S. Korea Bans Recalled BMWs Over Fire Fears

The South Korean government has said it will ban about 20,000 BMWs from its streets after a spate of the vehicles catching fire. The ban will apply to cars which have not yet been sent to BMW for safety checks under a voluntary recall, BBC reported. Nearly 30 engines caught on fire in 2018 mainly in the BMW’s 520d sedan models. BMW has already come under scrutiny this year, recalling thousands of cars in the UK over safety issues. “The ministry will ask mayors to order owners of unchecked BMW vehicles to have their cars’ safety checked or to stop driving them,” Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee said on Tuesday, according to the Korea Times. Local governments have the authority to issue such orders under South Korean law. “The order will take effect as soon as the owners receive letters from mayors,” said Kim. BMW officials in South Korea apologized last week for the fires. They have put the problem down to defects in the exhaust gas recirculation system, according to Reuters. The South Korean government is also investigating the cause.