Microsoft Surface Book Class Action Lawsuit

The feedback I received from Microsoft support was that the batteries would leak out dangerous chemicals and not co2.

Something is not adding up

They offered a replacement surface instead of a new battery... I wonder if they are just increasing the space to allow the battery to expand more better it degrades so much that it needs to be switched off and then they are adding a mechanism to disable the battery and leave it to only be powered by adapter since replacing just the battery would just result in the same situation, of the battery degrading and then expanding and needing to be changed...???

I am a little unpleased with the expanded battery resolution process as it is a known defect issue and the solution is to replace it with a refurbished surface at my cost. Warranty is up but being that this is a known defect it should be covered by Microsoft. This issue with the Surface is so prominent that Microsoft has created a program and process just for it. How is this not a recall issue. Does anyone know of an actually feedback contact that i can share my concerns and getting a bit more of a proper explanation.

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This response is part of the script in the process and just repeated the issue with no real explanation or solution. Also being locked by the moderator for response so the conversation can not be discussed!!!

Hello Kwiley472,

Thanks for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry to learn about this issue on your device and we totally understand that this has been concerning you a lot.

As per article Caring for your Surface Battery:

When batteries experience excessive deterioration, you may see severe battery life reductions or advanced expansion of the lithium-ion cells. Under normal conditions, Surface devices are designed with a mechanical enclosure to contain battery expansion. Under extreme conditions the battery may expand beyond the mechanical limits of the device and result in deformation.

Battery expansion from deterioration does not present a safety concern and is most often caused by the formation of non-flammable carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. If you have a device where the battery has expanded visibly beyond the mechanical enclosure, we recommend you stop using the device. You should handle the device with caution to prevent putting pressure on or risk puncturing the battery cell.

For further assistance, kindly contact Microsoft Surface Support to seek exchange options for your device. If you're located outside United States, see Global Support. Replacement cost applies to out of warranty device and for further service.

Best regards,

StevenK

My screen started to bow out more than 3 years ago. I thought that it was because of the screen jitter issue getting worse that I got at the start of the second year of having the tablet. If I hadn't checked this site, then I would have left the issue continue until the screen failed... Which would have been a very bad situation given that it is the battery that is the issue.

So the class action suit needs to contact all Microsoft surface Pro 4 owners even if they have not realised that they have an issue for a general recall since it is potentially an issue that can be mistaken for something else and there isn't a way to safeguard the table to allow it's continued use.

I used to be a solid fanboy of Microsoft products dating back to the turn of the century with Windows CE devices ending in their cancellation of support for Windows Mobile/Windows Phone, leaving me once again stranded as if the vendor were some tiny startup with no financial strength to back up their product.

As for the lousy, expensive Surface Book, that was the last straw for me.  I will never again buy any MS hardware.  Terrible support for defective/dangerous batteries.

My batteries inflated like balloons, causing my display to bulge so much that it cracked.  BTW, if you can insert a long needle or hatpin under your bulging display, pop the mylar bag enveloping the batteries' metal casing.  It appears to be a protective layer in case your battery leaks.  Mine appeared to be inflated with gas rather than electrolyte leakage. The battery was toast so you wouldn't be able to use the display as an untethered tablet.  The other option is the one that I mistakenly chose to do which is to disassemble the display panel and replace the battery.  The newest battery that I could find was dated to 2018, so probably not much capacity left.  Removing all the parts to remove the battery resulted in numerous tiny use-once connectors breaking which has involved purchasing many replacement parts.  It was never designed to be fixed.  

The lifespan of the Surface Book, like many similarly designed devices, is determined by the lifespan of the batteries.  Once depleted, you may as well part out your computer, because trying to replace out-of-date batteries is a fools' errand.  That said, I will never buy another laptop from MS or other makers, that cannot be cracked open to replace the battery.

Perhaps the FAA should be notified that these should be banned from air travel like the Samsung Galaxies were.  They could be a fire hazard.

Both my original surface pro 4 and the replacement microsoft sent have suffered the same battery swelling issue.  I have read a report identifying the placement of the heatsink as being partly to blame but also the high number of faults reported (whether microsoft acknowledges them or not) . This is obviously a known issue that has not been addressed .