MacBook Pro 15'' 2015 - swollen battery for the second time

[Stavros86]

The laptop was purchased in summer 2015. In the summer of 2019, I had to replace the battery due to it having gotten swollen.
I should note that my unit did not qualify for the free battery replacement program that Apple had at that time. Yesterday, I noticed that this two-year old replacement battery has started to become swollen, as well. Right now, is in the early stage, so it is not pushing neither the top case nor the back plate. However, if I leave as is, it will, soon enough.

I understand it is somewhat normal for a 4-year old battery to show such signs of usage, but a two-year old battery, with only 219 charge cycles, to have gotten swollen, I believe it is unacceptable.

At this point, I am disappointed at Apple. Giving them another $200 for a new battery, is not worth it. I am seriously considering to just disconnect the battery and leave it on the laptop, until I really need the device be portable again.

Are there any other users with a similar experience?

 

[Macbookprodude]

Sounds like the battery you got was defective. I would show that to Apple and tell them, yell if you have to, NO WAY ANOTHER 200 FOR BATTERY I PAY WILL NOT !!! FIX IT !

 

[dumastudetto]

Two years is outside of warranty so you'll need to pay.

If you've used the laptop extensively, and really put stress on the battery, $200 is a fair price to get a new one.

 

[Macbookprodude]

I still prefer my method, especially since Apple sold the OP a defective one. My method works great and I always get what I want

 

[wilberforce]

Do you keep it plugged in to power most of the time?
I discovered this was not a good idea on my 2015 MPB, and led to a swollen battery.
Not meaning to imply it is your fault, but something to consider for the future.
Newer Macs have better battery management, and tolerate being left plugged in much better.

 

[Miltz]

The laptop was purchased in summer 2015. In the summer of 2019, I had to replace the battery due to it having gotten swollen.
I should note that my unit did not qualify for the free battery replacement program that Apple had at that time. Yesterday, I noticed that this two-year old replacement battery has started to become swollen, as well. Right now, is in the early stage, so it is not pushing neither the top case nor the back plate. However, if I leave as is, it will, soon enough.

I understand it is somewhat normal for a 4-year old battery to show such signs of usage, but a two-year old battery, with only 219 charge cycles, to have gotten swollen, I believe it is unacceptable.

At this point, I am disappointed at Apple. Giving them another $200 for a new battery, is not worth it. I am seriously considering to just disconnect the battery and leave it on the laptop, until I really need the device be portable again.

Are there any other users with a similar experience?

Do you leave it plugged in a lot at 100%?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I've got a question for you:
Are you one of the "I leave the charger plugged in and on all the time" guys...?

 

[Stavros86]

Thank you all for the replies.

The laptop primarily stays connected to the power adapter, as it serves as my main work computer. I just make sure to drain the battery up to 15% twice or so per week and unplug it during after-hours/night and put it to sleep.

 

[Miltz]

Well then that explains it. Don’t do it again.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Your battery maintenance schedule (as per reply 8 above) seems sound.

Was the first battery replacement in 2019 done by Apple?
Or was it a "3rd-party" battery?

If it was me, I'd take it to Apple and see if I could get the $199 replacement. That's not really a bad price, considering that you get an Apple-labeled battery, installation, and a short warranty...

 

[Stavros86]

It was replaced by Apple, in August 2019.

 

[GoztepeEge]

The laptop was purchased in summer 2015. In the summer of 2019, I had to replace the battery due to it having gotten swollen.
I should note that my unit did not qualify for the free battery replacement program that Apple had at that time. Yesterday, I noticed that this two-year old replacement battery has started to become swollen, as well. Right now, is in the early stage, so it is not pushing neither the top case nor the back plate. However, if I leave as is, it will, soon enough.

I understand it is somewhat normal for a 4-year old battery to show such signs of usage, but a two-year old battery, with only 219 charge cycles, to have gotten swollen, I believe it is unacceptable.

At this point, I am disappointed at Apple. Giving them another $200 for a new battery, is not worth it. I am seriously considering to just disconnect the battery and leave it on the laptop, until I really need the device be portable again.

Are there any other users with a similar experience?

How do you use your battery? Plugged in all the time and stays at 100%? or what else?

Thank you all for the replies.

The laptop primarily stays connected to the power adapter, as it serves as my main work computer. I just make sure to drain the battery up to 15% twice or so per week and unplug it during after-hours/night and put it to sleep.

Ah then I got the answer. I did not read, sorry.
Okay, if this is the case, this might be the main problem. When you put the battery at 100% for long times, it damages the battery easily. It also accelerates the degrading as well. So no one should do this like that.

However, 2 years is not an enough time to kill a battery. If you are sure that the battery is "swollen", it is probably the battery defect. It is because even you use it at 100% all the time, always plugged in, you would expect a less health like 80% maybe, but no swollen battery issue.