I've been hearing reports of poor GPS reception in some newer vehicles for some time, but until now it was more rumor than fact. Garmin has now confirmed that coated windshields, found on some newer Volvo, Toyota, and Nissan models, can block GPS reception.

The issue isn't unique to Garmin, and is a function of the coating on the windshield preventing GPS signals from passing through. According to Garmin, customers experiencing this issue are encouraged to make sure the GPS is positioned so it has a clear view of the sky.

Some newer vehicles also have a small area of the windshield that is not coated, typically in the bottom-center area, to allow for the use of radar detectors, GPS devices, and portable satellite radios. Another option is to purchase an external antenna.

Specific performance details seem to vary from vehicle to vehicle, and between the various GPS makes and models. Are you experiencing this issue? Know of a workaround? Post a comment and let us know.