How to Fill Out and Submit a Garmin Warranty Claim Form

To file a Garmin warranty claim, start at support.garmin.com or call 1-800-800-1020 with your device’s serial number and proof of purchase; Garmin’s support team will issue a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number and instructions for shipping the device to its service center. Non-aviation consumer products are covered for one year from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship, and Garmin will repair or replace a covered device at no charge for parts or labor.¹ Typical turnaround at the U.S. service center is ten to fourteen business days from the day your package arrives.²

What You Need Before You File

Have three things in front of you before you open the portal:

The device’s serial number, an eight- or nine-character code of letters and numbers with no spaces or dashes. It’s printed on the back or bottom of the unit, and if the device still powers on you can also find it under the “About” or “System” screen.³
Proof of purchase showing the date and the retailer’s name. Garmin’s U.S. warranty applies only to products bought from Garmin U.S. or a Garmin-authorized reseller in the United States, and the company reserves the right to reject claims for products purchased from unauthorized resellers, including unauthorized internet sites. If you aren’t sure whether your seller was authorized, contact Garmin before filing.¹
A current shipping address, email, and phone number. Shipping labels and status updates come by email, so use an address you check.

Back Up Your Data Before Shipping

Garmin may wipe the device during repair or send back a different unit of the same model, so save anything you want to keep first. For automotive devices, connect the unit by USB and use the Garmin Express desktop software to back up routes, favorites, and saved places. Recently found locations are not included in the default backup, so open the “Recent” list on the device and save each one you want to keep before running the backup.⁴ For watches and cycling computers, sync to Garmin Connect so your activity history stays in the cloud.

Filing the Claim and Getting an RMA

Go to support.garmin.com and open the repair or replacement tool. Entering the serial number pulls up your exact model and confirms whether the device is within the warranty window. Choose the problem category that best fits, then write a short description of what’s happening and include any error codes the device has displayed. Technicians use that description to triage the repair before the package arrives.

After you submit, Garmin issues an RMA number and emails return instructions. Eligible U.S. addresses may receive a prepaid ground shipping label, but labels aren’t offered for every location.² If no label is provided, ship the device yourself using a carrier that offers tracking. Either way, the warranty puts transportation costs to Garmin on the customer.¹

How to Pack and Ship the Device

Send the device by itself. Leave the charging cable, mount, watch band, case, screen protector, memory card, and any removable battery at home unless Garmin’s product support team specifically asks for them.² Garmin does not guarantee the return of accessories shipped in with a device, and losing a charging cradle or heart rate strap to the process is avoidable.

Pack the device in a sturdy box with enough padding that it can’t shift in transit, tape the label flat, and keep the tracking number. If you’re using your own carrier, insuring the package is worth considering, because a device that arrives with new shipping damage can complicate the claim.

Turnaround and the 90-Day Repair Warranty

Most U.S. product repairs take ten to fourteen business days from the date Garmin’s facility receives the package.² Technicians verify the defect and either repair your original unit or replace it with the same model. Garmin makes that call, not you. Every repair and service replacement carries a 90-day warranty of its own, so if the fix doesn’t hold you’re covered for another round without starting over.

What the Warranty Won’t Cover

Some failures are outside the one-year warranty entirely. Knowing them ahead of time saves you from shipping a device that will come back unchanged.

Cosmetic damage such as scratches, nicks, and dents is explicitly excluded.¹
Batteries are treated as consumable parts and are not covered unless the failure resulted from a defect in materials or workmanship. Normal battery degradation over time falls outside coverage.¹
If anyone other than a Garmin-authorized service provider has opened or serviced the device, the warranty no longer applies.¹
Accidental damage, submersion beyond the device’s water resistance rating, and misuse of the product are not covered.

Marine, Aviation, and International Purchases

Marine and aviation products don’t follow the standard one-year consumer warranty. Many marine devices carry a two-year warranty, though marine items not listed in Garmin’s marine appendix default to the one-year consumer terms.⁵ Aviation products may qualify for a longer period under a separate aviation warranty policy.¹

If you bought your device in one country and need service in another, contact an authorized service facility in the original country of purchase first. Garmin cannot guarantee that parts or replacement products will be available outside that country, because offerings and regulatory standards vary by region. On an international claim, Garmin may repair with comparable parts, replace with a comparable model, or require the device to be shipped to an authorized facility in the original country or another country that can service it. Shipping the device across borders puts import and export compliance, customs duties, VAT, and shipping fees on you, and local laws may prevent Garmin from servicing or returning a device in a country other than where it was originally purchased.¹

1
Garmin. Consumer Limited Warranty
2
Garmin. Understanding Garmin Service Options
3
Garmin Customer Support. How Do I Identify My Product Model
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Garmin Customer Support. Backing up, Restoring, or Transferring Saved Data on Garmin Automotive Devices
5
Garmin. Marine Warranty Policy