Truck owners are being squeezed from both sides as repair costs rise and many independent mechanics remain shut out of the software needed to diagnose issues in newer vehicles.
For owner-operators, that can mean higher bills, longer delays, and less freedom to decide how and where they keep their trucks running.
Here's what to know
As reported by Backfire News, the American Transportation Research Institute found that U.S. truck operating costs set a new high in 2025. The average reached $2.34 per mile, up 3.4% from 2024, while nonfuel operating costs rose 4.2% to $1.85 per mile.
For a truck covering tens of thousands of miles a year (or more), these increases can add up to thousands of dollars in overhead. Repair and maintenance was one of the steepest-rising categories, climbing 8.6% in a single year, while tire costs went up 6.4%, driver benefits increased 6.6%, and tolls rose 13.2%, per Backfire News.
Plus, automakers' use of software locks and restricted diagnostic data has made already expensive repairs even harder to manage.
That dispute has now reached Congress. Backfire News reported that Representative Neal Dunn (R-Florida) introduced H.R. 1566, the REPAIR Act, to stop manufacturers from withholding dealer-level diagnostic information from owners and independent repair shops.
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More background
The issue extends well beyond trucking companies. When repair access is restricted, owners may be pushed to pay higher dealership prices, wait longer for service, or replace equipment sooner than planned, all of which can increase debt and create unnecessary waste.
A labor shortage is also adding pressure. ATRI labor research cited by Backfire News found that nearly two-thirds of diesel repair shops were understaffed in 2025, while almost a fifth of technician roles were unfilled. This means owners may be forced to wait for days for an available service bay, even when they are ready to pay for repairs.
At the policy level, many in the industry are also pushing for stronger right-to-repair protections. Trade groups including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and NATSO have argued that commercial trucks should remain covered by repair-access rules, per Backfire News.
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