Right to Repair: A Long American Tradition — and Why It Matters More Than Ever in 2026 and Beyond

Right to Repair is often discussed as a modern debate about smartphones, laptops, and tractors filled with software. But repair is not a new idea, and the right to fix what you own is not radical. It is deeply rooted in human history, American industry, and consumer protection law.

Today, repair is under threat not because it is unsafe or impractical, but because many companies have built business models around replacement instead of longevity. Understanding the full scope of the Right to Repair movement helps explain why this issue affects nearly every household and why consumers play a critical role in protecting it.

Repair Came Before Industry and Long Before Laws

Repair is as old as civilization itself. Archaeological evidence shows that people in Pompeii repaired worn stone roads with molten iron as early as 79 CE. Roman soldiers used modular armor with interchangeable parts so damaged equipment could be fixed quickly rather than replaced.

That mindset carried into the Industrial Revolution. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, standardized parts transformed both manufacturing and repair. Henry Maudslay's screw-cutting lathe enabled consistent fasteners. American innovators like Eli Whitney and Eli Terry advanced interchangeable parts in muskets and clocks, making repairs faster, cheaper, and accessible outside factories.

Early mass production made repair easier, not harder.

Planned Obsolescence Changed the Relationship Between People and Products

In the early 20th century, companies began shifting away from long-term ownership. Henry Ford famously encouraged repair by providing manuals, toolkits, and interchangeable parts for the Model T. But by the 1920s, automakers like General Motors introduced frequent model changes and increasingly complex designs.

That shift did not eliminate repair overnight, but it slowly reframed it as inconvenient, specialized, or something only manufacturers should control. This same pattern would later reappear in electronics, agriculture, and heavy equipment.

Automotive Repair Started the Modern Right to Repair Movement

Long before smartphones were sealed shut, the automotive industry exposed the dangers of restricted repair.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, California proposed limiting access to vehicle On-Board Diagnostics systems to dealership-approved technicians. Independent repair shops would have been locked out of modern vehicle repair.

The aftermarket industry pushed back. Organizations like the Auto Care Association helped pass California's Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (SB 1146). This law established a key principle that still defines the movement today: manufacturers should not have exclusive control over repair information.

That fight continued nationally. In 2014, automakers agreed to provide independent shops access to diagnostic data, but enforcement remained limited. As vehicles became increasingly software-defined and began transmitting data wirelessly, new restrictions emerged. This led to ongoing efforts like the federal REPAIR Act, which seeks to guarantee fair access to vehicle data, tools, and diagnostics.

Digital Repair Is the New Front Line

Consumer electronics now follow the same playbook.

Modern phones, laptops, tablets, and wearables rely on software locks, serialized parts, proprietary tools, and restricted manuals. Many devices are labeled "unrepairable" even when the fix is straightforward.

Consumers are often told repairs are impossible by the same companies that sold them the device. Corporate stores, wireless carriers, and electronics retailers are not in the repair business. They are in the business of selling upgrades, replacements, and protection plans.

When they say something cannot be fixed, what they usually mean is that they do not fix it.

Independent repair shops exist for the opposite reason. Their business depends on diagnosing problems, sourcing parts, and extending the life of devices. These shops are deeply rooted in local communities and provide a level of honesty and technical skill that sales-driven retailers simply do not offer.

Other Industries Fighting for the Right to Repair

Right to Repair is not just about phones and laptops. The same conflicts appear across multiple sectors:

The pattern is consistent. As products become more computerized, manufacturers attempt to centralize repair. Right to Repair seeks to rebalance that power.

Laws Consumers Already Have, but Rarely Use

Many people do not realize they already have important legal protections.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

This federal law, passed in 1975, makes it illegal for manufacturers to void your warranty simply because you used an independent repair shop or installed third-party parts. Unless the manufacturer provides repairs for free, they cannot require you to use their service to keep your warranty valid.

The FTC's "Nixing the Fix" Report

In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission released a major report to Congress titled Nixing the Fix. The report documented widespread repair restrictions, including limited access to tools, parts, manuals, and software. It concluded that many of these barriers harm consumers, inflate prices, and reduce competition.

The FTC recommended stronger enforcement of existing laws and support for Right to Repair legislation to address digital and software-based restrictions.

Where Right to Repair Laws Stand Today

Right to Repair has gained real momentum at the state level.

Several states have passed consumer electronics Right to Repair laws, including New York, California, Oregon, Minnesota, Washington, and Colorado. These laws require manufacturers to provide independent repair access to parts, tools, manuals, and diagnostic information on fair terms.

Oregon's law is especially notable for limiting parts pairing practices that prevent replacement components from working without manufacturer approval.

Massachusetts continues to lead on automotive repair, while Colorado has passed agricultural repair protections. Nearly every state has introduced Right to Repair legislation in some form, showing just how widespread this issue has become.

How Consumers Can Get Involved in 2026 and Beyond

Right to Repair only succeeds if consumers stay engaged.

Repair Is Not Anti-Innovation. It Is Pro-Ownership.

Repair is not about resisting progress. It is about preserving ownership, choice, and community skills in a digital world.

For most of history, repair was assumed. The Right to Repair movement simply asks that we carry that tradition forward instead of abandoning it.

In 2026 and beyond, consumers have a real opportunity to shape the future of repair. Supporting independent repair, advocating for fair laws, and understanding your rights helps ensure that ownership still means something.