This note adds no new facts. It answers the questions new readers ask most, in plain words, and links each answer to the entry it comes from. For the full sequence see the timeline and promises vs delivery.
1. What is the M9 CCD corrosion problem?
Owners have publicly reported spots and corrosion on the glass stack in front of the M9’s CCD sensor. Public reporting names the stack as a Kodak KAF-18500 sensor with a Schott S8612 cover glass. Leica rebutted one 2020 teardown claim about uncoated glass, so that point is disputed.
Named stack · Disputed teardown · Owner reports
2. Did Leica ever replace the sensor for free?
As alleged, yes: in 2014 goodwill CCD replacement was publicly reported for M9, Monochrom and M-E bodies “regardless of age”, and Leica’s own LFI magazine restated it with a Customer Care address and phone line.
LFI 2014 · 2014 goodwill · German wording
3. When did the free offer end?
As reported by DPReview in May 2017, the age-independent offer was set to expire on 16 August 2017, with a contribution of about €982 for older bodies.
DPReview 2017 · Five-year limit
4. What did it cost after 2018?
A €1303 + VAT contribution from 1 December 2018, which Customer Care allegedly restated to this customer on 6 September 2019. That is a quoted amount, not proof of payment.
5. Can Leica still replace an M9 CCD?
In June 2022 the Complaint Manager wrote that CCD production stopped in October 2019 and the process would not be restarted. The official leica-camera.cn service page still says the CCD cannot be replaced.
2022 letter · CN service page · No restart
6. What options do owners have now?
Public sources describe two paths: third-party cover-glass repair (Kolari Vision from 2021 at about $999, plus EU workshops) or Leica’s upgrade programme toward newer models. Neither restores the original CCD offer.
Kolari 2021 · EU workshops · Glass vs upgrade
7. What happened in this file?
Two Wetzlar orders, 1058152 (estimate, August 2019) and 1105973 (estimate, June 2020, after the later-stated October 2019 stop). Along the way the purchase proof was called “not acknowledgeable” and a return was limited to Europe.
Case 1058152 · Order 1105973 · Autumn 2019
8. Has Leica answered the twelve questions?
Not point by point. Letter A and the formal demand drew automatic tickets, and a company letter dated 2 October 2026 treats the matter as closed, which the consumer disputes. Q1, Q2 and Q9 remain open.
12 questions · Auto-replies · 2 October letter
9. Where can I check the sources myself?
The public sources page lists the outside reporting, and the source map groups it by outlet type. Exhibits and mail threads hold the documents on file.
Public sources · Source map · Exhibits
Open line as of 2026-10-30: no numbered point-by-point written reply to Q1–Q12 is on file. A company letter dated 2 October 2026 is on file; the consumer disputes its closure of the matter (2026-10-03 update). Allegations and unanswered questions only, not a court finding.
Journal · Wetzlar Customer Care · Public sources · Exhibits · Mail threads · 12 questions