Arizona AG Kris Mayes Takes a Stand: Joins Lawsuit Against John Deere for Farmers’ Repair Rights

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined forces with the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from multiple states to address concerns regarding the repair practices of John Deere. These practices, they argue, have created significant challenges for local farmers and ranchers.

The lawsuit, filed in February in an Illinois federal court, asserts that John Deere’s restrictions on repair methods effectively limit equipment owners to their dealers for any repairs. Central to this claim is the requirement of a specialized software tool for diagnosing and fixing electronic issues, which is only accessible to authorized John Deere dealers.

This lawsuit emerges amid an ongoing national conversation about the right to repair, impacting various industries. Mayes likens the repair difficulties associated with John Deere tractors to those encountered with iPhones or MacBooks. “If you’re a farmer and you own a John Deere tractor, the way the software is configured forces you to rely solely on John Deere,” she explained in an interview. “This limits options that could be more affordable for them.”

For many farmers, accessing John Deere repair services is not straightforward. Dave Pawel, who operates Broken Horn D Ranch in Prescott, has faced challenges in maintaining his John Deere tractors. “The nearest dealer isn’t authorized to work on larger agricultural tractors. It’s a six-hour round trip for us,” he said, recounting the logistical hurdles he must navigate for repairs.

Pawel’s recent repairs involved the diesel engines’ pollution control systems, an area where he felt ill-equipped due to the lack of necessary computer technology. “Even if we could access the required software, we wouldn’t have the capability to use it effectively,” he added.

Stotz Equipment, which has multiple locations in Arizona, offers repair services for John Deere equipment. Scott Martinez, the director of communications for Stotz, emphasized their commitment to supporting farmers. “Consumers now have greater access to resources that enable them to conduct their own repairs,” Martinez stated, highlighting a John Deere self-repair website and various support options.

Despite the resources available, farmers like Pawel continue to face significant challenges, particularly regarding convenience and costs. The expense of repairs can reach between $3,000 to $5,000, and delays often undermine business operations. “When equipment is in the shop, my business is effectively down,” he remarked, noting that past repair delays have extended for more than two months due to part unavailability.

John Augustine, who operates Desert Tree Farm in Phoenix, has a different perspective. He has found John Deere parts and technicians accessible and acknowledges the quality of their service, albeit at a higher cost. “The ecological regulations have made repairs more complicated and expensive,” he noted.

Augustine also prefers lower horsepower tractors, which tend to be simpler to repair. Meanwhile, Pawel advocates for a return to simpler tractor models that would allow for manual operation even if certain electronic functions fail. This sentiment resonates with Mayes’ broader aim of ensuring consumers’ rights to repair, which could potentially reduce overall costs.

While the lawsuit is still unfolding, Mayes is keen to gather feedback from the farming community. “We want to hear from any Arizonans who may have issues with their John Deere tractors,” she encouraged, directing interested parties to contact azag.gov. “If successful, we hope to secure compensation for damages.”