John Deere has agreed to a $99 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging the company monopolized the repair market for its large agricultural equipment. The landmark agreement, announced on April 9, 2026, also requires Deere to provide digital diagnostic and repair tools to farmers for the next 10 years.
Status: Preliminary Approval Pending | Claim Site Coming Soon
What Is This Case About?
The class action alleged that John Deere used software locks and proprietary diagnostic tools to force farmers to use only Deere-authorized dealerships for repairs on tractors, combines, and other large agricultural equipment. Plaintiffs argued this practice inflated repair costs and violated antitrust laws by eliminating competition in the repair market.
The right-to-repair movement has been gaining momentum across both agriculture and technology sectors, with farmers arguing they should be able to repair equipment they own without being forced to use manufacturer-authorized service centers at premium prices.
Who Is Eligible?
The settlement class includes anyone who paid John Deere’s authorized dealers for repairs on large agricultural equipment — including tractors, combines, and sugarcane harvesters — since January 2018.
What Could Farmers Receive?
- Cash payments — estimated at 26% to 53% of overcharge damages, which is significantly higher than the typical 5-15% recovery in antitrust class actions
- Digital repair tools access — Deere must provide diagnostic and repair software to farmers for at least 10 years
What Happens Next?
The settlement is awaiting preliminary court approval. Once granted, a dedicated claims website is expected to go live where eligible farmers can submit claims. This is separate from the ongoing FTC lawsuit against Deere, which a federal judge ruled in June 2025 must proceed.
Case Details
| Settlement Amount | $99 million |
| Defendant | Deere & Company |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois |
| Announced | April 9, 2026 |
| Status | Awaiting preliminary approval |
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By Steve Levine | Published: April 13, 2026
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful information. False claims can be rejected and may carry penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official notice or contact the settlement administrator. OpenClassActions.org is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.