How to Tell If Your Car Is at Risk of Catching Fire

You can’t predict every vehicle fire, but there are clear warning signs: the smell of burning rubber or plastic, visible smoke or steam, overheating, electrical malfunctions (flickering lights, repeatedly blown fuses), fluid leaks, and dashboard warnings. If you notice any of these, pull over safely, shut the vehicle down, evacuate everyone, move away, and call emergency services. Below is a detailed guide to recognizing risks, what to do, and how to prevent vehicle fires in both gasoline/diesel and electric/hybrid cars.

Why Vehicles Catch Fire

Vehicle fires usually start when heat meets fuel and oxygen, often triggered by mechanical failures, electrical faults, fluid leaks, or crash damage. Internal-combustion vehicles (gasoline/diesel) typically ignite from hot exhaust or engine components contacting flammable fluids, while hybrids and EVs can experience high-voltage or battery-related failures that may lead to thermal runaway. Understanding these pathways helps you spot early signs.

Warning Signs While Driving

These indicators while the car is in motion suggest a fire risk or an active incipient fire. Treat any one of them seriously and act immediately.

• Smells: acrid burning plastic (wiring), hot rubber (belts/hoses/tires), raw fuel (gasoline leak), oily or smoky odors (oil on hot surfaces), or a strong “maple syrup” sweet smell (coolant on hot parts).
• Smoke or vapor: wisps from the hood, wheel wells, floor vents, or underbody; blue/gray oily smoke or white vapor from hot coolant; any smoke inside the cabin is urgent.
• Overheating: temperature gauge spiking, red temperature light, loss of cabin heat followed by rising engine temp, or a glowing red catalytic converter under the car.
• Electrical problems: flickering lights, burning-electronics smell, melted or hot switches, repeat fuse blows, hot-to-touch dash/center console areas, or an overcharging alternator (sulfur/rotten-egg smell).
• Performance changes: sudden power loss, misfires, rough running, backfiring/popping, or a new loud exhaust note indicating damaged components near heat sources.
• Fluid leaks: visible drips or sheen under the car; fuel, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant can ignite on hot parts.
• Wheel-area heat: smoke, burning brake smell, or a dragging brake causing excessive heat in a single wheel well.
• Objects contacting the underbody: plastic bags, brush, or debris stuck near the exhaust or catalytic converter, potentially smoldering.

If you experience any of these, assume the risk is real. Pull over safely, shut down, evacuate, and get help rather than attempting to “nurse” the vehicle home.

Warning Signs While Parked or Charging

Fires can start when a vehicle is stationary—after being driven, while parked, or during charging (for electrified vehicles). These clues deserve immediate attention.

• Persistent hot or burning odors after shutdown, especially near the hood, wheel wells, or underbody.
• Ticking, popping, or hissing from the engine bay, battery area, or underfloor after parking.
• Smoke wisps from the grille, cowl, wheel wells, or beneath the vehicle.
• Fluid spots or puddles with strong fuel or chemical smells under the car.
• Aftermarket wiring warm to the touch, discolored connectors, or a trickle charger/tender that’s hot or melting.
• During charging (hybrid/EV): unusually hot charge connector or cable, scorching/plastic odor, charger errors, or visible discoloration at the inlet.

Stationary signs are just as urgent as on-road symptoms. If you suspect a problem, keep the vehicle outside and away from structures, and arrange inspection promptly.

Special Considerations for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

EV and hybrid systems are engineered with extensive safeguards, but high-voltage components and lithium-ion batteries require specific attention. Recognize these EV-specific warning signs.

• Battery thermal distress: hissing, popping, or crackling; white or gray vapor that may look like smoke; a sweet/solvent-like or acrid chemical odor; heat felt through the floor.
• Sudden warnings: high-voltage/charging system alerts, reduced-power or drivetrain malfunction messages, repeated isolation fault warnings.
• Charging anomalies: unusually slow or erratic charging, repeated charger faults, or a hot, discolored charge port or cable.
• After a crash, deep pothole strike, flood, or submersion: battery damage may not ignite immediately; fires can occur hours or days later.

