Sticking Keys on 2016 MBP

[Bielski]

I took my 2016 MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) into the genius bar today to look at 4 keys that are sticking on the keyboard. They type fine, but do not have the same spring and click as the others. I've read that this is an issue with the butterfly keyboard design. Unfortunately, my machine is 3 weeks out of warranty and apple is quoting me $475 to replace the keyboard because of possibly some debris under the keys. In fairness, they will try and remove the keys, clear any debris, and replace them for free, but they say that these new keyboard mechanisms are fragile.

I bought the machine on 12/31/16 before they changed the apple care purchase cut off from 1 year to just 60 days. When I tried in December to buy apple care I was told I wasn't eligible.

Has anyone experience these keyboard issues and any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[groove-agent]

If you look through the forums you'll see many people with similar problems. I would go back and make a stink and show them how many people on this forum have had problems with the keyboards. This is a design flaw, nothing you've done wrong. If you're loud enough, they'll likely do something about it, esp. if there are others around you thinking about buying one.

Interestingly I was at an Apple Store today and asked the Apple salesperson that I wanted to buy an MBP but I wasn't confident with the keyboard problems they had. He shyly looked at me and said he hadn't heard of any keyboard problems but assured me to it would be covered by the warranty if there was one. We could tell he was playing dumb, but was likely told not to admit it. A couple behind me were about to buy a 2017 and I was thinking of warning them about the keyboards but I didn't want to be *that* guy. However after reading this post, I feel like I should have told them to google the issue and make an informed decision before buying. It's not fair that customers should be on the hook for this repair.

Guaranteed there is going to be a class action lawsuit once warranties start to expire and enough people are on the hook for a $675 top case replacement. I can't see any judge, agreeing that a $4000 laptop should be prone to common dirt and debris.

I'm so disappointed in Apple for making such a crappy keyboard and expecting their customers to pay out of pocket to for one, fix it and secondly, having to pay for an entire top case replacement due to horrible repairability.

 

[ronaldcastillo]

You actually can still purchase the regular AppleCare within a year of your purchase date. You just had to call them or do it online through your My Support profile.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

They have offered to clean the keys for free, before people start crying wolf over entire top case replacement costs.

Also AppleCare+ is the 60 day one, which includes accidental damage. Regular AppleCare is still 1 year. AC+ was also only initiated on the 2017 models, so I'm not sure but you may have misunderstood or been looking at the wrong thing with regards to your warranty.

 

[Bielski]

To clarify, they did offer to remove and clean the keys free of charge, but with the caveat that they are very brittle and there are no guarantees that the mechanism won't break when they attempt to remove them. If THEY break it, then it will cost me $475 to replace the top case and keyboard.

 

[lpolarityl]

You could have still added the normal AppleCare extended warranty, if it was added prior to 1/1/18 (since you purchased it on 12/31/16). You have a year from purchase date to add the AppleCare extension. AppleCare + has to be purchased within 60 days. Like @New_Mac_Smell stated, AppleCare + was introduced on 2017 models.

 

[Bielski]

You could have still added the normal AppleCare extended warranty, if it was added prior to 1/1/18 (since you purchased it on 12/31/16). You have a year from purchase date to add the AppleCare extension. AppleCare + has to be purchased within 60 days. Like @New_Mac_Smell stated, AppleCare + was introduced on 2017 models.

I tried to add AppleCare back in December though My Support and Plus was the only option and it showed online that I wasn't eligible anymore. I emailed Apple Care and got no response.

The bigger issue is that if Apple breaks my keyboard while removing keys, they will bill me $475 to replace the ENTIRE top case. It's like a mechanic breaking a knob on my radio and making me replace the entire dashboard.