MacBook Air battery exploding/expanding

Mine has worked fine since 2008, but today I discovered it looking like this:

Did you get any further with Apple?

Went back to apple genius bar. They said that replacing bloated batteries for free are not on the "List". Well it should be on the list! A battery shouldn't be bloating like this affecting the whole case or other components.

I turned my 2008 MacBook Air in to the local Apple Reseller in my home town Lund, sweden.

I told them that I was OK with paying for a new battery if the old one was considered worn out by age, but that I expected Apple to pay for all other damages.

The next day I was told in a text message by the reseller that Apple had agreed to repair with no cost to me. I did not know if I would pay for the battery or not.

4 days later it was ready. They had replaced the battery and both the top and bottom casing including the keyboard, no charge.

Obviously I'm very happy with Apple.

Sincerely

Anders

For all the people that have issues with batteries expanding. Apple's battery's are not protected or shielded like most typical laptop batteries so it will expand regardless overtime when operating the the Macbook from the battery.

I had the same thing happen and was charged $140 by the Apple store to replace the battery. TOn another support page in here, people have shared good links to articles about other companies recalling batteries and issuing free replacements, wish Apple would get on board.

I must be a very lucky one or else Apple have changed their attitude towards this issue. In december this year in Canada.

I went in with my Macbook air 2008/2009 and the battery had swelled up to the point that it made the keyboard and the screen all messed up. It was out of warranty, I expected at best to be able to get a new replacement battery.

They looked at it, they did not hezitate and told me that it would take 3 to 5 days for my replacement macbook air to come in.

I expected a refurbished same model same year etc.

I was stunned to realize that they replaced it with an i5 model brand new, latest or one notch before the latest.

What can I say, I am very impressed and now realize why we pay extra for these machine and why we always get support at the apple Genius store.

So far I have been served with lots of respect and never have they tried to lay blame on me for anything that went wrong with my devices even though I brought in ipod and iphone with broken screen.

I had to pay replacement on a few but replacement these were out of warranty and messed up screen anyway.

I would suggest to go to another Genius store, to anyone with those type of issues, do not go back to that one store that are not friendly.

Even write them up as unfriendly, Apple is a company that is very unhappy when negative feedback comes their way.

Good luck to anyone else.

Well done apple for making another happy customer

Mikercana1, thanks for sharing that info. I too have the same problem and I will be taking mine in tomorrow to the Boulder, Colorado Apple Store. I've been a nervous wreck that they are just going to blow me off. I feel somewhat encouraged that maybe something will go right in this matter.

So, tomorrow is my genius bar appointment, fingers crossed. I will update my results when I have more information!

I had the same problem with my MBA 2008 and brought it to an apple service agent in Dublin. I was charged €190 to have the battery replaced. There was no talk of Apple covering any part of the cost.

How did it go with yours?

Mike

Hi Mike,

I did get the Air fixed but I did have to pay for the battery. However, they did completely replace the whole bottom part of the laptop because it was deformed free of charge. It looks like the total would have been just under $500 had I had to pay for the extra parts like keyboard, bottom casing, trackpad... So, all in all, considering it was out of warranty, I would consider only paying for the battery a plus.

Kris

Not sure how mine went. I just noticed the key board was bent out of shape and I assumed the battery was the cause. Thought maybe it was because I used my MacBook Pro charger but other comments would suggest that it's ok to use a higher voltage charger without causing any damage.

Mine has worked fine since 23.5.2008, but today I discovered it looking like this:

Tallinn, Estonia

Let me know how it goes with Apple support.

From what I understand , this happens sometimes when the batteries are left to discharge totally then are charged up, some of the cells go in reverse mode thus the heat and the swelling start.

Liion batteries are quite different from Nicads etc.

never let them totally discharge it is a killer for them, used them up a bit and recharge or leave them charging is best.

If anybody has one of those dead batteries, I would be interested in playing with it.

Mike

my 2008 macbook air started to change shape yesterday... the keyboard is beginning to bulk up and it is bloating... this one is starting to show signs of explosion!! HELP!!!

Where are you located?

Let it expand and then go to the Apple store to see what they say.

I was lucky enough that they have replaced the whole macbook for me as it was in pretty bad shape.

I have read that some people had to buy the batteries themselves and fit them in.

It isn't difficult to do, if it save a lot frustrations with the Apple Genius then it is worth going through that route.

Good luck