The 10-year agreement mandates that the manufacturer share software, diagnostic tools, and technical manuals with independent repair providers.
The Federal Trade Commission and five states have reached a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against Deere & Company, ensuring that equipment owners and independent technicians can access the tools necessary for repairs. The agreement resolves allegations that the manufacturer used unlawful practices to limit the ability of independent parties to maintain and fix its machinery.
The settlement requires Deere & Company to provide independent repair providers and owners with the same repair resources, including software capabilities, currently provided to authorized dealers. This requirement will remain in place for 10 years under the supervision of the Federal Trade Commission and the plaintiff states of Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
“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,” says Daniel Guarnera, Federal Trade Commission bureau of competition director, in a release. “The settlement with Deere will help lower costs for American farmers. The FTC will continue fighting against anticompetitive restrictions on American consumers’ right to repair.”
Mandated Access to Software and Tools
According to the lawsuit filed in January 2025, Deere & Company previously made its software repair tools available only to authorized dealers. The complaint alleged that by withholding these capabilities, the company maintained monopoly power in the market for repair services, leading to service delays and higher costs for consumers.
Under the terms of the stipulated order, the company must provide resources on fair and reasonable terms, including:
- Reading, clearing, and resetting electronic fault codes
- Reprogramming electronic components, including the pairing of newly installed parts
- Restarting machines following emissions-related shutdowns
- Accessing technical manuals, troubleshooting solutions, and other guidance for diagnosis or repair
The company is also required to provide any future repair resources once they are available to more than 50% of its authorized dealer network in the US.
Oversight and Compliance
The agreement includes provisions to prevent discrimination against those who opt for independent repair. Deere & Company must instruct its authorized dealers to promote the availability of these resources and support their use. Dealers are prohibited from retaliating against independent repair providers or owners who purchase these resources rather than using dealer services.
The Federal Trade Commission will subject the company to reporting and oversight requirements to ensure compliance. The 10-year term of the order may be extended if the company violates these terms.
The vote to issue the proposed stipulated order was 2-0. The order was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Joining the order as co-plaintiffs are the states of Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
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