2011-13 MacBook Pro Graphics Card Fix Launched by Apple

Apple has launched an official service repair site for customers who have MacBook Pro models that have inhibited video card problems:

Apple has determined that a small percentage of MacBook Pro systems may exhibit distorted video, no video, or unexpected system restarts. These MacBook Pro systems were sold between February 2011 and December 2013.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair affected MacBook Pro systems, free of charge. See below for details on affected models and service options.

As of February 20, 2015, the repair process will be available in the U.S. and Canada. In other countries, it will be available as of February 27, 2015.

The issue at stake involves MacBook Pro users experiencing distorted video, no video at all, or unexpected reboots.

The models affected are:

  • 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models manufactured in 2011
  • 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina models manufactured from Mid 2012 to Early 2013
You can use the “Check your Coverage” tool here to see if your MacBook Pro matches on of the models listed above.
If your model is included, bring it to an Apple Store or authorized service provider where they will confirm your eligibility and then repair it for free–starting tomorrow for Canada and the USA. Other countries the program will start one week later on February 27, 2015.
Apple says it is also contacting customers that paid for the repair through Apple Stores or authorized service providers to reimburse them. The program will go until February 27, 2016, or three years from the original date of sale, whichever is longer.
Apple faced a class-action lawsuit over the MacBook Pro graphics card last October, as customers claimed their the video cards were defective. Let us know if this fix applies to you!

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Craig
Craig
11 years ago

The program will go until February 27, 2015? Typo?

Martin
Martin
Reply to  Craig
11 years ago

Definitely a typo. It should be Feb. 27, 2016, as per Apple’s support document:

“The program covers affected MacBook Pro models until February 27, 2016 or three years from its original date of sale, whichever provides longer coverage for you.”

Gary
Reply to  Craig
11 years ago

Apologies, fixed. Should have said 2016.

hub2
hub2
11 years ago

I’m not affected, but I’ve been critical of Apple for not taking care of this earlier (these are customers who paid $2000+), so props to them for doing so. A few have gone through 2 or more board failures, though, so I hope the replacements under this program are more solid.

chris
chris
11 years ago

“Apple has determined that a small percentage of MacBook Pro”
Small Percentage?? lol
Unless you only use it for email is fine.
video editing or a 4k youtube will crash it.

DaveMa
DaveMa
11 years ago

Finally, after more than a year of being paperweight, the day has come. Geniuses said: “never heard of any problem with early 2011 MBP”, Don’t always believe in what you read on the internet”, “you should have bought apple care as you luck out and happened on you”, etc…, etc.

Almost all of them denied this problem except for one ‘genius’ who is brave enough to say that he encountered several cases and admitted that there is no repair program yet. Also, they won’t confirm if they will put a new logic board or a refurbished one.

Lesson learned: don’t bet on all Apple products. We learned to buy our second windows machine a few months ago due to disappointment on this MBP.

Gerry
Gerry
11 years ago

It’s a good time to get mine fixed, got the first Retinal Macbook Pro and every once in a while it lags.

Justin
Justin
11 years ago

My serial number checks in

Valid Purchase Date
Telephone Technical Support: Expired
Repairs and Service Coverage: Expired

So what does it mean? Do I get Graphic Card Fix for Free??

justin
justin
Reply to  Justin
11 years ago

I do have the Mid 2012 Mac Pro Retina model

Yassin
Yassin
Reply to  Justin
10 years ago

Hello, I know i am too late 🙂
but i am struggling with the same problem. and that’s the exactly state appears whenever i check in for my MAC serial number coverage!
My question is did you get the graphic card fixed for free? and what should i do 🙂

Vincent Cadieux
Vincent Cadieux
11 years ago

It’s really weird, I have a Macbook Late 2011 which have the exact same problem as the posted screenshot but I’m not covered for that problem…kind of sucks.

EdLevinson
EdLevinson
11 years ago

Well this is a bit of a piss off. I just unloaded a 2012 MBP Retina that had this problem for spare parts (got $300 for it). That was after Apple said they would charge me $1000 to fix it.

Gary
Reply to  EdLevinson
11 years ago

🙁

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