AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[kajukenbo]

Anyone else still have issues with their AirPods Pro after getting them replaced by the Service Program? My right AirPod constantly rattles when I jog and the left one has static when I'm not playing audio.

I've had two sets replacements post the new Service Program. Both have the rattling in the right pod when noise cancelling is enabled.

Serials:
First set (via Apple store)
L: H2LDCQ...
R: H1DD9B...

Second set (via mail in)
L: H2KD97...
R: H1DDGL...

I'm waiting on my third set via mail in.

 

[thadoggfather]

its interesting that if you have the issue on AirPods Pro assembled before oct2020, they qualify for up to two years

anything after that, not.

so you would think *if* the problem is solved its not just an arbitrary cut off, they'd want to give you a new batch not another assortment of old inventory.

 

[wkd]

its interesting that if you have the issue on AirPods Pro assembled before oct2020, they qualify for up to two years

anything after that, not.

so you would think *if* the problem is solved its not just an arbitrary cut off, they'd want to give you a new batch not another assortment of old inventory.

dunno about mail in but when i got mine replaced in store, he checked to make sure the replacement had the recessed mic before giving them to me.

 

[Christian 5G]

Same issue I started having and all apple stores are packed. with repair appointments... Transparency and Noise cancellation modes are no longer useful as its not just cracking but also left one is vibrating now except of when I have all modes off.

Cleaned and reset and nothing helped

Worst part is I was in chat with apple support for an hour to only come to conclusion that I many need to bring it to the apple store which then they told me there are no appointments available anywhere close to me.

Apple used to never ask questions and I would just bring device under warranty and fixed like 5+ years ago. Now, they just want to drag it for as long as they can as it seems to me and trying not to help but rather for customer to just give up.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I think that Apple are well aware that there are design and quality issues with the Pro's. I think they will get the 2nd generation Pro's out in 2021 as quickly as possible.

 

[kajukenbo]

I've had two sets replacements post the new Service Program. Both have the rattling in the right pod when noise cancelling is enabled.

Serials:
First set (via Apple store)
L: H2LDCQ...
R: H1DD9B...

Second set (via mail in)
L: H2KD97...
R: H1DDGL...

I'm waiting on my third set via mail in.

Third set (via mail in)
L: H2LDCT...
R: H2KDFJ...

 

[American Panda]

I just got a set mailed to me today due to syncing issues, although I wonder if mine are older and are before the October build date?

H1FD9
H19DF

 

[Hammerd]

Wow I feel bad for you guys, I have mine since this summer and they doesn't do that. But I can hear a white noise when in transparency mode only.

 

[JuneJune]

I ordered my APP from the app, received this week, and the box xpsays manufactured in 09 2020... well, I guess the good news is that they qualify for the replacement when issues arise :/

 

[MajesticNJ]

My story is crazy. Over 12 hours invested not including travel time so far.

Two weeks ago I opened a case with Apple about fluttering noises from my APP. I go through some steps and get a warranty replacement approved. I tell them I want a replacement not a mail in swap as I really want to use my APP. The rep makes an appointment for me at my local Best Buy and I'm like..."I don't think they are going to be able to help me." She did it anyway and I figured I'll try. I go there for my scheduled appointment and wait in line for 20 minutes. (I'm in NJ so strict with the Covid procedures.) Finally get to the guy and within 20 seconds he says I don't know what I can do for you. 🙄 Says the best he can offer is for me to send them out and I'd get them back within 7 to 10 business days. I'm like... no. That's not going to work.

I get back in my truck and call Apple. Escalate to a supervisor. She really tries to help and then sets me up with a followup appointment at my local Apple Store. She calls ahead to the store and makes sure there should be no issues with me coming and doing a replacement. Fast forward, I go to the store and get in pretty fast. The guy tells me that they don't have any APP replacements in stock so there is nothing he can do. 😡 He schedules me for a call from Apple to see if they can arrange a shipped replacement where I get them first then return the old ones in a pre-paid postage box they include.

Oh boy...this is where I finally lose it.

I get the call from the guy and we go through new steps which included taking the rubber earpieces off and making sure they were clean and free of particles or something. He finally says he will setup the mail in replacement. Phew. He sends me an an email that says it will cost me $195.72 if I don't return the old ones within 10 days and advises me to fill out the info the form requests. He ASSURES me that there will not be a charge against my account unless we don't return them. I go ahead and proceed with the form he asked me to fill out then click submit.

I bet yall can tell what happened next....

Yup.

