Ventilator Repair Challenges Exposed as Manufacturers Pivot Production

New ventilator models are being rushed to market, but fixing existing machines remains difficult.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:02am by

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A minimalist, neon-outlined illustration depicting the internal components of a ventilator, including air intake, mixer, blower, and tubing, against a dark background, conveying the machine's complex yet essential function.The intricate inner workings of a ventilator, rendered in a bold, neon-like style to highlight the machine's vital role in healthcare.San Francisco Today

As the COVID-19 pandemic drove a surge in demand for ventilators, many manufacturers pivoted production to build new machines. However, repairing existing ventilators has proven challenging, with medical equipment makers reluctant to share repair information and manuals. This highlights the need for greater transparency and access to repair resources, especially during times of crisis.

Why it matters

The ability to quickly repair and maintain existing ventilators is crucial for healthcare systems to effectively respond to surges in demand for critical medical equipment. The reluctance of manufacturers to provide repair information limits the flexibility and resilience of the medical supply chain.

The details

While companies like Ford, GM, and Dyson were able to rapidly design and manufacture new ventilator models, the process of repairing existing machines has been hindered by a lack of access to parts, manuals, and technical information. Medical equipment makers have historically guarded this information tightly, making it difficult for hospitals and third-party repair providers to keep ventilators running smoothly. This has led to headlines about broken ventilators sitting idle in federal stockpiles, even as new machines were being rushed into production.

  • In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic drove a surge in demand for ventilators.
  • In March 2020, several medical organizations advised against the practice of sharing ventilators between patients due to safety concerns.
  • Throughout 2020 and 2021, manufacturers pivoted production to build new ventilator models approved for emergency use.
  • In 2022, repair information for existing ventilators remained difficult to obtain, limiting the ability to maintain the medical equipment supply.

The players

Dyson

A British technology company that designed a new ventilator model, the CoVent, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ford

An American automaker that retooled production to manufacture the Model A-E ventilator, which uses air pressure without electricity to maintain lung function.

GM

An American automaker that collaborated with Ventec Life Systems to produce ventilators during the COVID-19 crisis.

iFixit

A website that compiles repair information for various products, including medical equipment like ventilators.

Dr. Matthew Aldrich

The director of critical care at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, who expressed concerns about the need for hospital input on new ventilator models.

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What they’re saying

“I would just hope that a similar process is being done to make sure we are investing our resources in a ventilator that can actually provide care that we need.”

— Dr. Matthew Aldrich, Director of critical care, University of California at San Francisco Medical Center

What’s next

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, healthcare systems and policymakers will need to address the long-term challenges of maintaining and repairing critical medical equipment like ventilators. This may involve pushing for greater transparency and access to repair information from manufacturers, as well as investing in more resilient and flexible supply chains.

The takeaway

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need for a more comprehensive approach to medical equipment maintenance and repair. While manufacturers have demonstrated the ability to rapidly design and produce new ventilators, the lack of access to repair resources for existing machines has limited the flexibility and resilience of the healthcare system. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for preparing for future crises.