Battery Recall Program

zati yagiz wrote:

Hi,

When I first detected the problem, I took it to Genius Bar. But they did not need to examine the battery. They said that a replacement was required and that there was a fee. I'm wondering what I need to do to have my device included in this program…

I would not hold my breath...

You can read the details here, the last time that article was updated was 5 years ago.

15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support

Your 2015 is 9 years old...

I would be impressed if Apple is still honoring a Vintage/Obsolete mac.

see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired ...

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

ref: Check your coverage

My Support - Official Apple Support

if your serial number does not show as included in the service program, then yours is NOT included.

In that case, YOU will have to supply the US$250 to get your battery replaced.

If you leave it too long, it may break the glass trackpad or damage the keyboard or mainboard.

The part that is replaced is the battery/keyboard/trackpad/TopPlate Assembly, complete. If your keys are a little scuffed, you get newer-looking keys as a part of the service.

The battery swelling is not what is covered by the Recall Program. Battery swelling is a completely different issue which Apple does not consider a safety issue. The recall program is for an actual safety issue where the battery could catch fire due to a manufacturing defect. Several years ago Apple had a free battery repair program for the MacBook Pro 13" (2017) non-touchbar model for a battery swelling issue. Notice I said "repair".....not "recall". There is a huge difference.....the former is just a normal manufacturing defect with no safety concerns, the latter involves an actual safety issue. Yes, a swelling battery is scary, but Apple does not consider it a safety issue....it is no more likely to catch fire than a before it started to swell. Besides the Repair program only lasted 3 years and is expired while this Recall program is for an even older model, yet is still a valid program as it has no expiration date, although I'm guessing it will disappear once the 2015 model is finally considered "Obsolete" by Apple. That is something else to consider.

Here is the archived Aplple free battery repair program article.....notice the part where Apple says it is "not a safety issue":

https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041245/https://support.apple.com/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement

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And compare it with the Apple Battery Recall program where Apple clearly says the recall is for a "fire safety risk":

15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support

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FYI, I've personally seen some very swollen batteries and they never caught fire, nor did their cell pouch burst....and yes I was very concerned about handling them because I thought the pouch would just burst due to the cell's extremely swollen condition.

Hi,

You'd better take your MacBook Pro to your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined on the battery since it's VERY dangerous to use your MacBook Pro regularly.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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My MacBook Pro 15-in 2015 WAS a serial number included in the battery-replacement program, and was submitted in a timely fashion, and had its battery replaced under the program.

Despite only using it in a controlled home/office environment, almost exclusively on power adapter, and Not using it for any extended periods on battery alone, and never deeply depleting the battery, it developed battery problems later, all by itself. The battery was swelling so badly that the bottom of the unit was bulging down toward the table.

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Batteries are a wear item, like the soles of your shoes, or tires or brakes in your car. Sooner or later, they need to be replaced. This depends not only on hard use, but also simply the passage of time, and the WILD variability between individual batteries.

To continue to use this otherwise perfectly good computer, I spent the US$250 to replace the battery again, and it is working just fine now.

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Community.

We want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your device. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support.

There is only one battery recall program listed that might be applicable, but apparently only applies to devices in a certain serial number range:

15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support

That's why I sent an e-mail to Apple directly, but there was no response.

I know of no Apple email addresses for that purpose. That may be why you did not get a response.

Beyond that, we are neither Apple nor employees of Apple subsidiaries, but end users like you. We can offer little help here in a situation like this other than what has already been suggested.

Are you in the US? Location makes a difference in service issues.