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Agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere has agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states over allegations that it restricted farmers’ ability to repair their own tractors.
The lawsuit, filed in 2025 by the FTC alongside the attorneys general of Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, accused the company of monopolising the tractor repair market by withholding proprietary software tools needed to diagnose and repair its equipment.
According to the complaint, modern John Deere tractors rely on electronic control units (ECUs), making software access essential for many repairs.
While farmers and independent mechanics have traditionally serviced farm equipment, the plaintiffs argued that the company’s software restrictions forced customers to rely on authorised dealers, increasing repair costs and causing delays during critical planting and harvest periods.
Under the settlement, John Deere will provide farmers and independent repair shops with the same repair tools, software capabilities and resources currently available to its authorised dealer network. However, the company did not admit to violating antitrust laws as part of the agreement.
John Deere said the settlement formalises efforts it has already been making to improve customer access to repair information while maintaining equipment safety and innovation. The agreement also establishes regulatory oversight to monitor the company’s compliance.
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The settlement further requires authorised dealers to notify customers about the newly available repair resources. The order will remain in effect for 10 years, with the possibility of an extension if the company fails to comply.
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera said the agreement restores farmers’ long-standing ability to repair their own equipment, lowers repair costs and strengthens consumers’ right to repair.
