I have a 2011 Macbook Air, and recently the service battery message appeared. I've only 18 months with it, the cycle count is 629, and the battery health is down to 42%. I know the warranty expired 6 months ago, but I think I've got a faulty battery.
MacBook Air (11-INCH, MID 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)
Sadly, even if you had a fautly battery the warranty has expired. Apple is pretty cut and dry with its warranty services. You could attempt to have them replace it as it would appear that it has certainly "worn out" much quicker than it should have. However, I wouldn't hold your breath.
Good luck.
Take it an Apple store and try your luck. I had the battery in my MBP replaced and it was four months out of warranty.
Getting a battery replaced outside of warranty but with a relatively low cycle rate is something of a crap shoot. If you have an Apple store or independent reseller nearby it is worth trying. Be polite but firm about pointing out that Apple states the battery should last 1000 cycles and that you are about 2/3s there in just 18 months and getting the service battery warning. It didn't last as advertised.
Is my battery covered?
