Apple Extends 13-Inch MacBook Pro Backlight Repair Program

[MobiusStrip]

True. I can excuse occasional defects. But I will not excuse shipping known defective designs for more than one iteration. The "butterfly" keyboards really epitomize that. It was a shìtty design in service of a bankrupt, anti-customer mania for "thinness" perpetrated by a pompous hack (Jony Ive).

People think Apple is somehow "rebellious" or different, but in fact it's sadly political inside where incompetent pets get promoted for years and degrade the company's entire product line. Jony Ive is one example. Randy Ubillos is another.

 

[Joyfulrebellion]

My 4 TB 2017 MBP started with screen issues on the bottom and they are getting continually worse. I did have a bit of a back and forth with Apple, why the 2017s are not included in the screen replacement program. Even played the media card and got the Executive Care team involved. No luck. I am hoping the unit lasts till October. Then I have to decide if it is worth it to buy an aftermarket screen for it & sell it or just sell it for parts - being 4.5 years old at that point...

 

[rpmbp]

I have a MacBook 13 inch 2016 having exactly same issue . The bottom of the screen getting worse day by day. It started with a thin black horizontal line, now it is 1 inch thick black horizontal line. I went to Apple genius bar. They are really genius people. They said only the vertical black lines are considered as per the backlight replacement program. They don't have any backlight replacement program for horizontal lines. Apple charges $470 if I want to fix backlight issue. I asked what is the trade-in value, if I want to buy new Macbook pro ? They said it has zero trade-in value , because of the backlight issue.

 

[Sunil Chowdhary]

Same issue MacBook Pro 2017, eating dust for few months now. Apple authorised service centre say cannot repair it ,will have to replace display which will cost 45000INR

 

[Mehran1989]

Same issue MacBook Pro 2017, eating dust for few months now. Apple authorised service centre say cannot repair it ,will have to replace display which will cost 45000INR

I got the same issue and apple said program only for 2016 model not for 2017, and replacement cost 52K Inr

 

[Slash787]

Same issue MacBook Pro 2017, eating dust for few months now. Apple authorised service centre say cannot repair it ,will have to replace display which will cost 45000INR

WOAH, that is too much! Any idea how much do they charge to replace the battery for the 2017 model?

 

[Alexb35]

Apple this week extended its worldwide 13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program, authorizing coverage for eligible notebooks for up to five years after the original purchase date or up to three years after the start date of the program, whichever is longer. The previous cutoff was four years after the original purchase date.

Apple launched the program on May 21, 2019 after determining that a "very small percentage" of 13-inch MacBook Pro units sold between October 2016 and February 2018 may exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the display or a backlight that stops working completely. Only the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) are eligible.

To identify which Mac model you have, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and then select "About This Mac" in the menu. Apple has not expanded the program to any other MacBook models at this time.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro units, free of charge. To initiate the repair process, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website. If you believe your MacBook Pro was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a potential refund.

In 2019, repair website iFixit reported that the backlight issues are caused by a delicate flex cable that can wear out and break after repeated opening and closing of the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple extended the length of the flex cable by 2mm in 2018 models, which seemingly fixed the issue.

Article Link: Apple Extends 13-Inch MacBook Pro Backlight Repair Program

Hello,
Thank you for this very interesting information!

In fact, we encountered this "backlighting of the LCD panel" problem on November 15, 2021, with our MacBook pro 13, purchased on October 18, 2017.

You should know that the "Backlight repair program" also concerns the problem related to the "angle sensor": the screen of the MacBook pro 13 works when it is opened up to 45 °, but the screen goes black when it is open beyond 45 °.

Unfortunately, Apple support does not seem to follow through on its promise to take care of this issue and is doing everything to dissuade us. I made the request first at the Genius bar, then by phone to Apple support +33 0805540003 then on their advice by registered letter to Apple France Support, Apple Distribution International Limited, HollyHill Industrial Estate, Cork, Republic of Ireland

Indeed, the repair program concerns MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
But the problem is starting to show up on MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) models like mine.
It is therefore time for Apple to extend its repair program to the 2017 MacBook Pro!
If you have the same problem, let us know.
Best regards,
Alexis

 

[MobiusStrip]

The 15" MBPs were also plagued by this or a similar defect. I had the screen on my 2108 model replaced.

Apple ran the ribbon cable for the screen through a hinge.

It's not so much that Apple implements stupid designs; it's that they stick with them and screw their customers. The "butterfly keyboard" fiasco exemplifies that better than any other Apple failure in recent memory.

Another one was the idiotic laptop design that caused the keys to press into the LCD panel when the computer was closed, which eventually destroyed the panel. Retarded.

