Deere Settles Repair Lawsuit for $99 Million

agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services, a deal that still requires final court approval. The Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer, operating as John Deere, faced a 2022 lawsuit alleging it withheld repair software and conspired with authorized dealers to force farmers into using their services for equipment repairs.

Plaintiffs claimed this led to "supracompetitive" prices and an "unlawfully restrained" market. Deere denies wrongdoing but settled to "move forward and remain focused on what matters most — serving our customers," according to Denver Caldwell, vice president of aftermarket and customer support.

The $99 million settlement fund will compensate class members who paid for large agriculture equipment repairs between January 10, 2018, and the preliminary approval date. Additionally, Deere agreed to injunctive relief to enhance repair resource availability and diagnostic checks.

This settlement does not resolve separate litigation from the Federal Trade Commission, which sued Deere in January 2025 for "unfair practices" driving up repair costs and depriving farmers of timely repairs, claims Deere also called baseless. The "right to repair" movement extends beyond farm equipment to sectors like smartphones and video game consoles, prompting legislative action in several states.