John Deere repair lock (2023): did it need fixing?

They Fixed It / Deere & Company

2023

Deere & Company

Before: Tractors that owners and independent shops could repair themselves.
The fix: Made many repairs need Service ADVISOR, software only dealers get in full. A 2023 pledge with the Farm Bureau promised more access.
Then: In return, the Farm Bureau agreed not to push repair laws. The FTC sued anyway in January 2025, joined by five states. Deere paid $99 million to settle a farmers' class action, then in July 2026 agreed to give owners the dealers' repair tools.

Half took it back

Dealer-grade repair tools for owners, under FTC watch for 10 years.

Your call

More fixes nobody asked for

2018

Speed Queen

Before: Speed Queen top-loaders with a plain agitator and mechanical controls.
The fix: Redesigned the line to meet federal efficiency rules, with an 'agi-tub' that moves tub and agitator together for a gentler wash.
Then: Consumer Reports gave the $1,000-plus TR7 a 31 out of 100, the worst of the 100-plus washers it had tested. Speed Queen reworked it and brought the old transmission-driven design back as the TC5.

Half took it back

Both designs are sold now.

Your call

2016

Kraft Heinz

Before: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, colored orange with artificial dyes.
The fix: Swapped the artificial dyes and preservatives for paprika, annatto and turmeric, and told nobody.
Then: Kraft waited until about 50 million boxes had sold before announcing the change in March 2016. The ad campaign was built on the fact that nobody noticed.

Kept it.

The new recipe stayed.

Your call

2021

Microsoft

Before: A Windows taskbar you could put on any edge of the screen, as far back as Windows 95.
The fix: Windows 11 locked the taskbar to the bottom of the screen.
Then: Users asked for it back for five years. The September 2026 Patch Tuesday update added top, left and right positions, rolling out gradually and set in Settings, not by dragging.

Took it back

Movable again from September 2026, minus drag-and-drop.

Your call