John Deere Refutes FTC Lawsuit Alleging Restriction of Self-Repair Capabilities
24 January 2025, Illinois: John Deere has issued a strong rebuttal to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that the company has restricted self-repair capabilities for farmers and independent repair providers. The company firmly rejected the claims, describing the lawsuit as “baseless,” founded on “flagrant misrepresentations of the facts and fatally flawed legal theories,” and an attack on innovation and competitive product design.
The lawsuit, filed on the eve of the incoming U.S. administration, has drawn criticism for its timing and partisan overtones. FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, soon to be the agency’s chairman, dissented from the filing, labeling it a product of “brazen partisanship” and questioning its legal merit. Ferguson noted that the FTC lacks sufficient evidence to justify the claims and argued against expending taxpayer resources on what he called an underdeveloped case. Commissioner Melissa Holyoak echoed these concerns, joining Ferguson in opposing the lawsuit.
Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support at John Deere, expressed disappointment over the FTC’s actions, citing ongoing discussions with the agency that revealed gaps in their understanding of the industry and the company’s practices. Caldwell noted that John Deere had been actively engaged in negotiations to resolve the investigation when the lawsuit was filed.
John Deere emphasized its commitment to equipping farmers and independent repair providers with the tools and resources needed to repair and maintain its technologically advanced machinery. The company pointed to its long history of supporting self-repair through innovations like the Equipment Mobile app launched in 2023 and its plans to expand capabilities in the John Deere Operations Center™ later this year. These tools allow users to manage equipment data, perform diagnostics, and even reprogram electronic controllers to maintain machine reliability and safety.
Caldwell reaffirmed John Deere’s dedication to customer empowerment, highlighting the company’s investments in repairability. He stated that the company will continue to deliver world-class dealer support alongside extensive self-repair solutions, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity for customers.
Earlier this week, John Deere announced a significant milestone in its commitment to repairability. The company revealed plans to launch new capabilities that will allow customers and independent repair technicians to reprogram Deere-manufactured electronic controllers. These features will be integrated into the John Deere Operations Center™ and are expected to become available in the U.S. and Canada by the second half of 2025.
For decades, John Deere has prioritized repairability, offering tools like Customer Service ADVISOR for diagnostics and calibrations, free operator manuals through its online bookstore, and a range of maintenance resources through its website. The recent enhancements build on this legacy, further empowering equipment owners and independent technicians to address their repair needs.
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