealers have on repair work for vehicles requiring advanced computer and diagnostic technologies that are integral elements for vehicles. While computers have made cars more reliable and efficient, they have also made them more complicated to diagnose and repair.

As such, consumers are often forced to get their vehicle repaired solely by a manufacturer's car dealer, denying them any choice. Often consumers cannot get their vehicle fixed by the mechanic they might prefer...

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Submitted Aug 06, 2012 By: PD

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RichFWA Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,185 Points:291,795 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:09:26 PM Ignore RichFWA Report Abuse hope this helps.
FedupwithGreed All-Star Author Victoria Posts:707 Points:163,930 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:07:36 PM Ignore FedupwithGreed Report Abuse Control like Apple has be stopped.
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,962 Points:2,081,085 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:02:43 PM Ignore Marson Report Abuse Why not?
LuckyD43 Champion Author Long Island Posts:32,100 Points:2,170,995 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:00:15 PM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse This bill should be enacted in EVERY state throughout this country, although I'm sure that the car dealers and manufacturers associations will lobby very heavily AGAINST it.
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,015 Points:635,420 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:59:58 AM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Old news.
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,131 Points:825,570 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:59:49 AM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse The answer to the question asked by the article, "Is it fair" for car companies to make it so complicated it can only be repaired at a dealer, is YES. I like to get my car repaired at other than dealers too, but if you don't like that a car needs to be repaired at a dealer, then don't buy that car.
yakatz Rookie Author Maryland Posts:14 Points:230,230 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:57:50 AM Ignore yakatz Report Abuse I am in Maryland, but this would set a good precedent. The SRS warning light in my 2007 Camry came on and my regular mechanic said I had to take it to the dealer. The dealer charged me more than $150, and all they did was "re-calibrate" the computer so that it did not think there was a problem. For the record, the problem was an invalid reading from the front passenger occupant-classification-system. They said that there wasn't a problem with any sensor, just the computer received a bad reading for several seconds (potentially due to something/someone pushing on the bottom of the seat).
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:6,445 Points:2,197,670 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:57:34 AM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse Same old same old.
jeskibuff Champion Author Tampa Posts:7,901 Points:1,451,060 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:57:13 AM Ignore jeskibuff Report Abuse AuntJamie said: "i know a guy" That makes two of us! What a coincidence! I wonder if he's the same guy?
DeeLA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,833 Points:1,368,255 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:55:49 AM Ignore DeeLA Report Abuse Old News.
bluetatanka Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:56,376 Points:784,755 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:51:24 AM Ignore bluetatanka Report Abuse I like what you said Stevedog!
FOURXFOUR Champion Author Boston Posts:2,481 Points:1,250,130 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:50:50 AM Ignore FOURXFOUR Report Abuse It's about to pass in Mass, I hope....
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,360 Points:676,040 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:50:41 AM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse More power to the consumer....
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:8,549 Points:1,726,970 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:50:39 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse Good plan on paper.
Algernon Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,190 Points:783,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:43:05 AM Ignore Algernon Report Abuse Good luck with that!
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,123 Points:642,135 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:43:02 AM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse Good article. We know what a bunch of crooks dealer-based repair shops are.
oas Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,245 Points:2,144,340 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:42:29 AM Ignore oas Report Abuse A lot of repair facilities can't afford the special computers required.
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:7,051 Points:1,494,495 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:41:00 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse This is holding the consumer hostage. Car dealers must provide the codes!!!
TheeRedRam Champion Author Hartford Posts:3,178 Points:675,560 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:40:57 AM Ignore TheeRedRam Report Abuse .
wshutton Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,686 Points:928,075 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:38:18 AM Ignore wshutton Report Abuse The pros and cons of advanced technology.
Go_E85 Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,239 Points:175,030 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:35:14 AM Ignore Go_E85 Report Abuse well put divebomber
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:6,093 Points:1,815,200 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:33:23 AM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse HOPE TO SEE MORE OF IT, HOWEVER BIG BUSINESS WILL SQUASH IT WITH LOBBY $$$$$!
Stevedog Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,868 Points:1,948,820 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:31:20 AM Ignore Stevedog Report Abuse not much worse than being forced to visit the circus (car dealers service center that is)
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,032 Points:2,561,810 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:30:46 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse I support this law.
satrn38mpg Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,087 Points:1,056,940 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:28:48 AM Ignore satrn38mpg Report Abuse old news
nozzle46 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:6,705 Points:1,475,000 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:28:02 AM Ignore nozzle46 Report Abuse Good luck. All rackets are hard to break.
