MacBook Pro Recall 2019: Apple To Replace Batteries For Free Over 'Fire Risk'

Apple Inc. on Thursday issued a recall for some of its MacBook Pro laptops because of potentially hazardous batteries that "may overheat and pose a fire safety risk."

The recall is now the fifth repair notice in the past year alone for the MacBook Pro, which Apple boasts is the "world’s best pro notebook."

This recall affects 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina displays sold between September 2015 and February 2017. It doesn't affect other 15-inch MacBook Pros or any other Apple laptops.

Owners can visit Apple's website and enter their laptop's serial number to see if their computer is part of the voluntary recall. If their MacBook Pro is affected, Apple recommends users not use the laptop.

Apple said it will replace the batteries for free, but customers need to take their device to an Apple Store or authorized retailer. Customers can also mail their MacBook Pros to Apple support. The company says repairs might take one to two weeks.

This recall was made after Apple in April issued a similar recall for two types of laptop plug adapters because of an electric shock risk.

Apple’s current and continuing problems with the MacBook Pro began in 2017 with widespread complaints from users about the butterfly-switch keyboard on Apple’s newer laptops.

Apple claimed to have solved this glitch but in June 2018 announced a new keyboard service program for users. It claimed the keyboard problem covered “a small percentage of keyboards in certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models, which may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors: letters or characters that repeat unexpectedly or don’t appear when pressed or keys that feel ‘sticky’ or aren’t responding in a consistent manner.”

Apple then went on to say the “vast majority” of Mac laptop customers have had positive experiences with their keyboards. But in May 2019, Apple had to admit there were problems with the keyboard’s backlighting, which became uneven.

The MacBook Pro, the high-end version of the MacBook family, was introduced in January 2006 to rave reviews over its capabilities and features. This machine has since been praised for its "nothing less than stellar" screen, its backlit keyboard, large trackpad, better wireless performance and virtually silent operation.