By James Salmon for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:02 GMT, 1 March 2019 | Updated: 22:03 GMT, 1 March 2019
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More than 130,000 BMW owners have not been warned they are driving cars at risk of bursting into flames.
BMW pledged to contact drivers about the potentially lethal fault last October but has so far issued warnings to fewer than half of owners affected.
The fault affects more than 250,000 cars in the UK – 1.6million worldwide – and can cause flammable coolant to leak on to the burning hot exhaust system near the engine, potentially triggering a fire.
More than 130,000 BMW owners have not been warned they are driving cars at risk of bursting into flames. BMW pledged to contact drivers about the potentially lethal fault last October but has so far issued warnings to fewer than half of owners affected
Safe: Jacqueline Anthonipillai (above, with her daughter Leah) was crossing London on November 20 when her BMW 5 Series suddenly lost power and burst into flames
Jacqueline Anthonipillai only found out she was driving a potential firetrap after her BMW burst into flames.
She was crossing London on November 20 when her 5 Series suddenly lost power. On stopping, she heard a ‘crackling’ sound and smelled smoke.
Mrs Anthonipillai, 32, got out but then went back in to fetch her mobile phone.
The door then jammed, meaning she had to barge her way out.
Minutes later the car burst into flames. Videos reveal it was destroyed at the front near where the faulty module sits.
BMW has so far refused to accept liability while the wreckage is inspected. Three months after the incident, the family are waiting for the laboratory results to come back.
Mrs Anthonipillai said: ‘I feel lucky to escape and that my daughter [Leah] was not in the car. I feel scared to drive BMW alone.’
Above, Mrs Anthonipillai's car. BMW has so far refused to accept liability while the wreckage is inspected. Three months after the incident, the family are waiting for the laboratory results to come back
The German car giant has been accused of failing to act quickly enough on the threat and is facing criminal investigation in South Korea over delays.
Last night Graham Stringer, a Labour MP on the Commons transport committee, said: ‘The facts are very disturbing. BMW has not got a very good record on safety recalls.
'I will write to the Secretary of State for Transport to ask what action will be taken. I also hope the transport committee will look at this as life and limb is at risk.’
BMW is already
