John Deere agrees to settlement expanding tractor repair access
A new Federal Trade Commission settlement requires John Deere to provide repair tools and software to farmers and independent mechanics, potentially altering the agricultural equipment aftermarket.
John Deere has reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state attorneys general that will require the agricultural equipment manufacturer to provide access to diagnostic software, repair manuals, and other necessary tools to farmers and independent repair shops.
The agreement, announced Wednesday, aims to loosen the company's control over the aftermarket for its high-tech tractors and other farm machinery. This is expected to give farmers and independent mechanics more options for repairing equipment, potentially lowering costs and reducing downtime.
The FTC and attorneys general from Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin announced the proposed order, which still requires approval from U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston. The FTC had sued Deere in January 2025, alleging the company illegally restricted access to repair resources, leading to higher costs and delays for farmers.
Deere has denied wrongdoing, stating that the settlement formalizes and reinforces measures the company has already implemented to expand access to repair tools. A Deere spokesperson indicated that many of the commitments in the agreement are already available to customers.
This development is a significant win for the "Right to Repair" movement, which advocates for consumers' ability to fix their own products. The settlement could set a precedent for how manufacturers in other technology-dependent sectors handle repair access.