Harley-Davidson Ordered To Honor Right-To-Repair Rules By The FTC

[Rams]

Warranties should not be voided if customers take bikes to independent dealers or install non-factory parts.

On June 23, 2022, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission took a big new step in the right-to-repair battle. The FTC is taking action against Harley-Davidson, as well as MWE Investments, the company that makes Westinghouse outdoor generators, due to what the FTC says are illegal restrictions on customers’ right to repair their products. 

A big part of this complaint is warranty language from both companies that say the warranty is void if customers choose to use independent dealers to either perform repairs or supply parts. According to the warranties as currently written, use of aftermarket parts and taking your bike to any place other than an authorized Harley dealer for service could void the warranty—which the FTC says is illegal.

What happens now? The FTC is ordering both Harley and Westinghouse to fix their warranty language by removing illegal terms that restrict a customer’s right to repair the items they’ve purchased from the company. Another problem the FTC discovered is that Harley, in particular, did not fully disclose all warranty terms within a single document. Instead, it said, customers were asked to contact an authorized dealer for full details—which is a violation of the FTC’s existing Disclosure Rule.

To my knowledge, not a Honda issue but, I'm glad to see this ruling.   It will probably be taken to court to get it enforced but, this is good news for consumers.

Rams

[Robert]

Now if they could get Apple, Mercedes, John Deere and many other manufactures to also tow the line and allow their products to be repaired by the customers or independent dealers.

[Rams]

Now if they could get Apple, Mercedes, John Deere and many other manufactures to also tow the line and allow their products to be repaired by the customers or independent dealers.

This is precisely why I now own a Kubota instead of a John Deere tractor.   JD required my new (while under warranty) tractor in for it's annual service just to maintain the five year JD warranty.  That included oil changes.   Oh yeah, that annual service was gonna cost over $400.00 a year with no guarantee that price wouldn't go up.   That's OK, I like Orange.

Rams

[Serk]

Now if they could get Apple, Mercedes, John Deere and many other manufactures to also tow the line and allow their products to be repaired by the customers or independent dealers.

This is precisely why I now own a Kubota instead of a John Deere tractor.   Was required to take my new (under warranty) tractor in for it's annual service just to maintain the five year warranty.  That included oil changes.   Oh yeah, that annual service was gonna cost over $400.00 a year with no guarantee that price wouldn't go up.   That's OK, I like Orange.

Rams

Yup, Deere is very egregious in this aspect, forcing farmers to become computer hackers... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPYy_g8NzmI

[f6john]

My brother-in-law is a Deere fanatic owning at one time a dozen of various sizes and ages, using each for specific duties, sometimes leaving the specific implements attached to the tractor full time. He currently has two late models that he is experiencing these issues that are costing him some extra money and aggravation but he is steadfast in his loyalty. He claims in close to 50 years he has never lost money on a John Deere, most of which he bought used. The last two new ones may put that claim to the test.

[DIGGER]

Now if we could get the FTC to require dealers HAVE TO service and repair Hondas over 10 years old.....especially if they sold the bike originally to a customer.

[old2soon]

     My Thinkin here the companies will be screaming Proprietary info and such. I believe I'd seen that word used in relation to John Deere equipment. You just KNOW the Large multinational corporations Will be trotting out the LAWYERS! RIDE SAFE.

[MarkT]

John Deere has been egregious on this issue for years - and is the main instigator of the whole "right to repair" issue.  As described here, it seems violations by HD are treading on thin Magnussen-Moss Warranty Act waters.  I also said years ago I will NEVER buy any John Deere products - and so I also own a Kubota diesel mini-tractor.  BTW, Kubota is the inventor of the marque and JD and all the others jumped on the bandwagon when they realized the market they were missing.  Kubota is also rated as the most reliable.  Also is built in Georgia.  Engineered by the Japs; Kubota was established in Osaka in 1890.  I know whose engineering and production practices I like.

Taking my Kubota 12miles to the dealer for adding wheel ballast - and towing my ride home:

[Jess from VA]

I believe that's the only Valk-towed-by-a-tractor picture I've ever seen.   

Nice tractor. 

[DIGGER]

I believe that's the only Valk-towed-by-a-tractor picture I've ever seen.   

Nice tractor. 

Pic needs to be on next yrs calender

[GWS]

I'm dealing with Magnussen-Moss now. I bought a used Ford pickup last October. The dealer said they put new brake pads on, among other things, when they took it in on trade. Two months later, while still under warranty, the brakes needed attention. I took it to my local shop. They said the dealer didn't install the brake pads properly. I had them do the repairs to the tune of $900 because I didn't want to drive a truck with faulty brakes 3 hours to the dealer, and because the shop at the dealership is backed up with too many cars needing repairs and not enough mechanics.  Now the dealer won't reimburse me. Shaping up to be a war of attrition unless I take them to small claims court.
Repair of tractors and cars & trucks is a major profit center for dealerships. They're not going to let go of this without a big fight.

[MarkT]

Repair of tractors and cars & trucks is a major profit center for dealerships. They're not going to let go of this without a big fight.

It turns out reliability of Toyotas has an unexpected side effect.  I found with research online - and experienced myself - Toyota dealers need to sell service contracts for their service department - and the dealership itself - to survive.  Since the vehicles rarely break down & need actual service.  I bought one at first to service my 4Runner.  Then let it lapse after the garage - Liberty Toyota in Colorado Springs - screwed me in a couple ways with unneeded repair which of course wasn't covered in their contract - then allowed my 4runner to be stolen FROM INSIDE THEIR SHOP by their own employee. They had no security or cameras.  They didn't even know it - it was just missing when I went to pick it up.  I expected it to be shipped overseas from Oakland & never see it again.  Got lucky, the cops found it abandoned a week later.  Now I'll take it to my favorite mechanic, Eric who owns Elizabeth Auto Repair for any needed service.  Which has been nothing - no service needed, also putting minimal miles on it.  F Liberty Toyota.

[GWS]

That's messed up. Toyota is a victim of its own success. It's more profitable to build a vehicle that needs regular repairs than one that clicks right along year after year.

My neighbor has a Jeep that's a gold mine for the dealer. It should be self-driving so it could drive itself to the the service department every two months.

[ridingron]

  My neighbor has a Jeep that's a gold mine for the dealer. It should be self-driving so it could drive itself to the service department every two months.   

There are several cars I would love to have bought and driven. But then I do some research and realize unless I'm lucky, it would be back at the dealers constantly.

[scooperhsd]

Hondas (cars) are usually pretty reliable, and my experiance with VW's (2 vehicles) has also been positive. Honda dealers' policy on not working on 10 years and older Motorcycles really gripes me though... and I wouldn't be surprised if the other brands do the same thing.