Apple Class Action Lawsuit Says Laptop Displays Are Faulty

Apple faces a class action lawsuit alleging that the company’s MacBook Pro displays are defective and contain cables that are prone to failure.

Plaintiff Mahan Taleshpour says his MacBook Pro developed a significant display defect which interfered with his ability to use the device.

Apple allegedly refused to cover the repairs and instead told him he would need to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the display.

According to the Apple class action lawsuit, a design flaw in the laptops causes the display cables inside to wear and become damaged.

Over time, these cables are reportedly damaged significantly, resulting in a “stage lighting” effect from the bottom of the screen. This presents in alternative patches of light and darkness at the bottom of the MacBook Pro display.

With further use, the defect allegedly results in a complete failure of the backlight when the display is opened beyond 40 degrees, which Taleshpour argues makes the laptops “essentially useless.”

Although the 2018 MacBook Pro model revised this defect by including longer display cables, older models reportedly continue to experience the problem.

Taleshpour says his 2016 MacBook Pro, which he purchased in April 2017, started to develop this issue in January 2020. In mid-March, he allegedly took his laptop to a service provider but was shocked to find out the AppleCare would not cover the repairs for this issue. Instead, he would be forced to pay $850 to replace his entire display.

The Apple class action lawsuit notes that the damaged cables themselves are not wildly expensive. However, these components are allegedly built into the MacBook Pro displays, meaning that the entire display must be replaced when the display cables fail.

“Although APPLE provides limited one-year warranties for its MacBook Pros, the cable display defect typically manifests itself outside the warranty period. Consequently, consumers who experience this defect must pay out-of-pocket to repair their cables,” the Apple MacBook Pro display class action lawsuit argues.

Unfortunately, Taleshpour’s experience is not unique. The issue is reportedly so prevalent that more than 26,000 consumers have signed a Change.org petition demanding that Apple address the defective displays.

“Since the display cables are almost certain to tear with normal laptop use, tens of thousands of consumers have reported the stage lighting effect and/or complete failure of the display screen,” the Apple MacBook Pro class action lawsuit argues.

Apple has launched a service program for some of the laptops affected by the alleged defect, providing refunds and free repairs to certain consumers. However, Taleshpour argues that the program is not enough.

Allegedly, only 13 inch MacBook Pro 2016 models are included in the MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program despite the 15 inch models showcasing the same defect.

Additionally, 13 inch MacBook Pros sold after 2016 are reportedly not included in the program despite suffering from the same defect.

Consumers have taken to online forums to discuss the issue, detailing their frustrations.

Numerous Apple customers posted about being forced to pay between $600 and $850 to replace their display screens after being denied coverage under the repair program.

“This is a product that Apple markets as having one of the best displays you can possibly buy, and that’s true — until it stops working,” Class counsel said in a statement to Law360. “We want Apple to do what it does with 13-inch computers: fix the problem.”

Taleshpour argues that he and other consumers would not have purchased the laptops if they had known that MacBook Pro displays were prone to a defect.

In fact, Apple allegedly continues to represent that their laptops are superior to other models despite being aware of the defect plaguing hundreds of thousands of their customers.

“Despite the revised longer display cable length and the Display Backlight Service Program, APPLE continues to deny there was ever a defect in its display cables. It also continues to represent these MacBook Pros have superior displays,” the Apple class action lawsuit notes.

Taleshpour seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased a MacBook Pro 2016 model or later. On behalf of himself and these consumers, he seeks actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, restitution, disgorgement, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Have you had issues with your MacBook Pro displays? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

Taleshpour is represented by R. Rex Parris, Alexander R. Wheeler and John M. Bickford of Parris Law Firm.

The Apple MacBook Pro Display Class Action Lawsuit is Taleshpour v. Apple Inc., Case No. 5:20-cv-03122, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

UPDATE: On July 1, 2020, Apple seeks to dodge the MacBook class action lawsuit by stating the allegations are not based on facts. 

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