FTC Settlement Secures Right to Repair for Farmers

The New York Times’ Emmett Lindner reported that, “for decades, American farmers dealing with malfunctioning John Deere equipment were left with few options for repairs. The company allowed only authorized dealers to make fixes, withholding necessary tools from independent repair shops and individuals, driving up costs and wait times.” “A settlement this week with the Federal Trade Commission will change that,” Lindner reported. “The commission on Wednesday secured a right-to-repair settlement with John Deere as part of a lawsuit filed in January 2025.” “The settlement ‘enables farmers to do what they’ve done for generations — fix their own tractors and other farm equipment — without having to pay an authorized John Deere dealer to do it for them,’ Daniel Guarnera, the director of the F.T.C.’s Bureau of Competition, said in a statement on Wednesday,” Lindner reported. “Under the terms of the settlement, Deere will be subject to additional federal oversight, be required to make available any future repair resources and instruct authorized dealers to promote the availability of the tools,” Lindner reported. 

Deere Must Make Diagnostic, Repair Tools Available

The Associated Press’ Sarah Raza reported that, “the Illinois-based manufacturer has faced complaints for years for withholding the software needed for repairs and forcing customers to use authorized dealers instead of independent ones.” “This marks the second right-to-repair settlement Deere has reached this year, following a separate $99 million class-action settlement with farmers in April,” Raza reported. “Though the class-action compensated consumers, the FTC’s settlement instead requires Deere to make its repair services available to equipment owners and independent shops.” “The FTC and attorneys general from Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin brought the antitrust lawsuit in January 2025, arguing that Deere had illegally restricted farmers and independent shops that might otherwise service them from repairing farm equipment such as tractors,” Raza reported. “Deere also makes engines and equipment for forestry, landscaping and construction.” “Under the order filed in Illinois, Deere will now be required to make diagnostic and repair tools available to equipment owners and independent repair shops, not only its own network of authorized dealers,” Raza reported. “It also prevents Deere dealers from retaliating against equipment owners or repair shops who choose to fix their own equipment instead of paying for Deere’s services. The order is headed to Judge Iain D. Johnston for his approval.”

“Deere must pay $1 million collectively to the five states for antitrust enforcement costs and will be subject to strict compliance oversight for the next 10 years,” Raza reported. AgWeb’s Eduardo Morales reported that, “in a press release, John Deere shares the agreement reinforces its continued innovation toward more flexible repair options, emphasizing increased access and transparency for customers. Deere says the agreement formalizes its commitment to expanding access to diagnostic and repair tools.” “‘We’ve said from the beginning that our focus is on helping customers keep their machines running when and how they need them,’ says Denver Caldwell, vice president of aftermarket and customer support for John Deere,” Morales reported. “‘This agreement bolsters that commitment, and we’re confident it will make a real difference for the people who depend on our equipment every day. We share the Administration’s and the states’ desire to put farmers first while preserving Deere’s ability to support American agricultural productivity, equipment safety and innovation.’”

A Settlement that Belongs to the Farmers

American Ag Network reported that, “‘Farmers Union championed this win from the beginning, and we are happy to see the settlement provide farmers with what they should have had all along: the right to repair their own equipment,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. ‘Today’s action didn’t happen by accident. Farmers across the country refused to stay quiet about this injustice. This settlement belongs to them.’” “‘Every farmer, no matter what state they farm in or what equipment they run, deserves this same right. We will keep fighting for a permanent, nationwide right-to-repair law that guarantees farmers fair and lasting access to the tools, parts and information we need to keep our operations running,’ added Larew,” American Ag Network reported. “‘For too long, Arizona farmers and independent mechanics have been at the mercy of Deere’s monopoly over repair tools, forced to wait — and pay — for authorized dealers just to fix broken tractors and other equipment,’ Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement Wednesday,” Raza reported. 

‘For too long, Arizona farmers and independent mechanics have been at the mercy of Deere’s monopoly over repair tools, forced to wait — and pay — for authorized dealers just to fix broken tractors and other equipment.’