Apple's bloating batteries (Update)

Since we first blogged about it, our older Apple MacBook Pro battery continued to expand even more than the photo at the right, popping open eventually.

What did not continue was Apple's "battery exchange program"—it closed a year ago. And Apple's battery update notice, recommending a software update and offering a free replacement battery to MacBook and MacBook Pro owners whose batteries had "visibly deformed," also closed in May, 2009.

If you have this problem, other than buying a new battery for more than $100, your only recourse is to try to get Apple to grant you an out-of-warranty replacement. We suggest speaking with a customer satisfaction representative, and refer to our original blog posting, Apple's bloating batteries, to emphasize that you are not the only victim of this design flaw. —Dean Gallea

Comments

[Gary Quigley]

Just had an alarming morning... As I placed my laptop onto the laptop cooler I noticed it was wobbling, "funny" I thought, "must be a cable under it". I turned it over, Ahhhhhhhhhhh... My battery has put on weight, its burst out of its armoured suit...

Seriously, It's split open the aluminium cover.. What the hell is this, I better call Apple...

I spoke to two different tech guys, Tony and then Luke, according to Luke (the supervisor) "apparently the battery is out of warranty, its 2.5 years old, and anyway its a 'consumable'. The swelling is a 'safety feature' to help vent gas".

The advice from the tech at Apple Support was "buy a new one" and he could "sell me it now" Eh? This is not what I read on multiple web sites, he had just lied to me, the battery design is defective, swelling is not a safety feature its a defect.

I thought the tech guys where incredibly smug given the fact that I called over a potentially dangerous product they sold me, acid leak anyone?

Of course "No" was my answer to his kind offer, its funny how he knew the list price of the battery, when I asked him if this was due to numerous complaints he said he knew most list prices for components as he does "a lot of repairs". I asked if this was due to bad design and manufacture he didn't comment.

He asked me to check the battery staus, only 223 cycle, he made no comment on that only that it was "old and should be replaced as it is at the end of its life cycle".

In my opinion Apple sold me a defective device as web site after site reports on similar problems.

I didnt consider it to be a "consumable", nobody mentioned this to me when I bought the laptop. I asked him about the new macbook pro with the non-replacable battery, if that would have the same issues, he said "no this is a new technology, we dont use that battery technology anymore".

He then suggested "Its like when you buy a car, you don't expect the battery to last forever" He really said that..

He then added "And if you don't replace the battery and any damage is caused, its your responsibility because we told you to replace the battery". No. if the battery they sold me explodes its Apple's problem.

I ended the conversation then feeling the guy was starting to take the mick out of me due to his tone.

What should I do? I know know that they guaranteed batteries for 300 cycles. I don't want to buy a replacement, and honestly don't think I should.

I am prepared to let it be to see what happens, I paid over €2k for my laptop, nobody told me the battery was a "consumable"..

[Chris R.]

My Macbook Pro kept on shutting off very suddenly about a week ago. At first I thought it was an overheating issue. I then noticed yesterday that my laptop was not sitting level on the table. When I flipped it over, the battery had expanded.

I called Apple, and was told this was normal wear for a battery like mine and that he would be more than happy to place my order for a new one. I told him I've had laptops for years and nothing like this was normal, this was a design flaw. I wanted him to do the right thing and replace it. No such luck, he restated, then asked for my personal info for my new order. I told him I would expect this of Dell not Apple and hung up.

I'm going to the Chicago store and I hope they do the right thing.
The worst part of this is that when Apple was not a popular computer, they went out of their way to correct any issue I might have had. I never felt like I’d be left hanging, especially since I put out a ton of money for every product I had purchased from them. The last few years I have watched them become a company they use to demonize. That Apple put out a phone that could not copy and paste really sunk my heart and now this. They seem to be riding on the coat tales of the past and a fancy design interface. Nice job Gates you trained them well.

[Weixin Shi]

I just noticed today (Aug 1, 2009) that the battery on my 2.5 year old macbook is bulging. I went online to research the problem and found this blog. I know my computer is out of warranty, but I was relieved when I saw the posts by Dave and Dennis, so I called Apple.

Unfortunately, the guy I spoke to insist that I have to pay for a new battery. When asked to speak to a supervisor, he responded "I am the supervisor and I have made the decision". Dave and Dennis, perhaps you could tell us which number you called?

[Dave Digerati]

I just got off the phone with Apple (July 30, 2009) and they agreed to replace my MacBook battery that had swollen in the last month, DESPITE being out of warranty, no Apple Care, and the replacement program had ended! Thank you Apple!

[Dennis J. Glover]

I experienced the "bloating battery" problem on my first generation MacBook just last month. Even though my warranty had long since expired and I missed the window on the battery exchange problem, I tried calling Apple anyway. Apple's answer? No problem, dude! They replaced my battery without a hassle or charge. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA. The nearest Apple Store is 417 miles away in another province. So they Fedexed it to me. It took exactly 23 hours and 12 minutes from my original call. I know. I timed it as I followed my battery's voyage online from California to Texas to British Columbia to Alberta to Saskatchewan to me. Now THAT'S customer service! It's also a big part of the reason I'm ordering a new MacBook Pro. (Besides the obvious reason that OS X totally rocks and I dig it the most!)

[William P.]

I'm on the third battery in my affected Macbook Pro. The most recent swollen battery was replaced last month. I visited the Apple Store in Fort Worth, TX, and the battery was replaced without question. The "Genius" made the comment, "Perhaps the third time's a charm." It would have been a cute comment if I didn't know it was disingenuous ("luck" won't make this problem go away, and I'm sure he knew that).

Were it not for the battery swelling issue, I'd likely keep this computer for a while, as it is otherwise a great machine. As it stands, I'd like to put a few rounds of buckshot through it, then mail it to 1 Infinite Loop.

Thanks, Apple.