Garmin recalls nüvi sat navs

Garmin, a manufacturer of navigation systems, is recalling approximately 1.25 million nüvi systems worldwide. The batteries in the navigation devices could overheat. So far, ten cases of overheating are said to be known.

According to the manufacturer may encounter issues with some nüvi models that have a particular PCB design in combination with batteries from an unnamed company. Garmin states that in rare cases this combination could cause the navigation system to overheat, resulting in a fire hazard. The company states that “less than ten cases” have been reported so far in which batteries have actually overheated and that no injuries have been caused or significant damage has been caused.

The nüvi models that Garmin will be recalling fall in the 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT series. According to Garmin, these series have been sold worldwide and it would involve a total of 1.25 million devices. The serial number allows an owner of a potentially affected navigation device to access the Garmin website to check whether it is subject to the recall. The manufacturer will provide the returned nüvi with a new battery free of charge and will also place a spacer between the battery and the motherboard.

Garmin does not expect the recall to cause significant financial damage to the company, as the battery supplier has indicated that it will pay for the cost of the replacement batteries.