Battery recall program, 15 inch MBP mid 2015.

[bigboy529]

Hi all
I got a mail again this evening to remind me of the battery recall program launched in 2019 which effects some mid 2015, 15 inch Macbook Pro models, I checked my serial number and mine is eligible for a battery replacement.

I remember first getting a mail about this I think in the beginning of 2020 somewhere, back then I enquired with Digicape, they said they take in the machine, assess it, order the parts from the US and then do the replacement and all of this can take up to 28 days. Back then my machine was critical for my work and I couldn't afford to be without it for so long, plus my battery was still fine so I continued with life.

I still use this MBP on a daily basis though it's no longer critical for my work and I will be able to go without it for a while, the battery is a bit older now but can still get threw around half a day of light work.

This got me thinking whether I should maybe enquire with Digicape or iStore again about having this done.
Big Sur is most probably its last OS update but I think I can still get a few years from this machine since it suits my current needs just fine and getting a new battery for it will be a big bonus.

Anyone had something like this done locally with Digicape or iStore and how did it go, do we even have techs in SA who can slice open a Macbook Pro and sew it back together without buggering it up completely?

 

[Speedster]

I had a screen replacement on my Mac under a similar recall. Took it in to the iStore, they booked it in and had it back in less than a week. No issues.

 

[Tman*]

Please remember to backup your data before you book the laptop in

 

[bwana]

Anyone had something like this done locally with Digicape or iStore and how did it go, do we even have techs in SA who can slice open a Macbook Pro and sew it back together without buggering it up completely?

I had the screen recall done on the same model at the istore (twice). No problems with their service.

 

[Leno]

I wonder if they will mind that I loaded Ubuntu on mine

You can see the bottom case is uneven, possibly swollen battery

Edit: Hmm looks like mine is early 2015

 

[bigboy529]

I contacted iStore, they say I must first make a tech support appointment with my closest iStore, they will then check whether it's eligible, if it is they will send it in and it will be done.
They say usually it takes between 5 to 7 working days, so let's see how it goes, I've got nothing to lose.

 

[bigboy529]

Ok my Macbook is in and iStore will be sending it to their service center.
Just a note for future reference, they advise you to backup your data which is a obvious thing, but now with the POPIA act they must actually format the device before sending it in, so I had to format it in store.

 

[Speedster]

Ok my Macbook is in and iStore will be sending it to their service center.
Just a note for future reference, they advise you to backup your data which is a obvious thing, but now with the POPIA act they must actually format the device before sending it in, so I had to format it in store.

That's interesting about POPIA. I guess it's a good idea to run TimeMachine before taking it in then

 

[bigboy529]

That's interesting about POPIA. I guess it's a good idea to run TimeMachine before taking it in then

That's interesting about POPIA. I guess it's a good idea to run TimeMachine before taking it in then

I anyway run TimeMachine on mine quite regularly and did so this morning as well.
I however got a bit slack with my backups, I used to always backup to a second HDD as well, but I last did it months ago. This morning wanting to backup to the second drive, I couldn't find it anywhere, so now my backup is only on a single HDD.

P.S. I wonder when Apple will start allowing TimeMachine backups to the cloud.

 

[bigboy529]

I got my MBP back just now, I was quite surprised when I got a email this morning saying it's ready for pickup.
I got a new battery and entire new top case around the keyboard and trackpad, all at no charge.
I don't know if they replace the top case as standard when doing batteries or whether they somehow damaged it in the process, but I'm not complaining.

My trackpad is also working a bit better than before, I don't know if the bulging battery effected it a bit or whether it was just dirty or something, but it's much better now.

Not too bad for a 5 year old laptop, thanks Apple.

 

[Speedster]

I got my MBP back just now, I was quite surprised when I got a email this morning saying it's ready for pickup.
I got a new battery and entire new top case around the keyboard and trackpad, all at no charge.
I don't know if they replace the top case as standard when doing batteries or whether they somehow damaged it in the process, but I'm not complaining.

My trackpad is also working a bit better than before, I don't know if the bulging battery effected it a bit or whether it was just dirty or something, but it's much better now.

Not too bad for a 5 year old laptop, thanks Apple.

My F key broke off... (cue F-off jokes...). I see there is a keyboard replacement program for my model so I guess I'll be taking mine in too.

 

[Leno]

The backup thing has been for a while, often they will replace the whole bottom half of the macbook including logic board - and the storage is onboard

I wonder how they verify that your formatted if your mac is not working at all lol

 

[neoprema]

I got my MBP back just now, I was quite surprised when I got a email this morning saying it's ready for pickup.
I got a new battery and entire new top case around the keyboard and trackpad, all at no charge.
I don't know if they replace the top case as standard when doing batteries or whether they somehow damaged it in the process, but I'm not complaining.

My trackpad is also working a bit better than before, I don't know if the bulging battery effected it a bit or whether it was just dirty or something, but it's much better now.

Not too bad for a 5 year old laptop, thanks Apple.

If the battery was the cause of the case damage which it sounds like it is it would be replaced as well. Similarly if a manufacturer for example recalled a battery for leakage, and it had leaked onto a component - they would replace it as well. Nasty from a cost-loss perspective for the manufacturer but such is what it is, you have to guarantee what you guarantee.

 

[EPICURE]

Congratulations for getting your battery replaced under the program. One of our 2015 Macbook Pro's is not eligible for the recall. Does anyone know what the battery replacement costs in South Africa?