FTC orders Harley Davidson to stop violating customer rights

The manufacturer has been illegally voiding the warranties of customers who repair their hogs.

(You gotta) fight for your right (to repair)

All right, all right, all right to repair. Last summer, the prez signed an executive order covering everything from workers’ contracts to the price of hearing aids. In this order, Biden expressed the importance of the right to repair – the right of the customer to get the stuff they own fixed in the way they want. And not having to buy from scratch all over again.

Biden’s executive order meant that the FTC now had the power to go after manufacturers limiting a consumer’s right to independent repair. And it’s safe to say the FTC has been enjoying its newfound responsibilities – much to Harley Davidson’s despair.

I can Harley believe it

According to the FTC’s recent complaint, Harley Davidson has been illegally voiding warranties because of customer repairs (conducted either by themselves or third parties). Along with the Westinghouse Electric Company, Harley Davidson has violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and threatened the right to repair.

Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, “Consumers deserve choices when it comes to repairing their products, and independent dealers deserve a chance to compete.” Now, both companies must fix their warranties and admit their mistakes to customers.

Speaking with Motherboard, right-to-repair campaigner Nathan Proctor claimed that “45 of 50 appliance companies void warranties for the same reason” and said the FTC’s “actions against Westinghouse and Harley send a clear signal that it’s time to stop violating consumer rights.” Fight for your right to repair, and the FTC will be backing you all the way.