South Korea: BMW to face criminal inquiry over engine fires

According to a media report, South Korea's transport ministry has fined BMW US$ 10 million for belatedly recalling 22,670 cars and plans to ask prosecutors to investigate the carmaker.

In August 2018, BMW recalled diesel cars in South Korea due to defects in the exhaust gas recirculation system. The German company is now facing a criminal probe after investigators concluded that the fire hazard was concealed and the recalls delayed.

It was revealed that BMW knew about this issue back in 2016, but the actual reason for the cars catching fire was identified only in July 2018. The recall was issued after 27 BMW cars caught fire between January and July 2018. A total of 106,000 cars were recalled in South Korea and a public apology was issued as well. Additionally, 324,000 cars were recalled in Europe as well.

Source: Economic Times