By Kim Young Shin and Hahm Hee-eun

Due to a series of recent engine fires in a range of BMW models, the government has announced its plans to increase punitive damages against the German car-maker.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee reviewed the BMW case during a visit to the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute, part of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi-do Province, on Aug. 8. Minister Kim said, “We will talk with related organizations and actively push for compensation. Punitive damages against BMW will be strengthened so that severe penalties can be imposed on all manufacturers that do not enact prompt recalls, or that intentionally conceal information about defects.”

The transport minister also said that experts will thoroughly investigate the causes of the fires by the end of this year, in order to set legal groundwork in a comprehensive manner.

Minister Kim urged the owners of recalled models to undergo an emergency safety diagnosis by Aug. 14, and to refrain from using the vehicle before the diagnosis.



According to the data reported by Shin Chang-hyun, a member of the Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee at the National Assembly, a total of 34 engine fires have occurred in BMW sedans between Jan. 2 and Aug. 4 this year, with 18 cases alone in July and August.

BMW Korea Chairman Kim Hyo-joon also held a press conference and officially apologized to the government and to the people of Korea for the engine fires at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on Aug. 6.

Kim said, “More than 10 professionals from BMW’s multinational project team visited Korea to solve this problem as soon as possible. BMW Korea and its related partners are closely working with government authorities to ensure that safety diagnoses and voluntary recalls are carried out immediately without difficulties.”

BMW also announced the cause of the engine fires, saying that they were all related to leaking in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler.

As of now, 42 BMW models, including the 520d, are subject to a recall. In total, 106,317 vehicles are expected to get new EGR parts after the recall is complete.

During a cabinet meeting on Aug. 7, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said that BMW’s belated apology and repeated explanations of the engine fires have failed to gain the public’s trust.

Prime Minister Lee said, “The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should prepare acceptable follow-up measures. Despite legal restrictions, the ministry needs to do all that is possible and prepare ways to improve insufficient regulations for the future.”


ysk1111@korea.kr