Garmin Recalls 1.25 Mln nüvi GPS Units for Overheating Batteries

GPS maker Garmin is recalling about $1.25 million nüvi GPS systems because their batteries can overheat, creating a potential fire hazard.

GPS maker Garmin has issued a voluntary recall of about 1.25 million nüvi personal navigation devices because they contain batteries that can oveheat, creating a possible fire hazard. Just under 800,000 of the units were sold in the United States; the recall impacts selected Garmin nüvi 200W, 250WW, 260W, and nü 7xx devices.

Nüvi owners can determine if the recall applies to their unit by entering their GPS’s serial number at Garmin’s Web site; if their unit has a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design and a battery manufactured in the recall data range, customers will get instructions on how to return their GPS to Garmin for a replacement battery and a special spacer on top of the battery next to the PCB. There will be no charge to return recalled units or receive replacement batteries.

Garmin says the batteries in question were made by a third-party manufacturer within a specific date range. Garmin has not identified the manufacturer, but says that company is sharing the cost of the battery replacement packs and bearing all other costs of the battery recall program.

Garmin warns customers that they should not remove or replace the nüvi GPS batteries on their own.

Garmin has also posted worldwide telephone numbers for customers who, for whatever reason, cannot access the Garmin Web site to determine if their unit is part of the recall. The company says it has also sent a product recall letter to customers on record as having purchased affected devices.