An in-use BMW burst into flames for the third time this month. The cause is still unknown. BMW Korea has yet to issue a statement regarding the fires, thus fueling consumer distrust in the German luxury marque.
On Sunday (Nov. 8) around 01:00 p.m. a BMW caught on fire near Cheonggye Tollgate of Seoul Outer Ring Expressway. According to fire fighters and the BMW car owner, the car’s engine suddenly stopped, so the owner pulled over to the curb and opened the hood to find that a fire had started near the battery.
It marks the third time this month a BMW has burst into flames on the road. On November 5, a BMW 520D caught on fire a day after the car was repaired under a recall. Thus, the owner staged a protest in front of the dealership.
In September, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs ordered BMW to recall its 520D models. With still no word from BMW, speculation is mounting over the cause of the fires in the industry.
Some say the tensioner that controls the timing belt may have malfunctioned while others suspect that the fires are linked to the recall. However, as a BMW that wasn’t recalled caught fire, many attribute the fires to other unknown defects.
“BMW owners in Korea are very much concerned about their safety. BMW must disclose the cause of the fires and come up with consumer protection measures as soon as possible,” a BMW owner complained.
After the first BMW fire broke out, BMW Korea said that it would get to the bottom of it and officially announce the cause. However, there’s been no word from the carmaker since then.
