BMW has just announced that it is expanding a recall to cover a total of 1.6 million vehicles globally because of possible fluid leaks that could result in a fire, the Associated Press reports. The German automaker believes that in some of its diesel vehicles coolant could leak from the exhaust gas recirculation module, which is part of the emissions reduction system. The leaks may then mix with soot at high temperatures and start a fire. BMW has already decided to recall some 480,000 vehicles in Asia and Europe following reports of fires in South Korea. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

This all began a few years ago when certain BMW models began bursting into flames in South Korea. The German automaker had no immediate explanation for the fires, but it began investigating. Several months later, it issued a recall for a little over 150,000 vehicles, of which 136,000 were in the US. The affected vehicles - X5s, X6s, and 5 and 6 Series vehicles built between 2007 and 2012 - were believed to have a wiring problem for the fuel pump. A loose connection and improper contact could cause the connector to melt, and turn into a fuel leak. The car would then likely stall and a fire could erupt.

Jump ahead to this past August and South Korea decided to ban 20,000 BMWs from its roads due to more engine fires. A total of 13 owners there filed a class action lawsuit against BMW and even the South Korean government appealed to affected owners not to drive their cars. The vehicle in question here is the diesel-powered 520d. The recall announced today is for vehicles built between 2010 and 2017. BMW says affected customers, 54,000 of whom live in the US and Canada, will be contacted shortly. Hopefully, the problem has been solved once and for all.