The ‘right to repair’ movement has a point, but consumers should read the warranty fine print first

A recent settlement with farm equipment manufacturer John Deere made it easier for farmers to repair machines on their own, a win for the 'right to repair' movement. AP Photo/John Locher

The “right to repair” movement is gaining steam as consumers push corporations to offer them more freedom to fix products – from cars to dishwashers to toys.

In April 2026, farm equipment maker Deere & Co. inked a US$99 million settlement in a class action suit over its prohibition on independent repairs to its increasingly high-tech equipment – another win for the movement. While the company didn’t admit wrongdoing, it will let farmers make more repairs themselves.