Deere & Co Agrees to $99 Million 'Right to Repair' Settlement

The farm equipment maker faces ongoing FTC lawsuit over repair restrictions.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:19pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio photograph of a polished metallic tractor part or component, floating against a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to convey a sense of corporate strategy and market dynamics.A settlement in the 'right to repair' lawsuit against Deere & Co. could set a precedent for greater transparency and competition in the agricultural equipment market.NYC Today

Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of monopolizing repair services for its farm equipment. The proposed settlement, which still needs court approval, would resolve claims that Deere conspired with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs, rather than allowing them to fix tractors and other equipment themselves or use independent alternatives.

Why it matters

The 'right to repair' movement has gained momentum in recent years, with advocates arguing that manufacturers across industries have unfairly limited consumers' ability to fix their own products. This settlement is the latest development in the ongoing debate over repair restrictions, which have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators.

The details

Under the proposed agreement, the $99 million settlement fund would go to class members who paid Deere or its authorized dealers for large agriculture equipment repairs between January 2018 and the date of the deal's preliminary approval. Deere also agreed to additional injunctive relief aimed at strengthening the availability of repair resources and diagnostic checks. However, the company continues to face a separate lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission, which accused Deere of 'unfair practices that have driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs.'

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2022.
  • The proposed settlement was announced on April 7, 2026.

The players

Deere & Co.

A major 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 repair practices.

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What they’re saying

“We're dedicated to supporting customers' ability and access needed to repair their equipment.”

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

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This settlement represents a significant development in the ongoing 'right to repair' debate, as manufacturers face increasing pressure to provide consumers and independent repair shops with greater access to the tools and information needed to fix their own products. However, the FTC's separate lawsuit against Deere suggests that repair restrictions remain a contentious issue that is likely to continue playing out in the courts and legislatures.