Subaru buyers in Massachusetts caught in right-to-repair fight over its cars

Brian Hohmann, the owner of Accurate Automotive in Burlington, Mass., attaches a diagnostics scan tool to a vehicle and a laptop computer. The scan tool sends information from the vehicle’s computer to the laptop so a mechanic can view information about the vehicle’s performance. Hohmann said most independent shops are capable of competing with dealerships on repair skills and price as long as they have the information and software access they need. | Steven Senne / AP

Driving a rugged Subaru through snowy weather is a rite of passage for some in New England, a top market for the Japanese automaker.

So it was a surprise to Subaru fans when Massachusetts dealerships started selling its line of 2022 vehicles without a key ingredient: the in-car wireless technology that connects drivers to music, navigation, roadside assistance and crash-avoiding sensors.