$1 million and a 10-year compliance regime are part of an FTC and five-state settlement requiring John Deere to let equipment owners and independent shops repair its machines.
The order requires Deere to provide diagnostic and repair tools beyond its authorized dealer network and bars dealers from retaliating against customers or shops that choose independent repairs.
FTC and state attorneys general sued in January 2025, alleging Deere withheld full service software and steered farmers to authorized dealers, raising costs and delaying fixes.
The settlement, filed in Illinois and awaiting Judge Iain D. Johnston's approval, follows Deere's separate $99 million class-action deal with farmers in April.
The case adds momentum to the broader right-to-repair push, which has spread from farm equipment to consumer technology and other products.
Will the Deere ruling finally unlock repair rights for our cars and phones?
With repair rights won, who is now liable when independent fixes go wrong?
Breaking Down John Deere’s $99 Million Settlement: The Right-to-Repair Battle and Its Impact on U.S. Agriculture
Overview
Farmers accused John Deere and its authorized dealers of monopolizing repair services, which led to high prices and limited options for fixing equipment. In response, a class-action antitrust lawsuit was filed in 2022, resulting in a preliminary $99 million settlement that is still awaiting court approval. As part of the agreement, John Deere committed to the financial payout, but farmers must prove they were overcharged using John Deere’s own system—a process that raises concerns about fairness, since John Deere decides who qualifies for compensation. This settlement marks a major step in the ongoing right-to-repair movement, but questions remain about its effectiveness and long-term impact.