Deere & Company (John Deere) Right to Repair Antitrust Litigation
Case Overview
This high-profile antitrust class action accuses Deere & Company — the world's largest agricultural equipment manufacturer — of deliberately restricting farmers' ability to repair their own tractors and machinery. Plaintiffs allege that John Deere uses proprietary software locks and exclusive dealer agreements to prevent independent mechanics and farmers from accessing the diagnostic tools necessary to fix equipment, effectively creating a captive repair monopoly. This conduct allegedly violates Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, causing farmers to pay substantially inflated prices for repairs and maintenance that could otherwise be performed at far lower cost.
The lawsuit gained significant momentum amid a broader national "right to repair" movement and drew public attention in 2022 when John Deere signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation, promising to expand software access — a commitment critics say fell far short of meaningful reform. As of 2024, the litigation is proceeding through discovery, and plaintiffs are seeking class certification on behalf of hundreds of thousands of U.S. farmers. The case has significant policy implications, as the Federal Trade Commission has separately signaled concerns about repair restrictions across multiple industries.
Who May Qualify
U.S. farmers, ranchers, or agricultural equipment owners who purchased or leased John Deere machinery and paid for repair or diagnostic services through authorized John Deere dealerships, generally from 2010 to the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join the John Deere right to repair lawsuit if I'm a farmer?
Yes, if you purchased or leased John Deere equipment and paid for dealer-only repair or diagnostic services, you may be eligible to join. The class is broadly defined to include U.S. farmers and equipment owners who suffered inflated repair costs due to John Deere's alleged software restrictions.
What is John Deere accused of in the antitrust lawsuit?
John Deere is accused of illegally monopolizing the market for repair and diagnostic services on its agricultural equipment by locking essential software behind its exclusive dealer network. Plaintiffs claim this forced farmers to use only authorized dealers for repairs, driving up costs and eliminating competition.
Has the John Deere right to repair case settled?
As of mid-2025, the case has not settled and remains in active litigation. John Deere signed a non-binding agreement with the American Farm Bureau in 2022 to improve software access, but plaintiffs argue this did not adequately resolve their legal claims.