Earlier in June, Apple announced a battery recall program for 15-inch MacBook Pro models sold between September 2015 and February 2017. They claimed that damaged batteries could overheat and cause major safety issues.
PetaPixel has today shared some images that surfaced the day after Apple announced this program. They show a burnt-out area around the trackpad and holes in the chassis’ rear.
The owner, Steven Gagne, said that when the battery exploded, it caused a small fire and filled his home with smoke, along with a strong chemical smell. The MacBook Pro wasn’t in use either, although it was in sleep mode, and not plugged into mains. Luckily, Steven managed to put the fire out and dispose of the hazardous MacBook Pro before major damage was done to himself or the property.
The photos indicate heavy damage to the computer, with black burning surrounding the sides, front and back, along with a large hole, likely where the battery began exploding.
Apple recommends that you enter your serial number of your 15-inch MacBook Pro on this recall webpage to check it doesn’t have a defective battery. If yours does, you should book an appointment with Apple and get it looked at – don’t keep using it.
In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission says that a total of 26 reports of battery explosions and damage were received by Apple and that some were treated for minor burns.
It’s better to be safe than at risk. If you have a 15-inch MacBook Pro sold between 2015 and 2017, you can check for the serial number by clicking Apple Menu > About This Mac and copying it down onto the official recall page.