I immediately get a notice from my bank stating that Apple just charged me $195.72. I literally flip. I told the rep tht this was not good as this is my bank account and we have pending checks and bills outstanding and this could cause problems. He goes on and on and insists that I am wrong. I send him a screen capture showing the pending charge and how it removed the funds from my account. I have no choice other than to cancel at this point which sucks but had to do it. (My wife was livid too!) He cancels then tells me that the charge should be cancelled and returned to my account within 24 to 48 hours but it is up to my bank. (This was Saturday and it's Monday and the charge still shows as pending.)

That was another hour and a half wasted.

I decide I am going to call back in... one more time.... I am clearly a glutton for punishment. I tell the rep that she needs to get me a senior manager because she won't be able to help me. I politely explain I am really unhappy and if this doesn't get resolved tonight I will call corporate on Monday.

She puts me through to a manager named Robert who really tried to help but his system has issues. Finally he tells me he will call me back in 2 hours to proceed with a replacement. Two hours later he calls me back and says that I should be getting an email from Apple to proceed with the swap and that I will have three business days to respond to it or it will cancel. That was Saturday evening. It's Monday now and I still haven't gotten that email. 🙄

Really starting to wonder about Apple. Is this the new norm there now? I've been very loyal to them over the past 10 years but if it's becoming a one way street I can't help but be concerned.

Anyway if you made it this far thanks for reading. Not sure how this helps anyone but figured it's good therapy for me. 🙂 Have a good day!

 

[rawCpoppa]

I got my APP replaced after waiting 15 business days. Local authorized Apple reseller fulfilled the replacement as there are no Apple stores in my country. They seem to work well so far and the mesh design in these are not flush with the rest of the surface so slight design change from my first pair.

Only issue is I wasn’t returned with the same size buds I submitted. Sent large and was given small with the new pair pros.

 

[ninecows]

Wow I feel bad for you guys, I have mine since this summer and they doesn't do that. But I can hear a white noise when in transparency mode only.

Same here. No issues (yet) apart from a very faint constant white noise in transparency mode. That I think is expected. That HF stuff most be difficult to cancel out.

I’ve even dropped mine down the stairs. Have had them since April.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Just had both of mine replaced at the Apple Store. In and out in 15 minutes sharp, surprisingly hassle-free.

Genius said it’s a new version without the issue but I doubt it...

 

[Princess C.]

Has anyone who is currently out of their one-year warranty been able to do the replacement program online?? I got my left AirPod replaced online during my warranty due to rattlegate and it was an easy process. But now I'm out of the warranty and need the right one replaced.

I don't want to have to go inside the store, but the MacRumors article sounds like you have to get it checked by a tech first.

 

[Prabas]

I wonder what is causing the rattling because if I remove the tip and put the airpod in without it, there is no rattle at all.

 

[rawCpoppa]

I wonder what is causing the rattling because if I remove the tip and put the airpod in without it, there is no rattle at all.

There may be different issues for different rattles maybe. When I removed the tips mine still rattled.

 

[trevorplease]

I just bought some on sale at Target price matching the $169 price and now I see this thread. How can I interpret my serial number? H37DD starting. I rather return new in box and get a Oct 2020 or newer? than to deal with replacements on a brand new product

 

[hashsi99]

Same. Mine start with h19dm. How to tell when made?

 

[AppleHaterLover]

They're not going to replace your AirPods if there is no issue with them yet, much less find one in their inventory that was manufactured at a certain date, unfortunately.

The Apple Store said the ones they gave me as a replacement (both sides, kept my old case) are the new model (hard to believe, since the old ones were manufactured until October...) and the serial number on both of them begins with H2KDC.

 

[steve62388]

They're not going to replace your AirPods if there is no issue with them yet, much less find one in their inventory that was manufactured at a certain date, unfortunately.

The Apple Store said the ones they gave me as a replacement (both sides, kept my old case) are the new model (hard to believe, since the old ones were manufactured until October...) and the serial number on both of them begins with H2KDC.

They might be the new model, check via the serial number. Apple are fairly good with just in time manufacturing, they manage it on a huge scale with iPhones for example.

 

[michial]

I just bought some on sale at Target price matching the $169 price and now I see this thread. How can I interpret my serial number? H37DD starting. I rather return new in box and get a Oct 2020 or newer? than to deal with replacements on a brand new product

The ones I got from Costco yesterday also have H37DDG...I assume these are a new batch.

 

[zkap]

My story is crazy. Over 12 hours invested not including travel time so far.

Two weeks ago I opened a case with Apple about fluttering noises from my APP. I go through some steps and get a warranty replacement approved. I tell them I want a replacement not a mail in swap as I really want to use my APP. The rep makes an appointment for me at my local Best Buy and I'm like..."I don't think they are going to be able to help me." She did it anyway and I figured I'll try. I go there for my scheduled appointment and wait in line for 20 minutes. (I'm in NJ so strict with the Covid procedures.) Finally get to the guy and within 20 seconds he says I don't know what I can do for you. 🙄 Says the best he can offer is for me to send them out and I'd get them back within 7 to 10 business days. I'm like... no. That's not going to work.

