Garmin Nuvi GPS Recall, Batteries Overheat, Fire Hazard

Garmin is recalling 1.25 million Nuvi GPS units, because the batteries can overheat and cause a fire hazard - ouch! About 796,000 of the affected units were sold in the US, but so far, there have been fewer then a dozen cases of actual melt-downs.

It’s a bum rap for Garmin, however, which notes that the battery supplier is chipping in to replace these units. Hmmm… wonder who’s fault this was? Unfortunately, Garmin – along with other GPS manufacturers – has already been taking a beating lately thanks to the rise of GPS equipped cell phones. Why spend money on a Nuvi, when you can plan your route on your iPhone? Of course, Garmin’s no pushover – ever heard of the Garminfone? If not, you can bet you will soon.

Garmin says the affected phones are the 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT (where xx is a two-digit number) models. To take care of its customers, they’ve set up a web site, www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall, where you can get info on whether or not the battery in your Nuvi GPS could overheat, and if so, how to get a replacement.

Garmin Nuvi GPS Navigation units are being recalled, due to overheating batteries causing a fire hazard.

Lenny Rudow is Senior Editor for Dominion Marine Media, including Boats.com and Yachtworld.com. With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, he has contributed to publications including Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design who has won 28 BWI and OWAA writing awards.