Several folks have emailed in regarding a Nikon D5000 recall. It’s been a few weeks since the “recall” and we didn’t post an update when it came out. Nikon refers to the occurrence as a “service advisory.”
While Nikon takes great measures to assure high quality in its imaging products, it has come to our attention that an electronic component related to power control in some Nikon D5000 digital SLR cameras does not meet factory specifications and may, in certain circumstances, prevent the camera from turning on, thus preventing operation of the camera.
Indications of this issue include:1. The camera cannot be operated when the power switch is on, even with a fully-charged battery.
2. The camera cannot be operated with the EH-5a AC Adapter connected through the EP-5 Power Connector and the power switch on.The solution:
Nikon has isolated the issues related to this and has effectively resolved them. Preparations have been made at a special Nikon repair facility to streamline the processes associated with the solution. Service related to this issue, including the cost of shipping affected D5000 cameras to Nikon, as well as their return to customers, will be free of charge. To further minimize customer inconvenience, Nikon will return serviced cameras to customers promptly, employing (whenever possible) transportation that limits transit time to two days.
There’s a way to check the serial number on your Nikon D5000 and get more details on this page.
Rodrian Roadeye says
I wanted one of those cameras so bad. After reading this, I’ll probably pass until the next model. There’s just something about refurbished that says lemon, no matter how you slice it. I may be wrong, but that’s the kind of hairpin I am.
Jamonrob says
I was just about ready to buy this camera, but will not do so now. Nikon has just handled the recall poorly, and I’ve also read about other problems with the camera.
Josh says
I’ve got to be honest, guys. I have one of the D5000s that are being recalled. I haven’t sent it in yet because I have a vacation coming up in which I’ll need it, but It’s really a fantastic camera with UNBELIEVABLE low light imaging capabilities. It’s worth a look. I’ve not had any problems whatsoever with mine> I suspect that it’s probably a really small percentage of the run that may actually have issues.
I’m telling you, this sensor is one of the best out there. And if you can’t afford a D90 (like me), this is the next best thing.
Abb says
D5000 camera is on a $20000 holiday in europe and failed to work contacted nikon in europe and they will not warrant the camera in europe very disapointed with it after trying three cameras i will be requesting a refund.
Ken Albin says
The whole thing is unfortunate because this is a great camera and it’s getting a bad rap because of the quality issue. I had to send mine in. It was back in 6 days with no problem. I do nature photography and love this camera! I’ve used everything from a D300 to various Canons and I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Check out my blog page for photos I’ve been taking with it.
John "K" says
My D5000 was one affected by this “service advisory” (aka recall), and I was e-mailed quite soon after I registered my camera by Nikon letting me know that my camera “might be affected”.
Being a typical product user I followed the “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” approach, as the camera was working just fine… a few weeks later I got a follow-up, and so this time I went to their site and found that my serial number was one of the ones they were recalling, so I planned to send it, but continued using the camera for a few more days. The day before I was going to send it in, the defect hit me and the camera died.
So…. I sent the camera off, and within 10 days I had it back. Not bad I thought…. but things weren’t quite right. Because of the type of shots I was taking at the time the issue that my camera had on its return wasn’t immediately obvious, but over the next few days of usage it was clear that the camera wasn’t focussing as clearly as it was before. Manual focus was fine, but auto-focus was soft.
After doing some tests to be sure there was an issue (including replicating some pre-retrofit shots and comparing the results) I triple-checked all of the settings on the camera to make sure nothing was adrift. While doing so I took a look at the firmware versions reported by the camera, and saw that instead of reporting L 1.001, it was reporting L ?.255.
I searched around the internet bit refarding this “L firmware” and it seems that the L firmware is what controls how the camera interacts with Nikon lenses. A version of L ?.255 seemed odd, and so I contacted their repair center in California. After some initial puzzled responses from them, we found out that the “Service Advisory” processing center had not correctly followed a series of instructions when working on my camera.
The recall exists because there is a sub-standard component on a circuit board in the camera that relates to the power control circuit that when it fails stops the camera from working, and the retrofit is to replace that board in the camera with one that has a better quality component. The circuit board that this component is on also contains the camera firmware, so when the “service Advisory” center replaces the board, they are also supposed to flash the baoard with the latest firmware, and then run a suite of calibration checks.
In my case, they missed the step to flash the board with the right firmware (L ?.255 is an indication of an unflashed part), so the service center in LA, California offered have it shipped to them by overnight carrier so they could correct this, and they would then ship it back to me by overnight carrier. I’d been without my camera for 10 days already and didn’t want to be without it for what would be at least 3 more, so as they are not too far from where I live, I opted to take it to them.
Upon arrival at their center, they quickly processed my camera into their system, and within 45 minutes I had it back, with the right firmware, and fully calibrated. I’d go so far as to say that if anything my shots seem slightly crisper than before all of this, so I’m happy with the end result, and I’m very happy with the way the service center staff treated me.
The moral of all of this is…. The D5000 is a great camera. If you have one and you are unlucky enough to have one of the ones that the “service advisory” applies to, plan to send the camera in, as there’s nothing worse than having it stop dead i the middle of a shoot… but when you get it back be sure to check the firmware versions reported by the camera, and if you see “L ?.255” be prepared to be without it for a few more days!
The hope is that they have now corrected their “service advisory” process to ensure that this doesn’t happen to another customer…
Any new D5000s shipped after the date of the advisory (July 16) should not be exposed to this early-life issue, but some stockists may have old stock in their warehouses and on their shelves, so if buy a D5000, be sure to register it with Nikon, and check the service advisory page at http://support.nikontech.com/rd?1=AvUE~wpLCv8SEqhjGnAe~yL~Jvsq~0z~bw9i9Tr~&2=558 to see if you have a camera that is exposed to the problem.
Once again, the D5000 is a great camera and I am still pleased with my decision to buy – this issue is unfortunate, but Nikon are doing what they can to reach out to affected customers – the important thing is to be sure you register your camera when you get it…
John (still happy with his D5000)
Eric says
John,
That’s an excellent account of the recall process. Thanks for posting this and reassuring everyone who owns or is considering buying the D5000.
John "K" says
I posted the wrong link in the above comment…. The correct (and current) one is…
http://nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/D5000-Service-Advisory.page
Joseph says
Hi!
I’ll be buying d5000 this saturday and I haven’t found the udated serial number list of d5000 with defects yet.
Please send me the updated list of serial numbers with defects.(I don’t have the luxury of time to search for it since it’s almost time for me to buy.)
It’s urgent and really important.
Many thanks.