A proposed John Deere class action settlement combines a $99 million cash fund with changes intended to expand access to repair and diagnostic tools for large agricultural equipment. Eligible farmers, businesses and other buyers can file claims for payments tied to qualifying dealer labor hours.

The lawsuit alleges that Deere restricted repair resources and caused customers to pay more for repair services than they otherwise would have. Deere denies wrongdoing, and the settlement is not an admission that the company violated antitrust law.

The class is based on paid repair services, not equipment ownership alone

The class includes people and entities that purchased qualifying repair services from Deere or an authorized Deere dealer in the United States between January 10, 2018, and May 18, 2026. Simply owning a Deere machine is not enough.

Repair services include diagnosis, maintenance or repair of covered large agricultural equipment. The notice identifies ECU-dependent 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 Series tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters, sprayers, and certain tillage, seeding and application equipment.

Government entities, Deere and its affiliates, Deere officers, directors and employees, their immediate families, and the presiding judge and related court personnel are excluded.

Cash awards are weighted by labor hours

Each valid claimant's payment will be based on that claimant's share of the total qualifying labor hours represented by all valid claims. The notice gives a simple illustration: if one claimant accounts for 1% of all approved labor hours, that claimant would receive 1% of the net settlement fund.

There is no fixed dollar payment or stated per-person cap. The $99 million fund will first be reduced by approved attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, service awards, notice and administration costs, and taxes. Class counsel may request up to $45 million in fees and up to $6 million in expenses. Seven named plaintiffs may seek $25,000 each.

Interest has accrued on the cash fund since January 15, 2026. The settlement notice separately estimates the repair-access changes at $293.9 million to $648 million, but those estimates are not cash available for distribution.

Deere records may simplify some claims

Some class members received a Notice ID and Confirmation Code because Deere data identified qualifying repair work. Those claimants can use the codes to access the information associated with their notice.

People whose qualifying repairs are not in Deere's data must provide records or other documentation. Claimants must also supply information about any purchased extended warranty used to cover qualifying repairs. Repairs performed under a Deere factory warranty do not qualify for cash.

The administrator may request records supporting a claim. Failing to provide requested proof can result in the affected repair services being removed from the labor-hour calculation.

Repair-tool access does not require a claim

The settlement's noncash component applies to all class members, whether or not they submit a claim. Deere agreed to make covered digital repair and diagnostic tools available to customers and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms, including new tools as they become available.

The stated goal is to let farmers and independent providers complete repairs that would otherwise require an authorized dealer. The court will retain enforcement authority over the repair-access provisions for ten years.

Class members can exclude themselves from the monetary settlement, but the notice explains that the repair-tool relief applies across the class. Anyone considering an opt-out should review the official notice and settlement agreement carefully.

Monetary claims are due December 31

Claims may be filed online at DeereRepairSettlement.com or returned to the settlement administrator by December 31, 2026. A class member who does nothing will not receive cash, although the repair-access provisions will still apply.

The deadlines to opt out of monetary relief or object are both December 4, 2026. Objections must be filed with the court and sent to the designated lawyers as described in the notice; opting out follows a separate mailing process.

The fairness hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2027, at 10 a.m. Central Time in Courtroom 5200 of the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse in Rockford, Illinois. Payments will wait until final approval and any appeals are resolved.