Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation,
announced today that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 1.25
million nüvi personal navigation devices (of which approximately 796,000
units were sold in the United States) that contain batteries
manufactured by a third-party supplier within a defined date code range
and that have a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design. Garmin has
identified potential overheating issues when the third party supplier’s
batteries manufactured within this limited date code range are used in
certain Garmin devices with the PCB design. It appears that the
interaction of these factors can, in rare circumstances, increase the
possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire hazard.
This issue has been identified in less than ten cases in total involving
certain nüvi models. None of the reported incidents has caused
significant property damage and no injuries have occurred. Nevertheless,
given Garmin’s longstanding commitment to safety and customer
satisfaction, Garmin is proactively recalling nüvi units with the
specific PCB design and with batteries from the specific date code range
out of an abundance of caution. Garmin strongly urges customers to go
online to determine if their nüvi device is one of the few nüvi models
affected by this recall and, if so, to participate in the program. Only
the 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT (where xxis a two-digit
number) model numbers may be affected. These units were sold worldwide.
To determine if a unit is affected, customers can visit www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
They will be asked to enter their nüvi’s serial number, and if their
unit has the specific PCB design and contains a battery from the
specific date range, they will be given instructions on how to return
their nüvi at no charge. Garmin will replace the battery and insert a
spacer on top of the battery next to the PCB before returning the nüvi
to affected customers free of charge. If customers are unable to access
the website, they may contact Garmin through one of the phone numbers
below:
In the United States and Canada, call (866) 957-1981
In North America and South America outside the U.S. or Canada call
+913 397-8200
In Europe, Middle East, and Africa, call +44 870 850 1242
In Asia, call 886/2.2642.9199
In Australia, call 1800 113 738; and in New Zealand call 0800 427 652
Owners should not attempt to remove or service the battery on their own.
To ensure that the unit's battery is replaced as part of this recall,
please return any affected unit directly to a Garmin-authorized
facility, using the procedure outlined above.
Garmin is making every effort to cooperate with customers, dealers, and
regulatory agencies worldwide, and the company apologizes for the
inconvenience that this issue may cause.
Garmin does not expect this recall to have a material adverse effect on
its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The battery
supplier has agreed to share the cost of replacement battery packs and
all other costs of the recall program.
About Garmin
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its
subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation,
communication and information devices and applications since 1989 — most
of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve
automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and
OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its
principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the
United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom
at www.garmin.com/pressroom
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and
nüvi are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes
forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such
statements are based on management’s current expectations. The
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may
not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of
known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin,
including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 26, 2010, filed by Garmin
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number
0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-Q is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.