MacBook Pro 15 inch 2017 Flexgate / Stage Light problem

i have had bad experience with my macbook pro 15inch (2016) already had major repairs during the warranty period and now I have flexgate issue. I went to Apple in Brussels. The guy checked it and said yes its the same issue as the 13ich but it's not cover so and he needs to have a chat with the manager. The manager was an asshole and it end up the person I had a chat before i set down with the technical guy.. i explained the manager that the issue is a flexgate and he said because it has the symptom it does not mean is the same and will not be covered as he already knew about flexgate... from the distance the technical guy looked like he was arguing with the manager while the manager was looking at me like to say that I am not going to approve it because I don't like you... very disappointed

Hey guys,

here is my experience regarding my MacBook Pro 15 inch 2016.

Two weeks ago on a Saturday I opened my MBP and there it was - flexgate.

From day one I applied a protector to my MBP and carried it from my desk at work to my desk at home

travelling by car. As you all can imagine not really a stressful environment for a MBP concerning external impacts.

So what was Apples response?

Since I have no warranty anymore I called Apples Hotline and they told me repair costs are on me. Next step would be to go to an Apple Store and ask for the exact costs but there is a twist - you need an appointment. Therefore I opened the Store-Site for Munich and - what a surprise - no dates available. Well I use my MBP on a daily basis therefore I am not very pleased that there is no possibility to book a date besides the website.

In the end what are my options now? Since I'm not the clumsiest person I ordered a replacement lcd via ebay which cost me around 350 EUR (refurbished).

There are some videos on youtube where people showed how to replace lcd screen (meaning display with case and cables). The shipment will arrive in the next 2 weeks so fingers crossed that everything ist fine and I can change the display myself.

Thanks for nothing Apple!

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Personell opinion:

Apple claims to be a premium supplier but the recent products I bought showed me that the reality is quite different.

About a have year ago my iPhone 7 Plus had the IC-Chip problem. Which I also had to pay myself.

Since day one my MBP had problems - there where some popping sounds when the MBP reached a specific temperature.

(it came not from the speakers!)

Apple replaced the whole upper body of the lower case (meaning the part with the keyboard) which helped nothing. I told the Apple hotline that the problem still is there. The response was - go repair it again. As I wrote earlier I need my MBP on a daily basis so I can't always have it in repair since I actually need it for work. I know that's shocking - somebody could really need Apple products for work - but that's really it.

I accept that there can be problems with products but pushing the repair costs towards the customer for obvious design / production failures is not what the term 'premium supplier' stands for.

Shame on you Apple!

Besides all the negativity I really like Apple products. iOS / WatchOS / MacOS / iPadOS work all fine together. Sure there a some bugs from time to time but until now no deal breaker. Also iMac, iPhone, iPad, Watch, Macbook Pro are great and useful products.

I think the problem are the different expectations inside Apples coming from the quality management and financial department.

Start listening to your engineers and developers and rethink (blind) obedience to financial department.

You can go without appointment in the morning (first hour), that's what I did, but I don't know if it is like this in all Apple stores.

I just got it back, it costed me 760€... a bit expansive for an engineering failure.

Now I just wait for Apple to cover it like the 13" model, because all the macbook pro from 2016 and 2017 will have this problem soon or later, it's just a question of time

This was supposed to be 20 USD cable replacement problem (apology stickers included). Looks like we need to lower our expectations and don’t assume that premium HW should last for longer than the official or extended warranty period.

No one is perfect, but this is just sad story.

A firm statement about whether the warranty will be extended for the 15 inch machines would be helpful. Should we just wait and hope it will, or should we start looking for another computer (or external monitor) now?

I have the same problem on my MacBook Pro 15 2017 with touch bar. Opening over 40 degrees, the display became black. Apple ask 1000 euro for repair!!!!!! They have to repair all of them, QUICKLY, free of charge!!!!

You can’t even turn it on keeping the lid closed 😋

It’s unfortunate trap:

You can’t just keep the lid open all the time, because dust gets into the butterfly keyboard and it breaks. You can’t close lid after use, because flexcable breaks. You can’t switch to different notebook HW, because you can’t run the OS you rely on. 🤔

Apple should replace MacBook Pro 15 screen for those suffered black screen, since this is product design defect not related to consumer

Apple store’s service was terrible and did not take customer’s need seriously, the service center just brush me away about this issue, ask for 700USD fixing fee,

They are not honoring this program for the 15 inch models. Please contact Apple to tell them to fix these models. https://getsupport.apple.com/?PFC=PFC1002&category_id=SC0999&symptom_id=99918&caller=erep

Hello from Hong Kong. My MacBook Pro 15” late 2016 suffered the same problem... When I opened it more than 45 degrees, the screen will turn totally dark...

Luckily it was covered by Apple care+... I am seriously considering to move away from Apple!

I have a 15" 2016 MBP with shadows at the bottom of the screen then of course the smug arrogance of the Apple Chat telling me that their years of experience believes the problem is elsewhere in the machine and regurgitated the press release taking point.

I really am thinking about getting a Dell; Apple just seems to be so greedy these days....

2016 15" MBP experiencing the same flexgate symptoms. I have owned Macs since I was 16 (12 years now). This will be my last. This is not only unfair it is criminal, given their admission of the issue on the 13". Sad to see what has come of their customer service as they have grown...

I am facing the same issue. Mine is MacBook Pro 15 inch 2017 model and I'm from India.

I contacted apple support plus went to the service centre multiple times but they were of no help.

This issue is being faced by many users and Apple needs to fix this issue ASAP.

I can't spend 65,000 INR after buying the laptop. That's a complete rip off.

They used to have a $400 flat fee if there was no physical or water damage. Now they won't even offer that on a known issue. Customer service is completely clueless to the matter and just keeps passing me along until someone ignores me.

I have the same issue and was told the exact same. I am a graphic designer and wanted the best computer out there for my industry. I am now stuck with this POS expensive laptop and am not able to work. Apple has once again screwed up.