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.
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.
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.
246 thoughts onApple Class Action Lawsuit Says Laptop Displays Are Faulty
I purchased a 2017 model but I am experiencing the same issue and have had to have my display replaced twice. The most recent repair was done October 2021, and not even a month later (Nov 26, 2021), my display is once again broken. The laptop will come on, and I am able to use it if I connect it to a monitor, but the display is SOL. I am tired of replacing the display. I contacted Apple about a replacement laptop and/or refund for the money I spent to repair my laptop and they told me that the 2017 MacBook Pros are not included in the recall. This issue has inconvenienced me multiple times and has affected my ability to work and complete assignments for Grad School.
Please add me. Purchased a late 2020 MacBook Pro with touch bar and the screen goes black. Apple wants me to pay over $500 to fix a display that is of no fault of my own when I spent around $2000 to purchase the product. Apple has acknowledged there are display issues with their MacBook Pro’s and they should pay for this. I am a consumer who can barely afford the laptop in the first place to only have it malfunction right away–and Apple confirmed that there is no wear or tear since I never dropped or damaged my laptop. This is not right and I want to be compensated. Finances are already strained due to Covid and the Apple Support is not helpful.
Please add me to the lawsuit. I have always had the full cover on my Mac book pro 2018 with a Touch Bar. It has absolutely no physical damage as the store representative said, but just happened and now I must assume the cost for repairing something that I did not do. He also said that that is the risk assumed when buying a technology device such as a refrigerator or a car and sometimes they are faulty. Who tells you that! He also said that if I were to buy such an expensive product I should’ve put the warranty on it. No product should be faulty at a year and a half
I just paid over $400($428 + tax) to have my macbook air mi purchased about 6 months ago and still under their “limited” warranty, repaired. The screen cracked overnight while sitting on my desk, for no reason. The refused to honor the warranty saying that I must have done something. This is false. They told me that I should have bought Apple Care when I purchased the computer (no one told me this. I bought the computer from Best Buy). If I had Apple Care the repair would only be $99! I am done with Apple.
Please add me. I have two MacBooks with the same display issues. I purchased a new MacBook this passed December because my older MacBook had screen issues. Then it happened to my new one immediately after receiving it. I could not believe it happened again. You cannot see the screen on a brand new laptop. Now I have 2 laptops with the same screen issues. I have tried to call Apple and they won’t replace it. Again…. This took place right after receiving it…. It was a lemon for sure. It is under warranty but I want the whole thing replaced. I did not purchase a broken laptop.
Please add me, I have a 2017 MACBOOK PRO 15 inch Touchbar maxed out, with a failing display to the point I can no longer use the laptop.
Same problem. Screen went in the exact same way. Purchased in December 2018. We called Apple and we will have to pay $900 before they ship us a box to send it to them for repair.
Please add me. I had the same issue. I purchased a 2015 MacBook pro. Due to a battery issue, my computer was unable to hold a charge (this happened the night before my first day of college; 9/2019!). The following weekend, I took it to the local Apple Store.
They told me that the battery was defective and I have to pay $400 to replace it or buy a new laptop. They told me if I exchanged my old laptop, I could receive up to $450 in a gift card. So I chose to do that. I purchased a new laptop and sent my old laptop to Apple’s 3rd party inspection agency. Upon inspection, it was valued at $450.00 Then, there was a second inspection, and it was stated that due to a faulty screen issue caused by Apple, my laptop was only valued at $150.00. When I asked them why I wasn’t notified about the screen issue, the person on the phone told me that Apple had no way to contact those impacted by the defect. This was absurd to me. So instead of the $450 that I was hoping to receive and use towards my new purchase, I only received $150.00. Knowing this, I may have made a different decision. But school started and I need my laptop. Please add me to this class action lawsuit. Thank you.
I have had the same issue. My macbook is within the recalled models and yet when I took it in for service for issues with the display they said my particular issue wasn’t covered. That it had to do with how fragile the internal component was and he said they had a shelf of them with the exact same issue. My computer has been babied, never dropped or damaged and this happened? How is this my fault? They wanted me to pay $700 for a new screen. Ridiculous.
I’m having the exact same problem with my MacBook Pro 13in, 2017 model. Count me in; I’m not paying $1,000 to have a problem fixed that is Apple’s fault.