Subscribe
E-Paper
By Kim Hyun-bin
Concerns are rising over the safety of BMW sedans following a series of motor fires that have affected 29 cars this year.
While owners are concerned about the possibility of their cars bursting into flames, other drivers worry that their cars may be damaged if a nearby BMW catches fire.
From July 29 to Aug. 2, a BMW fire incident was reported every day.
Most of the vehicles were 520d sedans, and BMW Korea announced late last month that these would be among 106,000 diesel-powered automobiles in 42 models that it was recalling for servicing.
The German carmaker said the exhaust gas recirculation (ERG) module, which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, was the part that ignited fires in the engine compartment.
However, four of the 29 were gasoline-powered vehicles, according to Rep. Shin Chang-hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea, including a BMW Mini Cooper that caught fire at an intersection in Gangnam, July 4.
This has raised the question whether the EGR is the real problem, because gasoline engines do not have an EGR installed.
"We have conducted our own investigation but have yet to figure out the exact cause of the fire," BMW Korea said after the fire in the Mini was made public Thursday.
An online petition was placed on Cheong Wa Dae's website Friday calling for a ban on the sale of BMWs.
"For consecutive days there have been fires in BMW vehicles which can affect nearby cars. We need a country that treasures public safety. The 520d model owners should be allowed to get a refund and the sales of the vehicle should be banned," the petitioner wrote.
"The car could catch fire at any given time. I am worried it could affect me when I am driving," Sohn Tae-doo, a Seoul taxi driver said.
Even some parking lot owners have started to prohibit BMW cars from being parked on their facilities.
"If one vehicle catches fire at an automatic parking tower, other cars will be set ablaze which could engulf the entire building," an operator in Seoul said. "So we don't allow BMWs to park in our tower."
Thirteen BMW vehicle owners filed a class-action suit for compensation with the Seoul Central District Court, Friday, against BMW Korea and five official dealers. This is the second such suit following one filed Monday by four owners.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is investigating if BMW purposely delayed the recall of the problematic vehicles. If it is proven to have done so, the carmaker can face a fine of up to 70 billion won ($60 million).
BMW decided to recall the diesel-powered vehicles late last month, but only after over two dozen 520d sedans caught fire.
Last year, BMW Korea sold 60,000 vehicles worth over 3.6 trillion won.
