Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A California federal judge recently ruled that Apple must face a MacBook class action that alleges its laptops were equipped with defective keyboards.
According to the Apple MacBook class action lawsuit, laptops purchased in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were equipped with “butterfly” keyboards that caused problems such as sticky keys and unresponsive buttons.
Apple attempted to dodge the class action by arguing that the issue had been resolved by the company’s Keyboard Service Program.
The program reportedly offers free repairs for the butterfly keyboards or a refund for repairs that consumers were forced to pay for. Apple claimed that these remedies satisfy the plaintiffs’ claims.
U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila disagreed. In a Nov. 22 order, Judge Davila determined that the keyboard program doesn’t invalidate plaintiff claims considering that the Apple class action argues the program is “is ineffective in remedying the allegedly defective design” seen in butterfly keyboards.
“Plaintiffs sufficiently allege they have suffered an injury-in-fact: Apple’s alleged failure to repair the defective keyboards, including through the program, has caused a concrete, particularized, and actual injury to each plaintiff,” the judge wrote.
Judge Davila also determined that Apple’s keyboard repair program does not have any effect on the plaintiffs’ breach of implied warranty claims.
According to the MacBook class action lawsuit filed in 2018, Apple unveiled their butterfly keyboards in 2015. Unlike the older “scissor-switch” keyboards, the butterfly keyboards were reportedly designed to be slimmer and more efficient.
However, the butterfly keyboards are allegedly prone to failure and can cost between $400 and $700 to repair.
“Apple’s butterfly keyboard and MacBook are produced and assembled in such a way that when minimal amounts of dust or debris accumulate under or around a key, keystrokes fail to register,” the MacBook class action claims. “The keyboard defect compromises the MacBook’s core functionality.”
Plaintiffs in the MacBook class action lawsuit seek to represent a Class of consumers who purchased a MacBook and/or a MacBook Pro that was equipped with a butterfly keyboard.
Originally, the MacBook class action included a variety of claims including breach of warranties, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and violations of consumer protection laws. In April, Judge Davila trimmed some of these claims – tossing the breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims but keeping claims of fraud by omission and more.
Did you purchase a MacBook that was equipped with a butterfly keyboard, causing sticky and unresponsive keys? Share your experiences in the comment section below!
Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented by Daniel C. Girard, Jordan Elias, Angelica M. Ornelas and Simon S. Grille of Girard Gibbs LLP and Benjamin F. Johns, Steven A. Schwartz, Beena M. McDonald and Andrew W. Ferich of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP.
The Apple MacBook Keyboard Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Macbook Keyboard Litigation, Case No. 5:18-cv-02813, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
23 thoughts onApple Can’t Escape MacBook ‘Butterfly’ Keyboards Class Action
Whats messed up I bought 5 in all they all failed in this area sticking keys some do not register at all on two of the MacBooks I stop being able to enter my passwords because 2 or more of the buttons associated with the password stop working I’ve changed over to Samsung add me like yesterday please
Please add me. I lost out on my whole Mac when my butterfly keyboard broke completely and I got no assistance from Apple.
Hi There; Please add me. I have had this computer for 2 years now and have complained to Apple several times over the years. I cannot use my $2000 computer and have gone back to my 10 year old MacBook Air. This keyboard is a monstrosity. Lost words, erroneous sudden deletes, lost files and basically unusable. The fix for this iOS to send to them for a major, invasive overhaul, with no real change, and a ridiculous 90 day warranty. The customer inconvenience and handling of the complaint is absurd.
Whats messed up I bought 5 in all they all failed in this area I changed over to Samsung add me like yesterday please
The Keyboard Replacement Program is a farce. A key in my Macbook Pro began sticking and it soon detached. Both Apple and the authorized service center claimed that a ‘detached key’ wasn’t covered by the KRP even though it directly related to the KRP malfunctions. I had to pay for the repair and could not get a reimbursement.
Hi, please add me. I am still using a Macbook Pro and often times keys stick, but I’m advised to not clean it myself.
Please add me. I purchased a MacBook Pro in 2018 – I have had issues with the keyboard like it skipping or certain keys not registering and I have to press harder or repeatedly. Although I purchased AppleCare protection plan, the keyboard issue has not been continuous so I did not submit that for repairs as other more major problems were submitted for repair
pLease add me, I have sticky keys, too.
Please add me to the class action. I have the 2016 model and I have the same occurring issues.
Yes!! Please!! I bought my laptop in late 2015 and the numeric keys never work! I bought it as a emergency computer when I got into grad school and it was spotty then.
I couldn’t afford to not have it for them to fix at the time. I tried a couple of years ago but it was too late they wouldn’t fix under the warranty, so yes, help!! And the Apple guy I talked to over the phone heard about this issue, but still wouldn’t fix it for free!!
OMG My mom so nicely bought me this new laptop for my birthday just a few months ago — the MacBook Air 13-inch Retina Display 2018 model — and I make a living WRITING. I need to have my 75-80 WPM to type the massive amount of content I need to write and complete on deadlines and this keyboard problem has complete #$*&% me up big time! I’m going to try to swap out the keyboard, I hear under warranty you can do this at no cost. IF NOT…
PLEASE PLEASE ADD ME TO THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!