Comments on: Apple MacBook Pro 17″ Core Duo “Swollen Battery”

By: Blog4Money

Blog4Money — Sun, 30 May 2010 02:12:44 +0000

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By: kendal

kendal — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:55:50 +0000

we had a battery on a computer that was out of warranty have a battery go bad at the agency i work at. the IT took it to the apple store where it was replaced with some attitude. A month later my home computer does the same. The apple store told me no and offered $30 off a new battery to which i said was unacceptable. another example of different treatment for the same issue. i left and called apple and got the same song. that the battery is designed to do that. BS! i have two older laptops at home that have not done anything like that. what engineer would design a battery to explode when it was used up and potentially destroy the computer or injure a person?

shame on you Apple. i thought much more of you, your products and your customer service before today and don’t mind telling the world about it

By: Travis

Travis — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:52:50 +0000

I just had this issue arise with my almost 3 year old 17″ MBP. With 190 cycles on the battery I began having abrupt shut down issues, then I noticed my mouse button not clicking and etc…flipped over my machine and saw that the battery was swollen.
I called Apple and had no problem getting a replacement sent out. (I’m in the USA and I have about 4 months of Apple Care remaining.) The techs at Apple were very friendly, helpful and courteous.
However I was told that this is a “saftey mechinism” to prevent the faulty battery from damaging the machine. I call total BS on that. These batteries are faulty and this is a design/manufacturing flaw with them. No battery should EVER swell like this during normal operation even if it’s past it’s useful lifespan.
Total BS that folks in Europe are not getting any remedy for this. Swollen batteries can leak and you don’t want those chemicals getting on anything in your house or on your person. Period.

By: geno

geno — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:22:06 +0000

In our research lab (Belgium) we have 8 MBPs, 15 or 17 inch.
3 of them had a swollen battery (each shortly after one year of use). After taking the battery out, the battery kept on swelling up to double heigth.
Applecare replaced 2 batteries for free, but only after long telephone chats.
They (both the reseller where I bought a 3 year warranty pack, as Apple) refuse to replace third battery now (16 months old, no Applecare on this MBP) because it had little more then 300 cycles. They refuse to recognize it as a production fault.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:39:13 +0000

I too have a swollen battery and am looking at various forums where there is clearly evidence that there is a problem with the macbook pro 17 inch battery. I have had mine replaced once whilst under warrenty, but now that the new one is out of warranty they will not replace it even though they admit it is a fault with the battery, they say it is a safety measure.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:22:24 +0000

Two things I think helped me:

1.) I was able to go to an Apple store and talk to a Mac Genius directly.
2.) I got incredibly lucky that the gentleman I spoke with agreed that the battery should never do this and was willing to help me.

Its really easy for customer service people to blow you off over the phone, especially when they are probably told not to replace these batteries, especially when they are out of warranty. At this point, if you don’t have an Apple Store near you (I’m not sure if they are around in other countries), you might try and Authorized Reseller. Other than that, you might just have to bite the bullet and buy another one. Good luck!

By: Inge

Inge — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:17:56 +0000

I got the same problem as Hans ! Apple Belgium told me they could not replace it for free, because it was out of warranty, they could not do anything about it. The guy i talked to on the phone said it was a common problem after two years of use, the battery swells as a protection reflex. Any ides on what to do next ? You think i should just buy a new battery ?

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:05:33 +0000

I guess its starting to sound more like I got lucky and found a Mac Genius who truly wanted to help me. Maybe that kind of service isn’t at all Apple Stores. However, I’d have told the guy that if the battery just died then ok, no problem, I’ll buy a new one. But to swell up and cause a potential health issue or injury just isn’t kosher in my opinion. I’m glad that you were able to get your battery replaced though.

By: Jaan

Jaan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:29:17 +0000

I had the same problem here in Allentown. Battery was HUGE and affected the trackpad action. Probably 2 to 3 years old. I went to the store with the battery expecting an easy exchange, but got some attitude in the process. “This one time we will make an exception” (whispering – pointing to the computer screen behind the genius bar) “The battery is a “consumerable” good and is not expected to last more than 12 months” “Your computer is not covered anymore because you did not sign up for Apple’s extended care” “You cant have the packaging for the battery – we need it to return the old one”

I left feeling small and dirty, and although I did not have to spend 129 bucks, I would not call it a happy experience. I guess you have to expect some condescension or snobbery in exchange for the best products?

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:53:15 +0000

Hans, that’s too bad. I really think a lot of my success story has to do with talking to the right person face to face at an Apple Store. Basically showing him my well taken care of MBP and saying that this just all of a sudden happened. The guy was more than happy to take care of me. Too bad you couldn’t get the same from Apple over the phone.