2015 Macbook pro - Battery swollen.. Anyone get it replaced?

[krishmk]

Bought this in Oct 2016 and has 85 cycles and I just noticed that it is not sitting properly on the desk. It is wobbly and when I look on the reverse I could tell the battery might be swollen.

I do not have Applecare and what are the chances that apple would replace it without charging?

I looked at the procedure to replace it and seems very time intensive and almost 60+ steps per, iFixit. I could do it, but wanted to see if anyone replaced it?

 

[jerryk]

Can't hurt to take it in and ask, they might do it on good will, but your system is 3 years old. Do not be surprised if you need to do a top case replacement and they charge $199 or more.

See this site, https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

 

[krishmk]

Can't hurt to take it in and ask, they might do it on good will, but your system is 3 years old. Do not be surprised if you need to do a top case replacement and they charge $199 or more.

See this site, https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

I have dent on the side and I suspect they will use that as an excuse to reject the replacement. I might as well do it myself, saw some videos and doesnt seem that bad.

 

[jerryk]

I have dent on the side and I suspect they will use that as an excuse to reject the replacement. I might as well do it myself, saw some videos and doesnt seem that bad.

Well go for it.

 

[iPhonagain]

I have dent on the side and I suspect they will use that as an excuse to reject the replacement. I might as well do it myself, saw some videos and doesnt seem that bad.

You should try anyway, sometimes they are surprisingly good about fixing things, it really just depends on who you get. Asking to get help from the manager isn’t a bad idea as long as you’re nice about it. Also make sure to point out how many Apple products you own if you have a lot of them. It does help if your whole family uses Apple as well.

 

[venom600]

It's funny you posted this. I had mine swell and get replaced last April. Guess what, it happened again last week a MONTH after Applecare ran out. I went to the Apple store and was told that they won't do anything to make me whole... I have to pay the $200 battery fee no matter what, even though mine only had about 30 cycles on it. I am seriously irritated by this now because I don't have faith that it won't happen again.

They said it could be a week or more, so I ended up buying a non TB 13" to use and return. All the problems I have with mine... the heat, the loud fans, the weight, are gone with this, and it isn;'t even this year's processor. Now I'm seriously thinking about selling mine and upgrading to a new 13.

 

[krishmk]

It's funny you posted this. I had mine swell and get replaced last April. Guess what, it happened again last week a MONTH after Applecare ran out. I went to the Apple store and was told that they won't do anything to make me whole... I have to pay the $200 battery fee no matter what, even though mine only had about 30 cycles on it. I am seriously irritated by this now because I don't have faith that it won't happen again.

They said it could be a week or more, so I ended up buying a non TB 13" to use and return. All the problems I have with mine... the heat, the loud fans, the weight, are gone with this, and it isn;'t even this year's processor. Now I'm seriously thinking about selling mine and upgrading to a new 13.

yeah I never had any luck with APPL doing it correct by me. So I have decided to buy a battery and replace it myself. Ifixit has nice video and doesnt seem like hard to do it.

 

[kohlson]

Several times I've taken something - iPhones, laptops - into the Apple Store, only to be told, in effect, this will cost you. Even under AppleCare. This has included cracked home button on iPhone 7, warped case on iPhone 6, constant rebooting on a 4-month old MBP, and so on. Unless it's urgent, I just smile and say "Thanks for checking." I'll bring it back another time - it's always fixed then, with no questions and no cost. It helps that I live close to an Apple Store.

My point is, there is a large degree of "flexibility" in what is fixed for free, and what isn't.

 

[Painter2002]

yeah I never had any luck with APPL doing it correct by me. So I have decided to buy a battery and replace it myself. Ifixit has nice video and doesnt seem like hard to do it.

Best of luck on the replacement. The replacement looks easy on the videos, but is actually pretty challenging because of the glue used in the laptop. It can be done, just be sure that you have all the right tools and glue remover that iFixit indicates that you need.

Personally, I'd take it to Apple first to see if maybe they'd cover it as a replacement as a courtesy repair. A small dent (provided it didn't damage any internals) shouldn't stop Apple from doing the repair. Best case, Apple replaces it for free; worst case they say it's going to cost you and you say no thank you and fix it yourself.

 

[krishmk]

Best of luck on the replacement. The replacement looks easy on the videos, but is actually pretty challenging because of the glue used in the laptop. It can be done, just be sure that you have all the right tools and glue remover that iFixit indicates that you need.

Personally, I'd take it to Apple first to see if maybe they'd cover it as a replacement as a courtesy repair. A small dent (provided it didn't damage any internals) shouldn't stop Apple from doing the repair. Best case, Apple replaces it for free; worst case they say it's going to cost you and you say no thank you and fix it yourself.

I will try this today as I have two apple stores in 4 mile radius.

ETA: Do I just walk-in or do I take an appointment for battery check?

 

[bobbie424242]

You need an appointment.

I've had mine recently replaced on a 2014 model, with a top case replacement for 199$.

 

[krishmk]

You need an appointment.

I've had mine recently replaced on a 2014 model, with a top case replacement for 199$.

Thanks for the tip. I got an appointment for today and will try to see if they can help me.

 

[krishmk]

Update....
Just got back from Apple store and the genius guy said the battery is under extended repair warranty and would be replaced free of charge. Also, will replace the top case, which is good as I had a small dent on the side.

