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Can anyone clarify?

The site for mine says:

"The serial number you entered may be eligible for this program. Please choose one of the service options below."

Does that mean I could bring it in to Apple, not have a laptop for 1-2 weeks, and they might potentially do nothing? Or are they replacing batteries on all of these models?

I got the same message. Did an online chat with Apple right now. I will be dropping off my MBP at the Apple Store this weekend. From the online chat, what I was told is that the technicians will run diagnostic tests to see if I qualify.
 
I'm currently on my third battery from Apple. First two were covered under Applecare, but I had to pay $200 for the last time. Each time the batteries were swollen, as you can see in the pic. My serial isn't part of the program, but I am still going to try and get the battery fee refunded.

IMG_2971.jpg
 
Brought my MBP in for a battery replacement two months ago because the battery was swollen. Even could not close the lid anymore. Asked if there was a replacement program, but Apple employee told me there was no such thing. Just called Apple to ask for a refund, because the employees also just were informed they could not tell yet. Made a new appointment for next week to see if i will get a refund. My MBP is, even the battery is replaced less than 2 months ago, still eligible for a battery replacement....
 
Still the pinnacle of Apple's laptop design. I almost wish my late-2013 was affected haha I could use a new battery...

Yep love mine, still the best, what they should have done is kept it the same and just space greyed it, that was ALL THAT WAS NEEDED... Since then I can no longer recommend MBP's to friends anymore. Now I just say go grab whatever ... end of an era.
 
all these fix-it programs apple is having recently....on one hand its good they are proving the service, but on the other hand what does it say about their product quality?

Not much, unless there's a battery vendor with a proven record of consistent better quality.
 
Neither of mine seem to apply. Bought the first 2015 15” in July 2017, second one for my gal in Nov 2018. Ran the serial on both and the first one didn’t list a mfg date. Second was made mid 2018 so I can see why that one doesn’t qualify. Both purchased NIB from B&H video. Maybe the first one will be ok.
 
My 2015 13" MBP spends most of its time in clamshell mode, in a twelve south vertical stand, half hidden behind my monitor and I use an external KB and Magic Trackpad 2.. Not having to reboot very often, I pay little attention to it. One time last year, something hung and I had to actually open it up to get at the power button for a shutdown/restart. The attached pics are what I saw! Took it to my local Apple Service Provider (not a Best Buy). They replaced the battery (obviously), lower case and keyboard ) and maybe the trackpad (don't exactly remember. All under warranty and had it back to me late the next day! I was pleasantly surprised at the quick turnaround and glad the thing didn't explode.View attachment 844108 View attachment 844109

Same things happened to my 2014 macbook pro after years mostly spent in clamshell. It was out of warranty thus the battery + top case replacement cost me the standard 200 euros.
 
My 2016 MBP w/Touch Bar just started having its battery rapidly expand this week to the point its now warping the bottom and top of the lower part of the laptop and doesn’t sit flat on the desk and there’s a good centimeter gap where the lid doesn’t close. I went to an Apple Store yesterday to see about walk-in availability. They looked at the laptop said, said yeah that’s definitely a swollen battery, but that they wouldn’t be able to see me until Saturday and to just go online and request a box from Apple to send it in. Needless to say, they seemed way less concerned about it being a fire hazard than I did.
 
Same here. Mine has been heating up and the fan ramps up to cool it down daily with no underlying processes to cause it to happen. Losing faith in Apple's quality. They would not honor my earlier MBP Nvidia board problem which makes that computer useless for even web browsing. :(
 
I'm currently on my third battery from Apple. First two were covered under Applecare, but I had to pay $200 for the last time. Each time the batteries were swollen, as you can see in the pic. My serial isn't part of the program, but I am still going to try and get the battery fee refunded.

View attachment 844213

What are the signs of a defective battery beyond the obvious physical looks near the trackpad? Or is it the case that if your battery has this problem, it will always be obvious by inspecting the computer case?

I have a mid-2015 Macbook Pro, not on the current defective list but a few months ago an odd problem began, when I close the lid to put the computer to sleep, it sometimes springs back up a slight amount, if I close it again it often will fully seal, could this be a magnet or hinge issue, is this the beginning of a battery problem?

The battery health reads "good":

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 8772

Fully Charged: Yes

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 9154

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 124

Condition: Normal

I understand I can bring it to an Apple Store and have it looked at but I'm trying to avoid that hassle.
 
Mine made in 2015-11-23, battery made 2015-10-22.

So either not every model, or the system is confused since I took my computer in once to get a battery replaced, but didn't actually do it since I was 200 miles away from home, and didn't want to return in 2 weeks.

Battery down to 75% of capacity, so I was hoping for the free replacement.

You can also try the app cocnutBattery. In the main menu here is a 'Mac info...' and 'Battery info...' button which gives you more accurate information about the age/date of the MacBook Pro and battery. Mine are from august and september 2016, so it's really strange the Apple site doesn't accept the serial.
 
Brought my MBP in for a battery replacement two months ago because the battery was swollen. Even could not close the lid anymore. Asked if there was a replacement program, but Apple employee told me there was no such thing. Just called Apple to ask for a refund, because the employees also just were informed they could not tell yet. Made a new appointment for next week to see if i will get a refund. My MBP is, even the battery is replaced less than 2 months ago, still eligible for a battery replacement....

I had the same thing happen - battery was so swollen that only two feet would touch the table at a time. Took it in to have battery replaced - it was out of warranty (2016 model) and there were no programs at that time - so I had to pay.

I called them last night and they are issuing me a refund in the next 15 days. I had to stay on the line for a bit while 2 different people spoke to supervisors, but they didn't once tell me no.

Hopefully you'll get your money back, too.
 
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They should really start doing this in store. Having to be without my MacBook Pro for 1-2 weeks because your battery is a fire hazard is kinda lame.

But on the other hand, at least my battery is getting replaced for free.
 
That explains why my battery was replaced free of charge back in April for my swollen battery! The lid wouldn't even close properly and it was rocking when put on a flat surface - only noticed due to the lid as I used to keep mine plugged into an external monitor with the lid closed.

53121221-256752218544316-8227248814583447552-n.jpg
 
They should really start doing this in store. Having to be without my MacBook Pro for 1-2 weeks because your battery is a fire hazard is kinda lame.

But on the other hand, at least my battery is getting replaced for free.

The estimates are always way longer than reality. Now, with a big program like this, who knows.. but when I had mine replaced they gave me a week estimate and it was 2 days AND they overnighted the machine back to house for no additional charge.
 
The estimates are always way longer than reality. Now, with a big program like this, who knows.. but when I had mine replaced they gave me a week estimate and it was 2 days AND they overnighted the machine back to house for no additional charge.
Hopefully mine gets done within a few days...I leave town on Monday, but they will ship it back to store instead of my house once it's finished. I've been checking the "Check repair" page at Apple and it still hasn't even shown up that they're doing anything with it yet. The Genius yesterday had to put it under a generic flat rate repair and waive the charge because it wasn't in their system properly yet...
 
Awesome, mine got fixed last year apparently when I had to send it in twice for 2 top case replacements.

From apple SN verification

Mine was changed when it became bloated in 2017, and I had to pay for this since it was out of warranty. Now it is getting bloated again, the replacement is again out of warranty but I got that "Our records show that your device has already been serviced as part of this Program." message :-(
 
They should really start doing this in store. Having to be without my MacBook Pro for 1-2 weeks because your battery is a fire hazard is kinda lame.

But on the other hand, at least my battery is getting replaced for free.

Perhaps Apple thinks some will buy an iPad to tide them over while the battery is being replaced.
 
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