John Deere Right-to-Repair Lawsuit: The Farmers' Settlement

The Repair-Monopoly Claim

As tractors and combines have become rolling computers, fixing them increasingly requires special diagnostic software — and farmers complained that John Deere kept the full version of that software only in the hands of its authorized dealers. That meant a farmer (or an independent mechanic) often could not complete a repair without hauling equipment to a dealership and paying dealer prices, even for problems they could otherwise fix themselves. In January 2025, the Federal Trade Commission and several states sued Deere, alleging it unlawfully monopolized the repair market and drove up costs by restricting access to its repair tools.

The case became a flagship in the broader “right to repair” movement, which argues owners should be able to fix the products they buy.

The Settlement

The litigation produced a settlement requiring Deere — for about ten years and under regulators’ supervision — to give farmers and independent repair providers the same repair resources it provides its own dealers, including the software tools needed to perform electronic repairs. In parallel, Deere resolved related class-action claims brought by equipment owners. The practical result is that farmers should gain far better access to fix their own machines or use the mechanic of their choice, rather than being funneled to dealerships.

The ongoing-obligation structure — sharing tools for years, with oversight — is the meaningful fix, more than any one-time payment.

What Owners Should Know

If you own Deere equipment, you should increasingly be able to obtain diagnostic and repair tools directly, which can save time and money on repairs; check Deere’s owner resources for how to access them. The case is also a milestone for right-to-repair generally — a growing number of states have passed laws requiring manufacturers of everything from farm equipment to phones to make parts, tools and manuals available to owners and independent shops.