Did flex gate get resolved for 2017 15” MacBook Pro’s

cptcrust wrote:

i have a 2017 macbook pro . i had the stage light issue in may 2019 and was charged $700 to repair it at Apple MacArthur Center Well here i am again with the same issue . This is a documented design flaw for 15" 2017 models can anything be done about this? ... i really dont want to spend another $700 knowing that this is a hardware design flaw

I would take it back to where you had the first service done— plead your case, with a level head, stay calm—this helps. Irate will get you shut down. The store manager is the only one with discretionary rule, if they were going to make an exception.

Don't take no for an answer from the first tier, second tier...Ask to escalate the issue up the chain of command. Don't stop until you have the managers attention. This is the best you can do.

There is no service program for the 15" 2017.

The service program is limited to the 13" 2017—Service Program

13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program - Apple Support

I would not spend another $700, there is only a 90 day guarantee on out of warranty repairs.

submit your Apple Feedback Product Feedback - Apple

Contact the corporate office Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

cptcrust wrote:

Not quite so simple im afraid .. i am currently in Costa Rica and there is no apple store here ... im giving serious thought to going in another direction after 30 years of buying macs ..im stuck at the " do i throw yet another $700 fixing a laptop thats 5 years old knowing the same problem will happen again in 2-3 years or buy a new laptop" I spent today talking to apple techs and in all honesty not a lot of help other than "maybe i should buy spare parts off ebay " .. With the keyboard issue and this screen issue for the second time ( or third if you include the wife's laptop ) at my cost it leaves a sour taste in my mouth thinking about buying another macbook pro ( i bought 2x macbook pros in 2017 and have had to replace the keyboards and screens on both ) Really no longer the reliable quality i had counted on ....

I have never recommended buying MBP for 2016-2018 there seem to be a lot of issues— yours included.

The butterfly keyboard and the projector cable two of the biggest problems.

To replace the projector cable requires the entire Display Assembly be removed, which requires the entire logic board to come out— this is not a light hearted task...and a lot can go wrong.

I would spend no more on a the repairs...

I do encourage anyone buying a new Mac today to factor in the AppleCare+ 3-yr warranty which gives you the option to extend after it expires.

AppleCare+ (it will cover a large portion of accidental damage as well.)

AppleCare Products - Mac - Apple

Extend your AppleCare+ coverage

Extend your AppleCare+ coverage - Apple Support

No one will hold it against you to leave Apple behind. There are other options out there.

cptcrust wrote:

Im disappointed that they knew they had the design flaw in the 2017 models and still they have left us to fend for ourselves

for the record, a correction from above—should read 2016 only and it took years for Apple to officially recognize, and situation and issue the service program.

The service program is limited to the 13" 2̶0̶1̶7̶—Service Program

13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program - Apple Support

As a parting shot —

At this time, there is no Service Program for this 15" issue of the projector cable,  or any 2017 or 2018 MBP.

Typically in the past if Apple does release a Service Program,  they have offered a refund for out of pocket expense parts & labor for the exact issue covered.

Service Programs are triggered by the  percentage of all MBP of this spec vs the number of failures documented.

We are not privy to this %, or have any more insight.

A repair ticket, your Apple Feedback—all are heading in the right direction to trigger this release.

Apple Feedback Product Feedback - Apple

A repair at your local AppleStore or  AASP will generate a "service record" for the repair on your machine—and this is all you will need to qualify—if a Service Program is issued in the future.

Apple Service Programs - Apple Support

Above is the list of current Apple service programs. The 2017 15” MacBook Pro is not on this list. I don't recall there ever being a program for this model. You may want to contact Apple support to verify. We are just fellow users here, not Apple employees or official support.

The "flexgate" issue has been resolved in Apple's opinion.

No additional models have been added to the list of those Apple is willing to cover by a service program.

Hi! Flexgate on the 2017 MacBook Pro was not resolved until March 2018 when Apple made the backlight cable longer (just 2mm!). You can see it in these pictures:

We're all in the same boat. Apple is not applying this just to you.

Over the past 20+ years, we've upgrade our computers several times. In 2015 that was from PC to Apple.

Our practice has always been to keep the best performing computer of the ones we're upgrading from. That way, we always have a backup that's no more than 5 years old and still runs productively if not optimally.

We are of the opinion, "You pays your money; you takes your chances" and it's therefore our responsibility to hedge our "bets" with a perpetual computer backup plan.