Glad I went to ask for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions here.

 

[jerryk]

Update....
Just got back from Apple store and the genius guy said the battery is under extended repair warranty and would be replaced free of charge. Also, will replace the top case, which is good as I had a small dent on the side.

Glad I went to ask for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions here.

great!!

The Normal battery replacement is replacement of the top case assembly. This consists of the battery, keyboard, trackpad, and the Al top case.

It's a good deal for $199. Fantastic deal for free!!

I hope you bought a lottery ticket on the way home.

 

[Rocko99991]

Update....
Just got back from Apple store and the genius guy said the battery is under extended repair warranty and would be replaced free of charge. Also, will replace the top case, which is good as I had a small dent on the side.

Glad I went to ask for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions here.

Do you know what models are covered under this program?

 

[krishmk]

Do you know what models are covered under this program?

No idea, but I suspect they might have advised the genius to replace batteries when customers come. My 2015 is less then 2 yrs old, if that makes any sense.
[doublepost=1534202755][/doublepost]

great!!

The Normal battery replacement is replacement of the top case assembly. This consists of the battery, keyboard, trackpad, and the Al top case.

It's a good deal for $199. Fantastic deal for free!!

I hope you bought a lottery ticket on the way home.

I looked at the work order, it was priced at 475 for top case and 100 for labor. I had a minor dent and that will go away with top case replacement.

 

[jerryk]

No idea, but I suspect they might have advised the genius to replace batteries when customers come. My 2015 is less then 2 yrs old, if that makes any sense.
[doublepost=1534202755][/doublepost]
I looked at the work order, it was priced at 475 for top case and 100 for labor. I had a minor dent and that will go away with top case replacement.

Wow! That is pricey. I bet they did the split pricing for external reasons (i.e. make it look like they are providing more service $$ to corporate).

 

[venom600]

No idea, but I suspect they might have advised the genius to replace batteries when customers come. My 2015 is less then 2 yrs old, if that makes any sense.
[doublepost=1534202755][/doublepost]
I looked at the work order, it was priced at 475 for top case and 100 for labor. I had a minor dent and that will go away with top case replacement.

There is no program. I asked... you got it replaced because yours is still under AppleCare (assuming you have AppleCare), the same way they did mine last year. I have to pay the full $199 because I am a month past my Apple Care coverage. When I spoke to the guy on the phone he quoted me the $600 price as well, but that usually means they aren't classifying it as a battery service. As soon as they do it drops to $199.

 

[Painter2002]

Update....
Just got back from Apple store and the genius guy said the battery is under extended repair warranty and would be replaced free of charge. Also, will replace the top case, which is good as I had a small dent on the side.

Glad I went to ask for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions here.

Hey congrats on the easy fix! It never hurts to ask, now you’ll have a nice new topcase, new battery and new keyboard! Glad to hear Apple took care of you.

 

[Howard2k]

yeah I never had any luck with APPL doing it correct by me. So I have decided to buy a battery and replace it myself. Ifixit has nice video and doesnt seem like hard to do it.

Doing it correct by you? It’s it under warranty or not?

 

[krishmk]

There is no program. I asked... you got it replaced because yours is still under AppleCare (assuming you have AppleCare), the same way they did mine last year. I have to pay the full $199 because I am a month past my Apple Care coverage. When I spoke to the guy on the phone he quoted me the $600 price as well, but that usually means they aren't classifying it as a battery service. As soon as they do it drops to $199.

Never had an Apple Care nor i I ever believe in buying warranty either.

 

[krishmk]

Hey congrats on the easy fix! It never hurts to ask, now you’ll have a nice new topcase, new battery and new keyboard! Glad to hear Apple took care of you.

I am so glad they took care of it. Thanks for your input which made me try in the first place.

 

[venom600]

Never had an Apple Care nor i I ever believe in buying warranty either.

Would you mind posting the information or sending it to me privately so that when I pick mine up I can argue that I shouldn't have to pay either? The guy was adamant there was no program when I was there.

 

[krishmk]

Would you mind posting the information or sending it to me privately so that when I pick mine up I can argue that I shouldn't have to pay either? The guy was adamant there was no program when I was there.

I could but my MBP was purchased in less than 2 years.. Check your PM for the codes they used to put in the service reqeust..

 

[Toggie101]

FWIW - I'm in the UK so things may be different, but...

I took my 2015 15" MBP into my local Apple store yesterday to have them ascertain whether it had a swollen battery. The Genius Bar tech confirmed it had and instantly offered to replace the top case and battery free of charge (normal cost quoted as £332.50 GBP), and stated that Apple replace swollen batteries for free within 3 years after purchase.

I didn't have AppleCare and purchased it from a department store (the store sold it with a free 3 year warranty, hence I wanted Apple to confirm if a repair was necessary before I took it back hoping for a warranty repair). The warranty expires in two weeks.

A month earlier I asked a non-Genius employee at the same Apple store about Apple's policy on replacing swollen batteries and was advised that they would absolutely charge for the replacement and my best bet would be to tackle the store I bought it from and see if they would cover it under their warranty.

So assuming all goes well, I'm happy. I get a free replacement without having to possibly battle the department store customer service. Also the repair should take a week and not 2-3 weeks that the department store quoted (this 13" 2010 MBP I've resurrected from the dead is nowhere near as nice).