FTC Settlement with John Deere Empowers Right-to-Repair Movement for Farmers

On Wednesday, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a landmark settlement with John Deere regarding a 2025 lawsuit that accused the company of unlawfully maintaining monopoly power in repair services for its farm equipment. This agreement mandates John Deere to provide farmers and third-party repair shops access to the same repair resources and software capabilities as its official dealers.

Details of the FTC Settlement

The FTC's settlement requires John Deere to enhance access to critical repair services for the next 10 years. This includes allowing farmers to read and reset equipment codes, which has previously been a point of contention. Delayed repairs can lead to significant financial losses during harvest seasons, making timely access crucial for farmers.

“After years of fighting for the right to repair, this order gives farmers real hope,” said Willie Cade, a board member of the repair advocacy organization Repair.org. The FTC will monitor the implementation of these changes to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Impact on Farmers and Repair Advocacy

Farmers have been advocating for better repair options from John Deere for over a decade. The FTC began its more aggressive stance in 2021 under the leadership of then-chair Lina Khan. In a separate class action lawsuit earlier this year, John Deere agreed to a settlement payout of $99 million, but advocates believe this FTC settlement offers more substantial benefits.

“This settlement from the FTC gives farmers more and better options to repair their equipment. It is a win for farmers and all of us who want a more fixable world,” stated Nathan Proctor, director of PIRG’s Right to Repair campaign.

John Deere's Response to the Settlement

In response to the settlement, John Deere asserted that it has always provided robust repair resources to its customers, including service manuals and diagnostic tools. The company emphasized that this agreement aligns with its ongoing commitment to enhancing customer access to repair resources.

Despite the company’s claims, consumer advocacy groups like US PIRG are optimistic that the settlement will lead to meaningful changes. They continue to monitor John Deere's practices to ensure that farmers receive the promised access to repair tools and services.

• Settlement Duration: 10 years
• Previous Lawsuit Payout: $99 million
• Key Advocacy Group: Repair.org
• FTC Chair During Investigation: Lina Khan