I get back in my truck and call Apple. Escalate to a supervisor. She really tries to help and then sets me up with a followup appointment at my local Apple Store. She calls ahead to the store and makes sure there should be no issues with me coming and doing a replacement. Fast forward, I go to the store and get in pretty fast. The guy tells me that they don't have any APP replacements in stock so there is nothing he can do. 😡 He schedules me for a call from Apple to see if they can arrange a shipped replacement where I get them first then return the old ones in a pre-paid postage box they include.

Oh boy...this is where I finally lose it.

I get the call from the guy and we go through new steps which included taking the rubber earpieces off and making sure they were clean and free of particles or something. He finally says he will setup the mail in replacement. Phew. He sends me an an email that says it will cost me $195.72 if I don't return the old ones within 10 days and advises me to fill out the info the form requests. He ASSURES me that there will not be a charge against my account unless we don't return them. I go ahead and proceed with the form he asked me to fill out then click submit.

I bet yall can tell what happened next....

Yup.

I immediately get a notice from my bank stating that Apple just charged me $195.72. I literally flip. I told the rep tht this was not good as this is my bank account and we have pending checks and bills outstanding and this could cause problems. He goes on and on and insists that I am wrong. I send him a screen capture showing the pending charge and how it removed the funds from my account. I have no choice other than to cancel at this point which sucks but had to do it. (My wife was livid too!) He cancels then tells me that the charge should be cancelled and returned to my account within 24 to 48 hours but it is up to my bank. (This was Saturday and it's Monday and the charge still shows as pending.)

That was another hour and a half wasted.

I decide I am going to call back in... one more time.... I am clearly a glutton for punishment. I tell the rep that she needs to get me a senior manager because she won't be able to help me. I politely explain I am really unhappy and if this doesn't get resolved tonight I will call corporate on Monday.

She puts me through to a manager named Robert who really tried to help but his system has issues. Finally he tells me he will call me back in 2 hours to proceed with a replacement. Two hours later he calls me back and says that I should be getting an email from Apple to proceed with the swap and that I will have three business days to respond to it or it will cancel. That was Saturday evening. It's Monday now and I still haven't gotten that email. 🙄

Really starting to wonder about Apple. Is this the new norm there now? I've been very loyal to them over the past 10 years but if it's becoming a one way street I can't help but be concerned.

Anyway if you made it this far thanks for reading. Not sure how this helps anyone but figured it's good therapy for me. 🙂 Have a good day!

For a company that is this successful, it is shocking to read how poorly organized it can be, but I am not surprised by your post. I heard a story about how one of Apple's factories functions and it's not a good image. I guess without Jobs, who was maniacally in control, you have a lot of the organization slipping into this mindset where they default back to finding ways to deny you something in order to save money, because any fee they can save or any replacement device spared is a lot of money accumulated on a large scale such as Apple's. This, however, doesn't help the company's reputation and this is where you need a Steve Jobs, someone with the idea of what the company needs to be and the willingness to push everyone in that direction.

Regardless of what goals a company prioritizes, a high-end brand such as Apple shouldn't make its customers have to go through what you went through. And it's not a fluke either, it's not just one disinterested employee because you made repeated requests towards Apple, they had ample opportunity to set it right and apparently couldn't get it done even with some of their staff actually *trying* to help.

 

[applefan19]

I ordered my APP from the app, received this week, and the box xpsays manufactured in 09 2020... well, I guess the good news is that they qualify for the replacement when issues arise :/

What manufacture dates are affected?

 

[applefan19]

Any known issues with Bluetooth connection? Poor audio quality? What is the process to get a replacement with the pandemic at the moment?

 

[BriceApp]

I just bought some on sale at Target price matching the $169 price and now I see this thread. How can I interpret my serial number? H37DD starting. I rather return new in box and get a Oct 2020 or newer? than to deal with replacements on a brand new product

“The fifth character represent the week in which the device was manufactured. There are 28 possible characters in this spot: the digits 1-9 are used to represent the first through ninth weeks, and the characters C through Y, excluding the vowels A, E, I, O, and U, and the letter S, represent the tenth through twenty-seventh weeks. For devices manufactured in the second half of the year, add 26 to the number represented by the fifth character of the serial number. For example, a product with a serial number whose fourth and fifth digits are “JH” was manufactured in the 40th week of 2012.”

So the 4th character “D” means 2nd half 2020. The 5th character “D” should be 26+9+2=37, so week 37 of 2020 is when they were made. Week 37 is early September.