January 29, 2026 – A recent incident report details a concerning event involving a refurbished Apple MacBook that reportedly began smoking and leaking fluid during normal use. The consumer involved alleges the device experienced a battery thermal runaway, presenting a significant fire hazard, and is disputing the retailer’s claim of user-induced liquid damage.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On April 6, a consumer purchased a refurbished Apple MacBook from Back Market for $320.93. The device, an unspecified MacBook model, was in normal use when it suddenly began to smoke and leak fluid. For immediate safety, the owner quickly moved the device away from any flammable materials to prevent a potential fire.
Following the incident, the consumer returned the MacBook under warranty. However, the seller denied the warranty claim, alleging “liquid damage” to the device. The consumer is formally disputing this denial, presenting their own analysis of the photographic evidence provided by the merchant. The user highlights what they describe as “Proof of Thermal Failure,” pointing to clearly melted, bubbled, and charred battery casing. They argue that simple liquid exposure would not cause such damage, but rather it is indicative of extreme heat from a battery thermal runaway event, which is a fire hazard. Furthermore, the consumer asserts that the “liquid” found by the seller was not user-induced water damage but rather battery electrolyte that vented during the smoking event, mislabeled by the seller to avoid a refund. The consumer also notes concerns about Back Market support’s alleged refusal to acknowledge the physical evidence of melting, which they categorize as “safety negligence.” The consumer is requesting a full refund for the defective product due to the significant fire risk it presented.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises several critical safety concerns:
- Thermal Runaway and Fire Hazard: The alleged melting, bubbling, and charring of the battery casing strongly suggest a battery thermal runaway event. This is a dangerous chain reaction within a lithium-ion battery where increasing temperature leads to further temperature increases, potentially resulting in fire, explosion, and the release of highly flammable gases.
- Hazardous Chemical Exposure: The reported leakage of fluid, identified by the consumer as battery electrolyte, poses a risk of chemical burns upon skin contact and potential respiratory irritation if inhaled. Battery electrolytes can be corrosive and hazardous.
- Property Damage: A fire originating from a defective laptop can rapidly spread, causing significant damage to surrounding property, furniture, and potentially the entire home.
- Who Might Be Affected: Consumers using refurbished or older electronic devices, particularly those with lithium-ion batteries, could unknowingly be at risk if their devices have latent defects or compromised battery integrity. Anyone in the vicinity of such an event could be exposed to fire, smoke, or chemical hazards.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own an Apple MacBook, particularly a refurbished model, and experience similar issues:
- Immediate Safety: If your device begins to smoke, swell, leak fluid, or become excessively hot, immediately power it off, unplug it, and carefully move it to a non-flammable surface, away from any combustible materials. Do not attempt to cool it with water or handle it without protective gear if fluid is leaking, as it could be corrosive.
- Do Not Use Damaged Devices: If your device shows signs of battery swelling, excessive heat, or physical damage to the battery area, cease use immediately.
- Check for Swelling: Periodically inspect your laptop for any signs of battery swelling, which can manifest as a bulging keyboard or bottom case. Swelling is a strong indicator of a failing battery and potential thermal runaway.
- Reporting: Report any similar incidents to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov and to the manufacturer.
- Warranty and Returns: Understand your rights regarding product warranties and returns, especially for refurbished electronics. Document all communications and evidence related to product defects.
Manufacturer’s Response
Apple Inc. has acknowledged this incident report. However, the specific details of their investigation or response to the consumer’s claims are not provided in the incident information available.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.