Design fault? 27" 2013 iMac stand just gave up!

Exactly the same thing happened to my late 2013 iMac -- was in the room but not near the computer -- a snap, and it tilted forward. I live far out in the country, two hours from the nearest Apple store, no Apple Care, so the wood letter-opener wedged up in the hinge will have to do for now. I work on this machine and can't do without it.

I wonder how many in the US have had the flaw fixed for no charge?

Try contacting Apple and referencing the info JoPPt mentions in the 3rd post before yours. This has been referenced by others in this thread as an excellent way to cut through the red tape.

This literally just happened to my iMac (27-inch, Late 2012). Sitting on the sofa and heard a loud crack - couldn't find the source of the noise until I came to use my Mac the next day. I would agree - a design flaw 😠

I mentioned I had the same problem here with my 27" late-2013 iMac last week; Apple replaced the small, internal cracked hinge part for free as a manufacturer's defect. The repair requires the entire back of the machine to be taken apart; it's a "difficult" level bench repair at an Apple-authorized repair center and can't be done on-site. I'm still under Applecare, but they told me they would not have charged me anyway because it's a known problem appearing with these very particular cases as they age. Very pleased with how Apple responded and how they handled it; my iMac's back home after three days at the Apple Store and as good as new.

Yep. Happened to me a few months ago. Just got it fixed on Apple's dime at a Apple-authorized repair center. And I didn't have Apple Care. They have finally accepted the issue and are repairing the faulty piece. Huzzaah! (My wife's work place had 3 or 4 iMacs with the same issue fixed as well, free.)

This same thing just happened to my iMac 27" Late 2012 model. I heard a snap and then noticed the monitor was tilted downward. My AppleCare expired in April 2016 so I was out of luck. When I first called in the support rep told me it would not be covered, but then I pressed that I've seen many reports of this same issue and thought it was a design defect. She then agreed and found a note that they are covering the repairs even if the system is out of warranty.

So if this happens to you and you call for support and are told you need to pay for it if you're out of warranty, push back and have them look for the tech note about Apple covering the repair.

I'll take my system in next week for the repair and post how it went when I get it back. There is also a recall on the 3TB Fusion drives, you may want to check if you're affected by that recall as well.

My iMac stand just crazy snapped , down direction the screen faces now.. a crazy loud noise heard across the room.. no one touching the stand, it is a flaw in the design ,not a mistreated item . The computer hasn't been moved since it was bought and put on my desk. Anyway, I propped an object underneath the screen and it faces at me now ... I don't plan on spending money to have it repaired . I would imagine this happened to many people but they don't complain as loud as me

This happened to me as well as many others. I took it to Apple and they repaired it at no cost. What they did was replace a plastic part with a metal part. Now, my iMac is sturdier than ever.

Its a known issue with iMAC (late 2013)....Apple takes care of this by charging only the part fee (labor cost is covered under repair program) even if you don't have Apple Care. Just talk to a customer support person and take your iMAC to the genius bar. You should be done under USD30/-

I took my system in a few weeks ago to the Apple Store. They repaired the hinge at no charge. Just an FYI, this is a known issue and Apple is providing the repair, both parts and labor for free even if the system is out of warranty.

This J\just happened to my monitor 27" late 2013 iMac, it was facing down when I went to use it today. Thanks to all this info, I'll just make an appointment at the apple store to get it fixed.

I just took mine yesterday to the Apple Store (Yorkdale in Toronto) and the guy said it's $150 for the labour and part. I even told him about this thread and how people have had it fixed for free out of warranty. He then said it's not a known issue but that some cases are unique. If they charge me, I'll be writing an email and linking to this thread.

What did you tell them when you brought it?

That should not be the case...First talk to an online customer support person and make sure your model is under repair program (late 2013 iMACs only). Then book an appointment with the genius bar at apple store only (not any authorized apple dealer)...It should be fully covered (at least in US it is)...In the worst case even if they charge you that should not be more than USD 70/- (approx. 39 labor + 28 part)...

I did originally chat with an online agent and they just told me I'd need to take it in. Never mentioned a repair program. I definitely have the late 2013 model. It would be crazy if the repair program is US only. I don't see a repair program listed though. Apparently labour alone is $100 now.

Heronymo - I have an iMac 27" Late 2012 model that was repaired at no cost. Initially I called phone support and that is where I was told this is a known issue. They told me to schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar for the repair to be done, and that there wouldn't be a charge for it even though my AppleCare was expired. When I went in for my appointment the person that helped me was also the one that would be performing the repair. He also said this is a known issue and there wouldn't be a charge for it. I doubt this would only be for U.S. based machines though since he was a manufacturing design flaw.

I'd suggest calling Apple Phone Support and opening a ticket with them and have them reference the known issue within that ticket. You can then at least have the Apple Store look that up so you're not charged.