Filing includes "Right to Repair" grievances
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from Minnesota and Illinois are suing Deere & Co. claiming it engages in “unfair practices” relating to equipment repairs. The recent move by the FTC follows years of advocacy and a formal complaint from National Farmers Union and locals in key agricultural states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The FTC’s complaint alleges that, for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing farmers to instead rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers for necessary repairs. This unfair steering practice has boosted Deere’s multi-billion-dollar profits on agricultural equipment and parts, growing its repair parts business while burdening farmers with higher repair costs, the FTC’s complaint alleges.
“Illegal repair restrictions can be devastating for farmers, who rely on affordable and timely repairs to harvest their crops and earn their income,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “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.”
John Deere swiftly responded with a statement of its own, including: "This lawsuit, filed on the eve of a change in Administration, ignores the Company’s long-standing commitment to customer self-repair and the consistent progress and innovation we have made over time, including the launch of Equipment Mobile in 2023 and the previously announced launch of new capabilities for John Deere Operations Center later this year. The complaint is based on flagrant misrepresentations of the facts and fatally flawed legal theories, and it punishes innovation and procompetitive product design. John Deere will vigorously defend itself against this baseless lawsuit."
The complaint is set to have a motion hearing at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Rockford, Illinois.
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