BMW says 94% of cars with at-risk EGRs have been fixed

BMW Korea said Thursday it has recalled 94 percent of vehicles with the faulty part that caused cars to burst into flames across the country last summer.

The Korean unit of the German automaker has fixed the faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in 96 percent, or 102,468 vehicles, of the 106,000 affected BMW models as of Thursday in the first round of recalls, which started in August last year, the company said in a statement.

In the second round of recalls that started in November, BMW Korea said it has fixed 91 percent, or 59,987 cars, of 65,000 BMW and Mini models with defective EGR systems.

BMW Korea has been struggling to recover from the two huge recalls last year after dozens of its vehicles began bursting into flames due to the defects. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, sales of BMW and Mini models between January and March this year plunged to 10,136 units from 20,677 during the same period last year.

It also faced a 14.5-billion-won ($12.8 million) fine earlier this year from the Seoul Central District Court for fabricating emissions certificates.

The company announced earlier this year that it is abiding by Korea’s lemon law for automakers, which obligates the company to exchange or reimburse customers for recently purchased vehicles that exhibit problems. BMW Group sells BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce models in Korea.

BMW Korea said it is concentrated on finalizing the recall efforts by partnering with car sellers and leasing offices. Customers that own BMW vehicles with faulty EGR systems can ask BMW to ship and return their cars for repair work if needed.

“We are trying to get in touch with customers whose vehicles are still not repaired,” the automaker said. “Our recall centers and local dealers have rolled up their sleeves to complete all of the recalls.”

BY KO JUN-TAE [ko.juntae@joongang.co.kr]