The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against John Deere, accusing the agricultural equipment giant of employing unfair practices to inflate repair costs for farmers. Alongside the attorneys general of Illinois and Minnesota, the FTC alleges that John Deere has unlawfully restricted farmers from repairing their own equipment, forcing them to rely on the company’s authorized dealers for costly repairs.
FTC Chair Lina Khan emphasized the detrimental impact of these practices on farmers, stating, “Illegal repair restrictions can be devastating for farmers, who rely on affordable and timely repairs to harvest their crops and earn their income. The FTC’s action today seeks to ensure that farmers across America are free to repair their own equipment or use repair shops of their choice—lowering costs, preventing ruinous delays, and promoting fair competition for independent repair shops.”
This lawsuit is a crucial part of the broader right-to-repair movement, which advocates for consumers’ ability to repair their own devices without being tethered to manufacturer-specific services. According to the FTC’s complaint, John Deere’s practices have led to increased repair costs, prolonged repair delays, and a growing dependence on authorized dealers, all of which have severely impacted farmers.
John Deere has responded to the lawsuit, stating that it supports customers’ right to repair and has made efforts to expand access to repair tools and resources. Despite these claims, the FTC and the states involved in the lawsuit argue that more substantial measures are necessary to ensure fair competition and lower repair costs for farmers.
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