Garmin GPS Recall Nuvi Navigation Devices

By: John Lester
08/26/2010 05:49 PM ET

Garmin GPS recall Nuvi navigation devices. Nuvi GPS personal navigation devices have been recalled by Garmin due to a potential fire hazard. The batteries on the GPS system are overheating, according to Garmin.

Nuvi models affected are 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT (where xx is a two-digit number). The overheating problem has been identified in less than 10 cases involving certain Nuvi models. None of the incidents has caused significant property damage and no injuries have been reported.

More than 1.25 million Nuvi personal navigation devices are being recalled. About 796,000 units were sold in the United States. The recall affects five Nuvi models that contain batteries manufactured by a third-party supplier. Garmin said the “interaction of these factors can, in rare circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire hazard.”

Recalls on GPS devices are rare. Garmin will replace the battery for free. The battery supplier has also agreed to share the cost of replacement battery packs.

GPS owners should not attempt to remove or service the battery on their own. Although sales of the company’s personal navigation devices have declined this year, the drop has not been as sharp as analysts had expected. Garmin is the largest seller of personal navigation devices in North America.

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