A Mercedes-Benz C300 caught fire and was destroyed in the Jangsan-2 Tunnel in Busan, South Korea, on March 8, 2024 [1, 2].
The incident raises questions about vehicle safety and manufacturer liability after the car ignited shortly after the driver resumed driving following a recent engine repair.
The driver, identified as A씨, reported that an engine warning light appeared and a smell of fuel filled the cabin at approximately 1:05 p.m. [1]. Within 10 minutes, the vehicle stalled and ignited inside the tunnel at 1:15 p.m. [1]. The blaze was severe enough to require the dispatch of 68 firefighters [1]. The vehicle, valued at 68,000,000 KRW, was reduced to ashes [2].
Prior to the fire, the driver had been in contact with a service center regarding the engine issues. A service center representative said, "Since driving is possible for now, if you go home and wait, we will take the car in the next day" [2].
Mercedes-Korea has since denied that the fire was caused by a manufacturing flaw. A spokesperson for Mercedes-Korea said there were no technical defects in the vehicle [2]. The company said that additional compensation for the loss of the car is not possible because of a double-compensation policy [2].
While the driver points to the recent repairs and warning signs as evidence of a failure, the manufacturer attributes the incident to driver error or external factors [2]. The company said that the existing compensation framework is sufficient and will not offer further financial reimbursement for the destroyed asset [2].
“The vehicle, valued at 68,000,000 KRW, was reduced to ashes.”
This dispute highlights the tension between consumer expectations of safety after professional repairs and the strict liability policies of luxury automakers. By citing a double-compensation policy, Mercedes-Korea is leveraging insurance frameworks to limit its direct financial exposure, shifting the burden of proof regarding technical failure onto the vehicle owner.
