Apple macbook air hinge defect -closing lid is considered accidental damage

Hello!

Have the same problem (no surpises). I own the first generation of MBA for about three years.

This June the hinge had cracked and then plastic around the hinge crumbeled. I'm glad that Apple covers this troubles, but I have additional issue.

Two years ago I accidentially dropped the closed laptop and damaged the lid. The damage resulted in a cosmetic bump (2 cm in diameter and about 1 mm in depth) and did not cause any troubles with functionality nor with hinges and overall solidness of unit. I didn't mind it for two years.

But now it feels like Russian service centers won't repair my laptop unless I convience Apple that this bump is on the opposite side to a hinge and this issues are not affecting each other.

Dear collegues, do you think I can deal with this and can you advice me something?

I am in Korea and I have the broken hinge problem on my MacBook Air. One day, I was opening the MBA and I heard a loud crunch and it was the hinge. It had broken.

I thought I had done something wrong and so I didn't bother to browse the Internet to see if this was an issue. My computer is about 15 months old and I do not have Apple Care.

However, 3 weeks after this happened, I browsed the Internet for something else and came by chance on the broken hinge defect and realized that it is a widespread issue.

I was taking my MBA to the Apple Store in Korea to have it looked at at the Service Desk. However, it was closed and on the way home, I accidentally banged the computer on the escalator. There is a small dent on the side of the base near the corner where the broken hinge is.

I took the computer to the Apple Store's Service Center just now and dropped it off there. They told me they would mail it to Apple somewhere and give me a reply as to whether it will be free to fix the hinge or not in three days.

They asked about the dent and I said the dent happened after the hinge broke. And I explained the hinge broke when I opened the lid. A dent that is in the side would not cause the hinge to break. The dent has not shifted the lid on its hinges, causing it to break – all it has done is cause a little depression in the metal on the side.

The service person told me that different countries have different policies so even if the broken hinge is a known issue she can't guarantee it will be free to fix.

Does anyone know whether Apple in Korea will fix faulty MacBook Air hinges for free (if it's obviously not the fault of the owner)?

Thanks.

Hi all. Here's another broken hinge story, from Istanbul. My computer is 32 months old and my warranty expired 8 months ago. Yesterday I was checking my emails before I went to bed and bang! I was well aware of this common problem and I backed up my data and ran to Apple Care first thing in the morning.

I also happened to drop my computer and the corner was bended just one week after I bought it. I had brought it to an Apple repairer just in case. There were no technical issues related to this accident and I was told that I didn't need to pay for the service. I thought I was lucky for the treat but now I have no receipts about the issue and I'm afraid that my broken hinge will not be repaired for free because of the bend, disregarding the design flaw.

Before I took off MBA the service personnel asked me about the issue and I replied "broken hinge". She asked me if I own a MacBook Air! I am surprised that this issue is much more frequent than what I expected.

Apple Care said that the bend might be a problem and if Apple doesn't repair it for free, I need to pay something around $600! I asked if I bring my own parts (which I would order from China) would they fix the issue. They said they will but will not grant any warranties.

They will inform me about the status within this week but they said that they don't have the parts thus it might take one month to receive the order. Because of the Consumer Laws in Turkey, they have to arrange a laptop for me when the repair exceeds 2 weeks. Instead, they said that they will give me back my laptop and inform me as soon as they receive the parts. "Well, what if there is an electric shock?" I asked and the personnel smiled.

Any cases from Turkey?
Any stories about electric leak from the hinge?
Any ideas where I can order the monitor, if my issue is rejected to be fixed within warranty?

Thanks.

Hi guys,
I got a 2 year old MBA purchased from London. Last month the hinge got broken suddenly without any reason. I took it to a service operated by Birkom the Apple representative in Turkey, however I got the same response like you guys. I have been told that there is a dent on the side of the computer and hence the hinge was broken due that. I have told them that the dent had happened a year ago and it has got nothing to do with it. The response I got was that there was nothing they can do and they will replace it for $600+18% V.A.T. I have told them that there is no freaking way that I will pay that kind of money to a faulty $10 hinge. Believe or not, I have been further informed that I should pay $25 as diagnostics fee! Of course I told him basically to go to ****. Afterwards I have sent an e-mail to Birkom with an attachment from Apple stating that all of the hinges will be replaced free of charge. However, I got the same story from them as well.
Right now I am desperate! Does any of you know from where we could buy these hinges online (not from Apple of course)?
Regards,
Levent SENCAN

My Macbook air has the same thing, broken right hinge.
I was impressive, Apple take care of this, without apple card or any other warranty.

