WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deere & Co. must give farmers and independent mechanics access to the same software and repair resources available to authorized dealers under a 10-year antitrust settlement designed to lower equipment repair costs and reduce service delays.
The Federal Trade Commission reached the agreement with Deere alongside Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, resolving a January 2025 lawsuit that accused the farm equipment manufacturer of unlawfully restricting repairs to its dealer network.
The settlement requires Deere to make diagnostic software, electronic repair functions, technical manuals and troubleshooting information available to farmers and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms.
Those resources must allow users to read, clear and reset electronic fault codes; reprogram components; pair replacement electronic parts with machinery; and restart equipment following emissions-related shutdowns commonly known as limp mode.
Deere must also provide access to technical manuals, product improvement programs, diagnostic guidance and other information needed to maintain, repair or upgrade its equipment.
The FTC alleged Deere had reserved the only software capable of completing all electronic repairs on its machinery for authorized dealers. That restriction forced farmers to rely on dealers for many repairs, contributing to higher costs and longer equipment downtime, according to the complaint.
“Today’s settlement enables farmers to do what they’ve done for generations—fix their own tractors and other farm equipment—without having to pay an authorized John Deere dealer to do it for them,” FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera stated.
The order also covers future repair resources. Deere must provide farmers and independent repair businesses with new tools once they become available to more than half of the company’s authorized U.S. dealers.
Deere must instruct dealers to promote the availability of the repair resources, support their use and refrain from discriminating or retaliating against customers or mechanics who choose independent repairs.
The company must also notify farmers, independent repair providers, dealers and the public about the settlement and the repair resources available under it.
The FTC and participating states will supervise Deere’s compliance through reporting and oversight requirements. The 10-year order may be extended if the company violates its terms.
The FTC approved the proposed order by a 2-0 vote. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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