Garmin is recalling a select number of certain nuvi-branded portable GPS units due to the potential risk of the battery overheating.

According to Garmin, the battery in question was manufactured by a third-party supplier, and falls only within a limited data code range. The company says that the overheating issue can happen only in rare circumstances; even rarer is the possibility of a fire hazard. No injuries or "significant property damage" caused by the issue have been reported to date.

Potentially affected models include the nuvi 200W, 250W, 260W, and 7XX (with two numerical digits occupying the "XX"). A representative from Garmin confirms that some of these models were sold in Canada. The model number can be found on the label or on the back or bottom of the device. The easiest way to determine if your model is affected is to enter the serial number at https://my.garmin.com/rma/recallLanding.faces, a dedicated Website set up by Garmin to handle the recall. Alternatively, customers (in the U.S.) can contact Garmin at 1-866-957-1981 to inquire about a product; have the serial number ready.

Garmin is encouraging consumers to take immediate action should they own any of these products with qualifying serial numbers. Stop using it immediately, and disconnect it from all power cables and mounts to allow the battery to discharge; do not attempt to remove the battery yourself. Return the GPS to the Garmin-authorized service centre for service; Garmin will replace the battery with a new one, and insert a spacer on top of the battery, next to the circuit board. This, says the company, will help to minimize interference between the circuits and the battery. Once fixed, the unit will be returned; Garmin will take care of all shipping costs.

"Garmin sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience that this matter has caused," the company says in a prepared statement. "We value your business and your faith in our company, and want to maintain your confidence in and support of our entire line of products. Even through our handling of this incident, we endeavor to retain and strengthen your trust in the future."

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