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Macbook Air SSD failure?

I've had my MBA for just under a year, and the SSD failed today. I saw the dreaded white screen. I took it into an Apple store, and they are having to replace the SSD. Unfortunately, they didn't have the one I need in stock. So, it will be a few days. I'll be lost without my MBA. LOL


Has anyone else had issues with SSD failure on MBA? I hope this is not a common issue. Luckily, it is still under warrants. The part was about $800.

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 1, 2013 8:19 PM

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431 replies

Oct 7, 2013 12:51 PM in response to ksatterwhite

Same here, MBA 2012 64GB SSD toshiba dead (I suppose) The system starts running slow... slow... and finally stops. Then I can't work anymore. The pointer shows rainbow wheel and it doesn't allow to switch between apps. I can't do anything but to force a restart. Since then, every time I try to start my macbook it shows the white screen for a while and then the screen shows a folder icon with the question mark. It doesn't do anything else. I went to an authorized service provider looking for a solution, and strangely the technician was able to perform a format to the ssd. My macbook passed all tests succesfully when the format was done. The diagnose was "a software problem". Something I had on my ssd caused a conflict and the solution was to start over: Reinstall OSX 10.8 and pass hardware tests looking for problems. I was charged for 78€ for one hour of work. Ok. Even so, I don't understand how the technician was able to detect the ssd. Well, the problem hasn't gone. Only one day after using my macbook it happened again: System starts running slow... slow... and stops... Out of ssd warranty for 2 months... The macbook was bought in Spain. Is anybody from Spain with the same situation?

Oct 7, 2013 3:50 PM in response to ksatterwhite

I have the same problem :\ MBA mid 2012 bought July 2012. Out of a sudden i got the flashing question mark folder of death, it wouldn't recognize the ssd. Took it to an authorized apple repair shop and they determined i needed a new ssd. Called Apple yesterday and they claimed that ssd faulire was very rare and that they are sorry but im out of warranty. Today got of the phone with repair man and ordered a new ssd for $280. Sigh, this ***** so much, i never expected for my mac to die so soon! Im scared of it happening again. I hope apple do something! Im very dissapointed and let down. 😟

Oct 7, 2013 8:14 PM in response to MacBabyBee

I was hoping they were all Samsung but mine is a Toshiba. I'm guessing I'm going to be dealing with another hard drive failure in the future, unless they changed how they made them between the 2012 and the 2013. So far this computer has been working well, but I have to admit I haven't restarted it. I'm scared of the machine updating (the updates downloaded automatically before I could stop them :/ ) and stuff not working after. So far my machine has no real issues and I want to keep it that way.

Oct 8, 2013 3:53 AM in response to ksatterwhite

Dear All,


My MBA 13'' bought 1 year and 10 days ago. Yesterday, It cant find ssd suddenly and showed gray screen when I restart it.


Today, I sent it to Apple Service Provider in Singapore, the guy told me the ssd is already down and I need buy a new one to place with abt 800 SGP$.


Two experiences from this case:


SSD is frail. I ever used a ThinkPad T60 for 5 years, its Hard Disk is very stable. But I found many examples of SSD broken via Google searching.


The part of MBA is too expensive. So if you want to buy a MBA, pls think about its high repair cost.

Oct 9, 2013 1:45 AM in response to clockworx

Mine was handled by Apple Store in Hong Kong.


Apple genius firstly done hardware test in my machine and confirm that is SSD failure.

Then asked me if the machine under Apple Care, I said no, it expired in July. He said "Poor, that is costly for SSD replacement" Then, I point out that should be hardware flaw from Apple since there are many similar cases reported recently (I showed him this thread).


And he checks the system a while and tell me my machine entitle special repair program on SSD even out of warranty, no cost needed for part and labour.


Indeed, I read previous posts that there are cases from UK an US can get fix for free too, so I think you may can try again or escalate your case.

Oct 9, 2013 8:17 PM in response to ksatterwhite

Our company bought three 2012 Macbook Airs in early August 2012. One is with a dead keyboard on arrival and all three of them had SSD failure just after the warranty expired. We were planning to bring Macs to our standard corporate computing environment and those three were phuchased for the pilot project. I guess we are lucky that we didn't decide to give everyone a MBA, it would then be a disaster for our IT support team. All of them have Toshiba SSD drives.

Oct 10, 2013 7:30 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

I hate to reply but I am going to bite again. "An SSD is made of two parts, the controller and the flash chips." I was going to find a source but funnily enough this quote is from your own article. So yes, the Toshiba SSD did fail because a key component inside it does not work correctly. No matter how much you want to spin it, the SSDs are not working and the SSDs that are not working are branded Toshiba, hence Toshiba SSDs failing is a correct way to say it.

Oct 10, 2013 8:31 AM in response to Yorick88

This happen to me too with my macbook air mid 2012. Although I can repair it for free but because I also need my computer right now for work I ordered a new ssd from macupgrade.eu, here you can buy a OWC ssd for your macbook mid 2012. Took me 10 min to install and after that you can install a fresh OSX on it with a bootable USB drive.


But I don't understand why they want to charge you for the repair. Because you have an extra 1 year consumer warranty(only in europe), after the 1 year normal warranty is ended, from the store where you bought the macbook. And you bought it in 2012?? So you still have warranty for 1 year.


More information:

http://www.tabletguide.nl/19919/apple-erkent-2-jaar-garantie-periode-en-langer-m aar-alleen-bij-verkopende-partij/


Veel succes!

Macbook Air SSD failure?

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