FTC Secures Landmark Right-to-Repair Settlement with John Deere

The Federal Trade Commission, joined by five states, has secured a landmark settlement with agricultural equipment giant John Deere, compelling the company to provide farmers and independent repair shops with full access to the diagnostic tools and software previously reserved for authorized dealers. This pivotal agreement, announced on July 8, 2026, marks a substantial victory for the burgeoning Right-to-Repair movement after years of persistent advocacy and legal battles.

The antitrust lawsuit, filed in January 2025, alleged that John Deere’s restrictive practices unlawfully limited farmers’ ability to repair their own high-tech machinery, leading to inflated costs and critical service delays during planting and harvesting seasons. Under the terms of the 10-year settlement, John Deere is now required to supply the same repair resources, including essential software capabilities for reading fault codes, reprogramming components, and accessing technical manuals, that it provides to its own dealer network. Furthermore, the agreement prohibits John Deere dealers from retaliating against customers or independent providers who opt for self-repair or third-party services.

This outcome dramatically shifts power back to equipment owners, enabling them to reduce downtime and operational expenses. Daniel Guarnera, FTC Bureau of Competition Director, emphasized that the settlement "will help lower costs for American farmers" and underscored the FTC's commitment to combating anticompetitive repair restrictions. The ruling sets a powerful precedent, signaling to other industries that proprietary control over repair information and tools is increasingly untenable. While John Deere maintains the agreement formalizes its commitment to repair flexibility, it clearly reflects a growing national trend and accelerating legislative pressure for greater repair access across various sectors. This landmark resolution ensures that the ability to fix what you own is not just a principle, but a protected right.