ford jim farley repair comments surfaced after a White House meeting where President Trump described auto executives as opposing owner repairs, a claim that drew broad attention.
Following that meeting Ford CEO Jim Farley gave a brief interview in which he said Ford supports the ability to repair vehicles but that such work must be done at a reasonable cost.
Farley added he does not oppose owners working on their cars generally, but he said warranty work should not be done at home due to safety concerns.
He specifically contrasted his comfort with a 1973 Bronco to his lack of tools and expertise for modern vehicles, saying attempting some repairs at home could put lives at risk.
The president told reporters that automakers "don't want people to fix their car" and suggested federal action, and he mentioned a man jailed after fixing his own vehicle, a claim not tied to a specific known case.
Free Press and other outlets followed up with Ford and published Farley's comments during an event where Ford shared a five million dollar joint investment with Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand a Detroit auto technician program.
Industry Context And Potential Impact
Automakers have cited safety and security risks in arguing for controlled access to vehicle systems, noting modern cars rely on complex electronics and diagnostic tools.
Critics say manufacturers treat diagnostic information and repair procedures as proprietary, and they point to a 2014 memorandum of understanding that pledged to share diagnostic tools and information without creating an enforcement mechanism.
The 2014 memorandum included caveats exempting telematics and immobilizers and allowed manufacturers to refuse to disclose trade secrets, creating potential loopholes in access.
Data mentioned in coverage shows dealer service usage has slipped while independent repair shops have grown, with owner visits to dealer service centers at twenty nine percent, down from thirty three percent eight years earlier, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
The number of independent repair shops rose from two hundred sixty six thousand to three hundred thousand, and one account cited Cox Automotive data showing dealer service revenue fell twelve percent since 2018.
Ford has also launched marketing to steer owners toward dealer service, and other brands offered statements emphasizing owner customization cultures without laying out policy positions.
Advocates and small businesses warn that restricting access would squeeze independent shops and raise costs for owners, while automakers argue technical complexity and cyber risk merit tighter controls.
