South Korean BMW drivers claim carpark bans over engine fire fears

BMW drivers in South Korea are reportedly being ostracised by parking bans imposed over mounting public fears about engine fires. 

The country’s transport ministry estimates 27 engines went up in flames between January and July this year, prompting BMW’s South Korea unit on Tuesday to apologise and announce a recall of 106,000 diesel vehicles, including the 520d, from August 20.

“For the recent series of fire incidents happened in the country, we sincerely apologise for causing worry and anxiety among people and government authorities,” said Kim Hyo-joon, BMW Korea Chairman. 

The company has cited defects in the exhaust gas recirculation system as the root cause of the fires, reported Reuters. 

However, according to the Korea Times, some apartment blocks and commercial buildings have already barred BMW vehicles from their parking compounds, unwilling to risk a potential fire hazard. 

Howard Kim, 45, who drives a gasoline engine-powered BMW 528i, told the paper that new parking curbs were making life difficult. 

"The parking restrictions apply to all BMW vehicles, not just the 520d sedans," he claimed. "Even though I own a gasoline engine vehicle, relatively less of a risk than diesel cars, it is still uncomfortable. And people around me keep asking me if I'm okay with driving it." 

Tom Dahl-Hansen, 72, a Norwegian expat living in Seoul, said he stopped driving his BMW 520d xDrive a week ago and now faced the inconvenience of lengthy public transport journeys. 

"I don't want to get me, my wife, or other people in trouble if it starts a fire, particularly if it's in a tunnel where it can really be bad," he said. "Also, I heard taxi drivers don't want to drive next to BMW cars."

BMW, the second-most popular foreign carmaker in South Korea, said it had learned of the problems in 2016, but only identified the root cause in June this year. 

The South Korean government launched its own probe into affected models on July 16. Kim Hyun-mee, South Korea’s transport minister, said the country would investigated the case in a “thorough and transparent manner” and take legal action if necessary. 

A total of 13 South Korean owners of BMW vehicles filed a class action lawsuit against the German automaker on Friday, claiming 5 million won (£3,438) in compensation as they no longer felt safe driving their cars, reported Yonhap News Agency.