Deere & Co. has crossed a significant milestone in its $99 million right-to-repair settlement, as a federal judge granted preliminary approval and scheduled a final fairness hearing for October 29. The ruling also certified a class action covering individuals and businesses that purchased repairs for large Deere farm equipment from the company or its authorized dealers between January 10, 2018, and the date of preliminary approval.
The settlement marks a pivotal moment for farmers and independent repair shops who have long argued that manufacturers restrict access to diagnostic software, manuals, and tools, forcing repairs through dealer networks. This case, consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, addresses antitrust allegations that Deere limited competition in the repair market.
Under the proposed deal, Deere has agreed to provide repair resources—including digital maintenance, diagnosis, and repair tools—for major farming machines such as tractors, combines, and sugarcane harvesters for a period of 10 years. However, the settlement does not cover compensation for downtime, lost time, parts markups, crop loss, or other damages. Payouts are tied to potential overcharges on repair labor from authorized dealers.
Farmers now face a critical decision window. They may file claims, object to the settlement, or opt out before the September 14 deadline. Attorney Austin Peiffer of Ag & Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha, Iowa, noted that the class may be smaller than typical consumer cases, potentially leading to larger per-member payouts, though exact amounts will be determined later through the court process.
Deere has denied any wrongdoing. Denver Caldwell, vice president for aftermarket and customer support, stated in April that the company remains committed to providing customers and independent service providers with access to repair resources. The settlement aims to resolve the multidistrict litigation pending in Illinois federal court.
While this settlement represents progress, the broader right-to-repair battle continues. Deere is not alone in facing pressure; AGCO, CNH Industrial, and Kubota have also signed repair-access agreements with the American Farm Bureau Federation, collectively covering about 70% of U.S. farm equipment sales, according to AGCO in 2023.
Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general from Illinois and Minnesota filed lawsuits against Deere in 2025, alleging the company blocked farmers and independent shops from repairing its equipment, steering repairs to its own dealer network. The FTC has specifically sought access to Deere's Service ADVISOR system and other dealer-only repair tools.
If final approval is granted, the settlement would trigger a claims process and initiate the 10-year repair-access window. However, practical questions remain about whether the software tools will function effectively in the field, their cost, and how much independence farmers will truly gain from dealer dependence. These issues are unlikely to be fully resolved by the October hearing.
