Recall update: Over 400,000 laptops recalled after injury reports

By Kim Komando

July 3, 2019

Product recalls are a strange ordeal. Not only are users informed that their beloved product could be dangerous to use, but they’re often required to return or replace the entire unit. This can be a pain if it’s an essential item like a phone or computer, but ultimately, safety is a top priority. After all, we don’t want anyone getting hurt like the victims of Samsung’s exploding batteries, right?

Well, for those of you who remember the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, this recall might seem a bit familiar. Apple is reporting that tens of thousands of MacBooks are being recalled due to a fire risk from the system’s batteries. Now, we’re getting official confirmation that people were injured by these batteries, with even more still at risk today!

If you or a loved one owns a MacBook Pro within the affected product range, you’ll want to know the best way to get your bad battery removed and replaced. We’ve got all the information on what you should do, as well as Apple’s own plan to clear customers for safety and potentially let them keep their computers. You won’t want to miss this.

Is your Mac on the list with batteries posing a fire risk?

Updated 07/03/2019: Since Apple’s recall was announced on June 20th, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has claimed to receive 26 reports of overheated batteries in affected laptops, with five reports of minor burns and one report of smoke inhalation. There are also additional reports of fire damage to nearby personal property. Apple estimates that more than 432,000 laptops in the U.S. are potentially affected by the recall, with 26,000 machines affected in Canada. 

This update reflects new reporting on injuries, property damage, and affected products.

Apple is currently offering free repairs to a number of its MacBook Pro laptops based on reports of faulty batteries. The voluntary recall involves certain 15-inch MacBook Pro units sold between September 2015 and February 2017. Since this involves a limited number of MacBook Pros, eligibility is based on product serial number.

To find the serial number on your laptop, open the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen and choose About this Mac from the options. It could also be found on the outside of your MacBook.

If your MacBook Pro is included in the recall, Apple will replace your battery free of charge. First, your laptop will have to be sent to an Apple Repair Center to be examined.

To check eligibility and begin the battery replacement process, visit the 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program on Apple’s site.

• More information about the affected MacBook Pro model (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) can be found here.
• More information on identifying your MacBook Pro model can be found here.

Tags: Apple, battery, computer, product recalls