Agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere has agreed to a landmark right-to-repair settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requiring the company to provide farmers and independent repair shops with access to the tools needed to service its equipment.
The settlement follows an antitrust lawsuit filed in January 2025 by the FTC, joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The agreement is widely seen as a significant victory for the growing right-to-repair movement, which advocates for consumers’ ability to repair products without relying solely on manufacturer-authorized service providers.
Arizona Attorney General Welcomes Decision
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who joined the legal action against Deere & Co., said the settlement would help end years of limited repair options for farmers.
“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,” Mayes said in a statement.
The Illinois-based manufacturer had faced longstanding criticism for restricting access to its diagnostic software, effectively requiring customers to seek repairs through its authorized dealer network.
New Repair Access Requirements
Under the proposed settlement, filed in Illinois, John Deere must make its diagnostic and repair software available to equipment owners and independent repair businesses, not just authorized dealerships. The agreement also prohibits Deere dealers from retaliating against customers or repair shops that choose independent repair services.
The settlement is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston. In addition, Deere has agreed to pay $1 million to the five participating states to cover antitrust enforcement costs and will remain under compliance monitoring for the next 10 years.
Part of a Broader Right-to-Repair Push
The agreement marks Deere’s second major right-to-repair settlement this year. In April, the company reached a separate $99 million class-action settlement with farmers, which focused on consumer compensation. Unlike that agreement, the FTC settlement introduces structural changes by requiring broader access to repair tools and services.
In its complaint, the FTC argued that John Deere provided full-service diagnostic software exclusively to authorized dealers while offering limited versions to equipment owners and independent mechanics. Deere rejected those allegations, maintaining that its repair practices were not anti-competitive and arguing that it does not directly monopolize repair services.
Despite its earlier opposition, John Deere said the settlement aligns with its commitment to supporting independent repair and expanding customer repair options. The company, which also manufactures equipment for construction, forestry and landscaping, described the agreement as a positive step for customers.
The case reflects the growing momentum of the right-to-repair movement, which has gained support across industries as consumers seek greater freedom to repair products ranging from smartphones to heavy machinery without being tied to manufacturer-authorized service networks.
Also Read :- Seaspan and Maersk Expand Partnership to Enhance Fleet Efficiency