Now we have ridiculously oversized trackpads that are causing spurious right-clicks and causing the cursor to jump all over the screen as you're trying to type. Why are some divisions of Apple plagued with morons, while others clearly have some very bright people?

 

[caranddriver]

Appears they never bothered to extend to same defective 2017 models. My nephew cracked his replaced screen (paid out of pocket) and so just bought him a MB Air 8/512 8GPU instead. He really likes the battery life, updated keyboard and touch ID.

 

[dgMAC72]

My 2016 15” MBP has exactly the same issue. Stage lights from about 30-80° then a black screen beyond that. Would I have to pay for a repair?

Hi jacq, I have also the same model, with the same pb. I contacted APPLE care but they refuse to take the repair under the programme because the programme only covers the 13"...they argue that to their knowledge I am the only one with this problem. Yet when I see the issue with the 13" my laptop has exactly the same issue.....
SO HERE IS THE PLAN. We need to gather together 5 or more MACbook pro 15" owners (year 2016 2017) and collectively approach APPLE CARE again to file an official complain.
I am confident they will recognise this model to be included in their Repair programme.
Can you contact me in private on linkedin pls? david gabriel gueguen

PS; if yo know other owners let me know so we can reach the minimum number of cases to file the complain. thx in advance

 

[dgMAC72]

The 15" MBPs were also plagued by this or a similar defect. I had the screen on my 2108 model replaced.

Apple ran the ribbon cable for the screen through a hinge.

It's not so much that Apple implements stupid designs; it's that they stick with them and screw their customers. The "butterfly keyboard" fiasco exemplifies that better than any other Apple failure in recent memory.

Another one was the idiotic laptop design that caused the keys to press into the LCD panel when the computer was closed, which eventually destroyed the panel. Retarded.

Now we have ridiculously oversized trackpads that are causing spurious right-clicks and causing the cursor to jump all over the screen as you're trying to type. Why are some divisions of Apple plagued with morons, while others clearly have some very bright people?

Hi Mobius,

I am surprised by this, I tried with APPLE CARE and they officially refused to take the repair becasue I have a 15". This programme only covers 13". Can you make contact with me in private on linkedin david gabriel gueguen pls?

I have also the same model, with the same pb. I contacted APPLE care but they refuse to take the repair under the programme because the programme only covers the 13"...they argue that to their knowledge I am the only one with this problem. Yet when I see the issue with the 13" my laptop has exactly the same issue.....
SO HERE IS THE PLAN. We need to gather together 5 or more MACbook pro 15" owners (year 2016 2017) and collectively approach APPLE CARE again to file an official complain.
I am confident they will recognise this model to be included in their Repair programme.
Can you contact me in private on linkedin pls? david gabriel gueguen

PS; if yo know other owners let me know so we can reach the minimum number of cases to file the complain. thx in advance

 

[dgMAC72]

Hi Antony

I have also the same model, with the same pb. I contacted APPLE care but they refuse to take the repair under the programme because the programme only covers the 13"...they argue that to their knowledge I am the only one with this problem. Yet when I see the issue with the 13" my laptop has exactly the same issue.....

SO HERE IS THE PLAN. We need to gather together 5 or more MACbook pro 15" owners (year 2016 2017) and collectively approach APPLE CARE again to file an official complain.
I am confident they will recognise this model to be included in their Repair programme.
Can you contact me in private on linkedin pls? david gabriel gueguen

PS; if yo know other owners let me know so we can reach the minimum number of cases to file the complain. thx in advance

 

[Black Magic]

I have also the same model, with the same pb. I contacted APPLE care but they refuse to take the repair under the programme because the programme only covers the 13"...they argue that to their knowledge I am the only one with this problem. Yet when I see the issue with the 13" my laptop has exactly the same issue.....

SO HERE IS THE PLAN. We need to gather together 5 or more MACbook pro 15" owners (year 2016 2017) and collectively approach APPLE CARE again to file an official complain.
I am confident they will recognise this model to be included in their Repair programme.
Can you contact me in private on linkedin pls? david gabriel gueguen

PS; if yo know other owners let me know so we can reach the minimum number of cases to file the complain. thx in advance

Whatever happened with this? I know someone that has a 15" 2018 where the backlight went out. Only way to get it working is to screen share to external monitor.

 

[makra]

Whatever happened with this? I know someone that has a 15" 2018 where the backlight went out. Only way to get it working is to screen share to external monitor.

Here's joining the team. I just got a 15" from a friend with the very problem. Not much to be done diy, I guess? I'll use it in clamshell mode - unless someone successfully has had success repairing it. Still a nice machine.