Deere & Co Settles 'Right to Repair' Lawsuit for $99M

Farm equipment maker agrees to injunctive relief to improve repair access for customers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a collection of shiny, geometric metal farm equipment parts and tools arranged on a clean, white background with dramatic lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the abstract corporate and legal issues surrounding the right to repair.A settlement over repair restrictions highlights the ongoing tension between manufacturers and consumers over the right to fix their own equipment.Moline Today

Deere & Co., the farm equipment manufacturer, has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the company of monopolizing repair services and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for tractor and equipment repairs. The settlement, which still needs court approval, also includes additional injunctive relief aimed at strengthening the availability of repair resources and diagnostic checks for customers.

Why it matters

The 'right to repair' movement has gained momentum across various industries, with consumers and independent repair shops pushing back against manufacturers' efforts to restrict access to tools, software, and parts needed for repairs. This settlement represents a significant win for farmers and a potential precedent for future 'right to repair' cases against other companies.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in 2022, accused Deere of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs, even when farmers could otherwise fix the equipment themselves or use independent alternatives. The plaintiffs alleged this allowed Deere and its dealers to charge higher, 'supracompetitive' prices and reap benefits from an 'unlawfully restrained' market.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2022.
  • The $99 million settlement was announced on April 8, 2026.

The players

Deere & Co.

The farm equipment manufacturer that does business under the John Deere brand.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The U.S. government agency that sued Deere in January 2025, accusing the company of 'unfair practices that have driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs'.

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What they’re saying

“We are dedicated to supporting our customers' ability and access to the tools, software, and parts needed to repair their equipment.”

— Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support, Deere & Co.

What’s next

The proposed $99 million settlement still needs final approval from the court before it can be finalized.

The takeaway

This settlement represents a significant victory for the 'right to repair' movement, as it forces a major manufacturer like Deere to improve access to repair resources for its customers. It could also set a precedent for future legal challenges against other companies accused of restricting independent repair options.