Is John Deere changing its tune on right to repair?

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Deere & Company settled another right-to-repair lawsuit on July 8, agreeing to provide farmers and third parties with resources and software to help them repair and upgrade machines. Per the settlement, farmers and third parties will have access to resources to clear, read, and reset electronic fault codes; reconfigure electronic components; restart machines after an emissions-associated shutdown (i.e., limp mode); and information on how to diagnose, repair, or upgrade equipment, the FTC stated in a press release . Additionally, Deere is required to supply farmers and third parties “any future repair resources that are similar or reasonably necessary for repairs,” after the OEM makes the resources available to over 50% of its dealers, the FTC said. The settlement will be supervised by the FTC and the plaintiff states for the next 10 years. The FTC and the states of Illinois and Minnesota filed a joint lawsuit on Jan. 15, 2025, alleging the OEM prevented farmers and third-party service providers from repairing equipment by monopolizing the software needed for electronic repairs. The lawsuit was amended on Feb. 7, 2025, to include additional plaintiffs — Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin — while maintaining the same core allegation. Deere welcomed the settlement and what it means for its customers. “This is good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported,” Denver Caldwell, VP of aftermarket and customer support for Deere, said in a press release . “We’ve said from the beginning that our focus is on helping customers keep their machines running when and how they need them. 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,” Caldwell elaborated. Previously, Deere criticized the lawsuit for being filed on the eve of a new administration and ignoring the company’s “long-standing commitment to customer self-repair,” as stated in a press release when the lawsuit was initially filed. Deere was in “active negotiations over a potential resolution to the investigation when the FTC filed the lawsuit,” the company said. “It is extremely disappointing that three commissioners of the FTC chose to file a meritless lawsuit on the eve of the transition to a new administration. Our recent discussions with the Commission have revealed that the agency still lacked basic information about the industry and John Deere’s business practices and confirmed that the agency was instead relying on inaccurate information and assumptions,” Caldwell said at the time. Earlier this year, Deere settled a right-to-repair lawsuit, agreeing to pay $99 million and admitting no wrongdoing, as AgNavigator reported .

Is John Deere changing its tune on right to repair?

John Deere settles another right-to-repair lawsuit — this time with the FTC and five states

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John Deere to pay $99m in right-to-repair settlement, amid ongoing FTC litigation