15" MBP 2016 with swollen battery

[Woyzeck]

Hi,

my 2016 15 inch fully specced MBP started to grow on thickness about a year ago. It's still functional, but unable to lie flat on my desk. It's out of warranty now, but is there any replacement or recall program for those Macs ? I've heard some 15" 2015 models were recalled.

Besides that I'm worried that the swollen battery might sometimes catch fire, explode or do anything else with potential harm to my family's health. And I'm really pissed. It was super-expensive and now has a resale value of zero.

 

[Valdna]

Hi,

my 2016 15 inch fully specced MBP started to grow on thickness about a year ago. It's still functional, but unable to lie flat on my desk. It's out of warranty now, but is there any replacement or recall program for those Macs ? I've heard some 15" 2015 models were recalled.

Besides that I'm worried that the swollen battery might sometimes catch fire, explode or do anything else with potential harm to my family's health. And I'm really pissed. It was super-expensive and now has a resale value of zero.

Get it replaced or at least taken out of the computer, before something worse happens...
It's better if you do not use the computer before doing this.
I hope you keep it in a fireproof place...

 

[Howard2k]

Get it replaced or at least taken out of the computer, before something worse happens...
It's better if you do not use the computer before doing this.
I hope you keep it in a fireproof place...

Seconded.

No replacement program I'm aware of, but I'd take it into Apple and get it replaced ASAP.


IIRC, in the past when replacement programs have been initiated they have also refunded those who paid for the work. I can't be sure, but keep the receipt.

 

[Fishrrman]

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere nearby?

Take it in and show it to them.
At 3 years old, they -might- replace the battery free of charge.

Even if they won't do that, a new battery should run $200 (parts AND labor, make sure you have agreement on that before you put it into their hands).
Worth paying for.

You DO NOT WANT a swollen battery around!
It's a FIRE HAZARD!

 

[Webster's Mac]

Get it replaced or at least taken out of the computer, before something worse happens...
It's better if you do not use the computer before doing this.
I hope you keep it in a fireproof place...

Those batteries are glued in. Apple can't just remove the battery and send it back. They will have to replace the entire top case.

 

[hoobury]

Hi,

my 2016 15 inch fully specced MBP started to grow on thickness about a year ago. It's still functional, but unable to lie flat on my desk. It's out of warranty now, but is there any replacement or recall program for those Macs ? I've heard some 15" 2015 models were recalled.

Besides that I'm worried that the swollen battery might sometimes catch fire, explode or do anything else with potential harm to my family's health. And I'm really pissed. It was super-expensive and now has a resale value of zero.

We just got a similar age battery replaced through the recall.

https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall

If your machine qualifies, they'll just send you an empty box. Pack up your laptop and send it in. They fix it and send it back to you within a few days. It worked out great for us.

Ours was also swollen to the point that you could not shut the lid. I actually tried to fix it myself and got the back partially open before I stripped 2 screws. So I sent them a warped, partially open case with two stripped screws and they fixed it all up and sent us a machine that was good as new. I felt a little bad about it. Good luck.

 

[mrspooney]

My 2016 MBP’s battery swelled so much the bottom case actually popped open slightly! Took it to the Apple Store today, and they immediately took it in for replacement “top case”, plus the bottom panel which is now warped. No charge. Laptop was purchased October 2016, I’m in the UK.

 

[Woyzeck]

Thank you, I‘ll just walk into the next Apple Store and see what happens.

 

[psingh01]

Hi,

my 2016 15 inch fully specced MBP started to grow on thickness about a year ago. It's still functional, but unable to lie flat on my desk. It's out of warranty now, but is there any replacement or recall program for those Macs ? I've heard some 15" 2015 models were recalled.

Besides that I'm worried that the swollen battery might sometimes catch fire, explode or do anything else with potential harm to my family's health. And I'm really pissed. It was super-expensive and now has a resale value of zero.

I had a swollen battery replaced free of charge by apple on an out of warranty 17" MBP years ago. The machine must have been about 5 years old at the time. I took it into an apple store and was more than willing to pay for the replacement but they did it for free.

Take it in, you may have the same luck. However if you don't, do you really want to keep using this and risk something worse happening to save a few bucks?

 

[Valdna]

Those batteries are glued in. Apple can't just remove the battery and send it back. They will have to replace the entire top case.

They are really easily removed if needed.

 

[Webster's Mac]

No .... sherlock...
But they are really easily removable if needed...

But you said to have the battery “at least removed” and I’m saying Apple won’t do that. If you go to the trouble of having it removed, you might as well pay Apple for a battery replacement

 

[bobnugget]

I know someone who let their battery do this and also had to replace the bottom case too. He was charged for it all by an AASP.

 

[hollandog]

My 2016 15" MBP is having same issue. Battery is swelling but not bad enough yet to break the case open.
OP did you get yours fixed by Apple? If so how much did you pay?

I took it to Micro Center and they wanted a week and $40 fee to give me an estimate. I decided to hold on to it until Apple Stores re-open in NYC, which not sure when...

 

[jimmysalg]

I called Apple today about the same issue 2016 battery swollen. They told me over $600 dollars to get it repaired!?!?!?

 

[hollandog]

I called Apple today about the same issue 2016 battery swollen. They told me over $600 dollars to get it repaired!?!?!?

It's really hit or miss with the Apple Support. I was quoted about $800 while I'm hearing guys got it fixed for free. I'm chatting with Apple Support again and mentioning the forum...

 

[jimmysalg]

Thank you! Let me know how it goes?

 

[Fishrrman]

hollandog wrote:
"My 2016 15" MBP is having same issue. Battery is swelling but not bad enough yet to break the case open.
OP did you get yours fixed by Apple? If so how much did you pay?"

Visit an Apple Store genius bar or CALL APPLE DIRECTLY.

If you can't bring it to a store, they will send you a prepaid shipping box to send it to them.

Turnaround is probably about 5-7 days or so.

Cost should be $199 which includes parts and labor.

DON'T WAIT ON THIS. GET IT DONE.
You snooze... you're gonna lose.

I WOULD NOT PAY ANYONE $800 to replace the battery.
For that kind of money, I'd buy a new one instead.

 

[hollandog]

hollandog wrote:
"My 2016 15" MBP is having same issue. Battery is swelling but not bad enough yet to break the case open.
OP did you get yours fixed by Apple? If so how much did you pay?"

Visit an Apple Store genius bar or CALL APPLE DIRECTLY.

If you can't bring it to a store, they will send you a prepaid shipping box to send it to them.

Turnaround is probably about 5-7 days or so.

Cost should be $199 which includes parts and labor.

DON'T WAIT ON THIS. GET IT DONE.
You snooze... you're gonna lose.

I WOULD NOT PAY ANYONE $800 to replace the battery.
For that kind of money, I'd buy a new one instead.

Just done chatting with Apple again and they quoted $199 plus shipping and tax for mail in battery repair BUT if they found other damaged parts there will be additional cost. So the $199 is BS if they are going to charge to replace the damaged bottom case.

I would do it if they guarantee $199 to fix and no additional charge.