On the Dash:
- The settlement could become a blueprint for future right-to-repair enforcement in other industries, including automotive.
- Manufacturers may face increasing pressure to provide independent repair shops with broader access to diagnostic software and repair tools.
- Dealers should monitor future FTC actions as right-to-repair debates continue to evolve across transportation sectors.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states have reached a settlement with Deere & Co. that requires the farm equipment manufacturer to expand access to repair tools and software for farmers and independent repair providers.
The 10-year agreement resolves an antitrust lawsuit filed in January 2025 alleging Deere unlawfully restricted access to critical repair resources.
Under the settlement, Deere must give farmers and independent repair shops the same repair capabilities its authorized dealers currently use. However, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois must still approve the agreement before it takes effect.
What the settlement requires
Deere will offer electronic diagnostic and repair software on fair and reasonable terms. Farmers and independent repair providers will gain access to tools that can:
- Read, clear and reset fault codes
- Reprogram and pair electronic components
- Restart equipment following emissions-related shutdowns
- Access technical manuals, troubleshooting guides and repair information
Deere must also extend future repair tools to farmers and independent shops as soon as it makes them available to its dealer network. The settlement further requires Deere to instruct its authorized dealers not to retaliate against or discriminate against customers who choose independent repair services. Dealers must actively promote the availability of these newly accessible repair resources.
The FTC argued that Deere’s prior practices forced farmers to rely on authorized dealers for numerous repairs, driving up costs and causing service delays during critical planting and harvest seasons. FTC officials said expanding repair access would lower costs and improve equipment uptime for farmers.
The FTC will oversee Deere for the next decade and require it to meet specific reporting obligations. If Deere violates the terms of the agreement, the FTC could extend the settlement.