Grandkid1 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,285 Points:223,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:25:40 AM Ignore Grandkid1 Report Abuse hmmmmm
craigsf38 Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,728 Points:1,513,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:24:06 AM Ignore craigsf38 Report Abuse OK
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,020 Points:664,790 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:22:58 AM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse I love workin on the old stuff!
Rhino8of8 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,256 Points:377,190 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:21:56 AM Ignore Rhino8of8 Report Abuse I have never been able to do 'repairs' to vehicles, but have friends who have... now they can't.
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:19,770 Points:2,154,505 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:20:12 AM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Average owners can't work on their vehicles anymore, too computerized. How will New Jersey owners know what shop to pick for repairs that won't void their manufacturers warranty? P.S. OLD NEWS again!
blah2blah3 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,621 Points:603,895 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:18:16 AM Ignore blah2blah3 Report Abuse ok
stevencr Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,671 Points:1,437,690 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:17:31 AM Ignore stevencr Report Abuse I more government regulation the answer?
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:6,222 Points:1,310,380 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:16:18 AM Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse Ok
vjs3 Champion Author Denver Posts:2,557 Points:652,840 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:15:16 AM Ignore vjs3 Report Abuse Hmmm, not sure about this...
zaq001 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,995 Points:1,476,000 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:13:19 AM Ignore zaq001 Report Abuse Ahh....this smells like disaster.
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,855 Points:644,455 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:07:24 AM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . The PROBLEM is New Jersey itself! They have some of the stupidest laws in the world in NJ! One can't even pump ones own gas so how would one be allowed to work on ones own car. You are not even allowed to turn left, you are not smart enough to know when its safe to do that, you have to turn right making a loop so you cross over the street at a right angle with a traffic light. And they wonder why traffic can't get out of NY, its because its all backed up by jug handles in NJ!
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:18,078 Points:2,627,035 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:04:21 AM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse "I can go to AAmco, and AutoZone and get car computer checked free of charge." They will give you any diagnostic codes that may be present, and what they mean, but they won't fix them, or likely even tell you everything you need to know to fix them.
GryphonX Champion Author Nevada Posts:6,115 Points:1,591,025 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:02:49 AM Ignore GryphonX Report Abuse I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I actually support this legislation ...
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:8,816 Points:1,613,200 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 11:01:59 AM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse sounds fair
hok Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,370 Points:1,009,070 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 10:11:28 AM Ignore hok Report Abuse √ Music to my ears
smqua Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,692 Points:588,450 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 9:27:00 AM Ignore smqua Report Abuse Yawn
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:56:39 AM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse This is a good idea. the current system hampers small independents and makes repais more expensive.
hallows Champion Author St. Louis Posts:4,713 Points:2,807,545 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:33:08 AM Ignore hallows Report Abuse Old news!
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,500 Points:522,380 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:32:57 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse Most repairs can be made by local mechanics.
DblChek Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,345 Points:616,120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:32:00 AM Ignore DblChek Report Abuse I miss the 70's.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,557 Points:2,839,215 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:29:50 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "The price of a new vehicle makes the dealership very little money." That's probably true, but based on what they give you for a trade-in, they must make a few thousand in profits on the used car traded in.
mightyace Champion Author Tennessee Posts:4,284 Points:847,980 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:28:39 AM Ignore mightyace Report Abuse Maybe it's because I only drive older cars. But, aren't code readers readily available? Heck, I have one that plugs in and sends data real-time via bluetooth to my phone. Are the latest cars that much more complex than my 90s models? My brother, an amateur mechanic, has no problem repairing cars. Are professional mechanics in NJ really that stupid? I don't think so.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,557 Points:2,839,215 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:27:40 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "I can go to AAmco, and AutoZone and get car computer checked free of charge." Thes are well known facts. I suspect the issue is about something beyond this.
chyguy3 Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,855 Points:859,990 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:27:04 AM Ignore chyguy3 Report Abuse The price of a new vehicle makes the dealership very little money. The actual profit comes from repairs and warranty work, as I've been told by several repair shop managers.
peanutsMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,698 Points:388,815 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:24:26 AM Ignore peanutsMN Report Abuse OK
LostAgain2009 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,398 Points:711,685 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 8:24:07 AM Ignore LostAgain2009 Report Abuse This is good. Dealership service departments are nothing more than overpriced parts-swap barns.