In a 10-year settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and five states, John Deere must now give farmers and independent technicians the same repair tools and software as authorized dealers.
What The FTC-John Deere Settlement Means for Farmers
After settling the right-to-repair lawsuit, John Deere will be required to provide farmers and independent repair providers the same resources available to dealers on “fair and reasonable” terms, including:
- Reading, clearing and resetting electronic fault codes.
- Reprogramming of electronic components.
- Restarting a machine following an emissions-related shutdown.
- Viewing and searching technical manuals, troubleshooting solutions, and other guidance/information useful for equipment diagnosis, maintenance, repair or upgrade.
Deere must also make any future repair resources available to farmers and independent repair providers once they are rolled out to more than 50% of its authorized dealer network in the U.S.
John Deere will be subject to strict reporting and oversight for the next 10 years to ensure compliance.
“Today’s 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,” says Daniel Guarnera, FTC Bureau of Competition director. “The settlement with Deere will help lower costs for American farmers.”
Why the FTC Filed the Lawsuit Against John Deere
The lawsuit was originally filed in January 2025 by the FTC, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The joint lawsuit against Deere alleges the company used unlawful practices to limit the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to perform repairs on John Deere farm equipment.
According to the lawsuit, Deere makes the only software repair tools capable of performing all electronic repairs on the company’s equipment. However, those tools have only been made available to the company’s authorized dealers, forcing farmers to rely on authorized dealers for many repairs.
By withholding the ability to repair, the complaint alleges Deere acquired and maintained a monopoly in markets for repair services for Deere farm equipment. It also alleges Deere’s practices led to service delays and higher costs for farmers.
Deere Commits to Flexible Repair Options in New Agreement
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. “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.”
John Deere says it will continue to invest in tools, technology and services that give customers more ways to care for their equipment. The company shares it remains committed to delivering reliable equipment, strong dealer support and practical solutions that help customers stay productive on the field.
“This is good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported,” Caldwell says. “Producers and equipment operators demand flexible and world-class capabilities enabling the maintenance and repair of their machines; we are and will continue to deliver on that expectation.”