Just adding my experience to the long list. After about a year and a half my MacBook Air hinges gave up the ghost, just as unexpectedly as everyone else's. I took my out-of-warranty laptop to my local Canadian Apple-certified repair shop (not an actual Apple store though) and they said they will fix it at no cost. I am presently waiting for the repair to be completed.

hello, new to the forum. My parnets got me a macbook air, first gen, used off of craigslist about a year ago and everything was fine until the hinge broke. Since i am not the original owner of the MBA would apple give me any trouble if i go to them for the repair.

thanks

Unfortunately if there is not an official repair program on apple.com:

http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

Apple and representatives are only going to deal with these issues on a case by case basis

It does seem harsh that because of cosmetic or accident damage, another issue is refused repair
but A.A.S.Ps will not get refunded for any such repair work by Apple. You are more likely to get this repair for free through an Apple Retail Store.

Be aware that to fix a failed hinge, a complete display assembly including housing and bezel is required - also if the display cables wear or LCD goes dim. The plastic cover that covers the hinge is also an integral part of the display and is not user replaceable.

My macbook air has broken in the same way. Unfortunately I have had it 4 years now with extended warranty for 3 years. I have not taken it to an authorized user yet, just reading these posts and feeling probably helpless to get it fixed without costing major bucks. I suppose that is the reason, might as well buy a new one for not much more, compared to fixing it. I am still using it, I just leave the screen up and now that I have an iPad I don't take it with me anymore, perhaps that's the best solution.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. If it is any consolation, the new MBA is worlds better than the old one. I am constantly in shock at how much more I enjoy my new 11.6"

If it is going to cost you much at all, I'd definitely recommend putting your hard earned cash toward a new MBA as you are considering.

My macbook air hinges were cracked as well. I did not have apple care and my warranty was over. I called the apple care help line anyways. The first person I spoke with gave me to a senior advisor who basically told me there was absolutely nothing he could do for me. I continued to use my macbook air and the damages became increasing worse to the point that the hinge actually caused the lcd screen to stop working and i was left with a white screen. I called apple care again and received the same answer. This time i didn't give up as easily and called right back after getting the answer no. THe second senior advisor I spoke with was familiar with the issue and had a box sent to me the next day and said the repair was free of charge. However, once they had my computer I received a call that said because i had other damages to the casing, trackpad, and a small crack in the screen that the repair would be $495. They said I had to pay for it or else they wouldnt not be able to fix the hinges. When I called them back to give them my credit card numbers, the man I spoke with had trouble entering in the invoice. He gave me to a senior advisor and after being on hold for about ten minutes they told me that all of the repairs would be free. I waited about two weeks while a part was on order. I was very frustrated so I decided to call and speak with someone. When I called I was informed that I was eligible for the replacement program since I had waited so long. This was on Friday and I just woke up to find a package on my front porch with a BRAND NEW MACBOOK AIR I did not pay a single penny for shipping or anything and now have the faster, better version, of my computer! APPLE ROCKS!

I just bought a used MacBook Air off of Craigslist recently and one of the problems were that the hinge snapped. I bought it (at a good deal) and checked how to get the hinge fixed / how much it would cost me. Surprisingly I saw that Apple had a recall and that they were replacing it for free. I scheduled a Genius Bar meeting at my local (hour away) Apple Store and told the rep what happened. He informed me that it was, in fact, covered under their FREE replacement program! I was astonished since it did have a small ding in the top corner of the lid (which I told him that the original owner had after the hinge broke). He said it would take a few days to replace and he would give me a call. I signed a paper and was on my way!

Amount Due - $0.00

I am facing the same problem with my Mac Air. Were you finally able to convince the Apple people to repair your MBA?

I'm also in Korea and I have the same issue with my 2010 MacBook air. My hinge was a bit loose since I first got it in Korea. When I tilt my air in a 50 degree angle the screen just opens up all the way. This is because the hinge is too loose. I took it to the apple repair center near hongdae and they told me that they might not be able to fix this. I think that's bs. Obviously this is a defect but they said they can't guarentee that they can fix the problem for my air. I left it with them and they said they will contact me. I was wondering If you got it fixed because I think I should be able to get this fixed before it gets worse. Can you let me know. You can e-mail me at jahmess684@hotmail.com. Hope to hear from u soon

Well, i had a major hinge issue (7 mths from purchase) like what you see in the picture above. I had a whole host of technical problems before this e.g, Airport card (3 weeks from purchase), etc... Before the hinge issue happens, there were telling "symptoms" eg...

1. the screen will start to wobble when a slight knock on the table or wind blown from a fan
2. when screen module is 25 degree from the keyboard, it will "free-fall" to close.
3. when you place it vertically on its hinge, there will be a gap of approx 1" between screen & keyboard module. if you have your system on sleep mode, it will "turn on".

I gave Apple technical support helpline a piece of my mind and Apple fixed my hinge by changing my screen screen module FOC.

*Now, after 7 months symptoms 1 & 3 starts to appear *

I mainly use the MBA at home and have 2 other notebooks (IBM T41 & Sony Viao VGN -TX750P) which has no hardware issue.

God help me!