Key Takeaways
- The FTC, alongside Illinois and Minnesota Attorneys General, filed a lawsuit against John Deere for allegedly monopolistic repair practices.
- The complaint accuses Deere of limiting access to repair tools, driving up costs, and disadvantaging farmers and independent repair providers.
- Deere denies the claims, asserting a long-standing commitment to self-repair solutions and labeling the lawsuit as “meritless.”
- Deere recently announced new repair capabilities to expand customer and independent repair technician access by 2025.
What is the FTC’s Complaint Against John Deere?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the Illinois and Minnesota Attorneys General, filed a lawsuit against John Deere, accusing the company of restricting farmers’ access to repair tools for its agricultural equipment.
The complaint alleges that Deere’s practices force farmers to rely on its authorized dealers for repairs, increasing costs and limiting timely repairs. The FTC contends this creates a monopoly in repair services for Deere equipment, resulting in higher prices and limited competition.
“Illegal repair restrictions can be devastating for farmers,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “This action seeks to ensure farmers can repair their own equipment or choose independent providers, lowering costs and promoting fair competition.”
How Does Deere’s Repair System Work?
John Deere equipment relies on a proprietary software tool, Service ADVISOR, which is only available to its authorized dealers. Farmers and independent repair providers have access to a less functional version, Customer Service ADVISOR, which does not support all necessary repairs.
The FTC claims this limited access strengthens Deere’s dominance, forcing reliance on authorized dealers and branded parts, further increasing repair costs.
What is Deere’s Response to the Lawsuit?
John Deere has strongly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “meritless” and claiming it misrepresents the company’s practices.
“It is extremely disappointing that the FTC chose to file this baseless lawsuit,” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support. Caldwell added that Deere has consistently invested in tools and resources to empower customers and independent technicians, citing solutions such as Customer Service ADVISOR™ and the forthcoming integration of new capabilities in the John Deere Operations Center™.
Deere also highlighted ongoing discussions with the FTC regarding repair capabilities, claiming the lawsuit disrupts active negotiations.
What New Repair Capabilities Has Deere Announced?
In a recent announcement, Deere unveiled plans to expand repair tools, including new capabilities for reprogramming electronic controllers. These updates aim to further empower farmers and independent technicians to diagnose and repair equipment efficiently.
The new features will be integrated into the John Deere Operations Center™ and are expected to launch in the U.S. and Canada by the second half of 2025.
“Our goal is to minimize unplanned downtime for customers while enhancing their ability to maintain and repair equipment,” Caldwell said.
What Does the FTC Aim to Achieve?
The FTC’s lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers access to its fully functional Service ADVISOR tool and other repair resources.
The lawsuit represents a broader movement advocating for farmers’ Right to Repair, ensuring equitable access to repair tools and reducing dependency on proprietary systems.