If you suspect battery damage or overheating, stop using the vehicle, park it outside away from buildings and combustibles, and call your dealer or roadside assistance. If you observe smoke, heat, or venting, move well away and call emergency services—battery fires can intensify rapidly and may re-ignite after suppression.

Immediate Actions If You Suspect a Fire

When in doubt, prioritize safety. These steps reduce risk to you and others and help first responders.

1. Signal and pull over promptly to a safe, open area away from traffic, dry grass, or structures. Shift to Park, set the parking brake.
2. Turn the vehicle off. For hybrids/EVs, follow the power-down procedure; if safe, unplug from a charger before moving the vehicle.
3. Evacuate everyone immediately. Move at least 100 feet (30 meters) upwind and uphill if possible. Keep bystanders back.
4. Call emergency services. Provide location, vehicle type (gas, diesel, hybrid, EV), and visible signs (smoke, flames, odors).
5. Do not open the hood or trunk if smoke is present; introducing air can flash the fire.
6. Use a fire extinguisher only if the fire is very small and you have a clear exit. A dry chemical (ABC) extinguisher can address fuel and electrical fires; aim at the base and sweep. If unsure, back away and wait for firefighters.
7. Do not use water on fuel or energized electrical components. For EV battery fires, leave extinguishment to trained responders.
8. Place hazard triangles/flares if safe, and do not re-enter the vehicle for belongings.

These steps protect life first. Vehicles and cargo are replaceable; people are not.

Prevention and Maintenance

Most vehicle fires are preventable with attentive maintenance, careful use of accessories, and responding early to warning signs.

• Fix leaks promptly: fuel, oil, transmission, power steering, and coolant. Inspect hoses, clamps, and fuel lines.
• Address electrical issues: replace frayed wiring, correct loose grounds, and never bypass fuses. Use quality, fused circuits for aftermarket gear; avoid overloading 12V sockets.
• Keep heat in check: ensure heat shields are intact, catalytic converter isn’t overheating or clogged, and brakes aren’t dragging.
• Mind tires and wheels: correct pressures and alignment prevent overheating; a rubbing tire or liner can smolder.
• Keep the engine bay clean of leaves/debris and avoid parking on dry grass, which can ignite under a hot exhaust.
• Storage choices: don’t carry loose fuel cans or aerosol cans exposed to heat inside the cabin.
• EV/hybrid care: use approved charging equipment, avoid extension cords, keep software updated, and follow maker guidance after any impact or flooding; park outside if battery damage is suspected.
• Respond to recalls: check your VIN at the NHTSA recall lookup (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). Some recalls advise parking outside until repairs are completed.
• Carry a small ABC extinguisher and learn how to use it; keep it accessible, not buried in cargo.

Preventive habits and timely repairs drastically reduce fire risk and improve overall reliability.

What Different Smells and Smoke Colors Can Signal

Odors and smoke appearance can help you quickly assess the likely source and urgency.

• Burning plastic/ozone: wiring insulation or electronics overheating.
• Hot rubber: slipping belts, failing hoses, tire rub, or overheated components.
• Raw gasoline: fuel leak—extreme caution warranted.
• Oily/blue-gray smoke: oil contacting hot surfaces or drawn into the exhaust.
• Sweet “maple syrup” smell or white vapor: coolant leak on hot parts; can look like steam.
• Rotten egg/sulfur: overcharging 12V battery or catalytic converter issues.
• Acrid chemical or solvent-like odor with white/gray vapor (EV/hybrid): potential battery venting.
• Burning brake smell from one wheel: dragging brake or stuck caliper creating heat.

Any strong, unfamiliar smell accompanied by heat, smoke, or warnings should be treated as urgent—stop and investigate safely.

When to Seek Professional Inspection

Don’t ignore recurring or unexplained symptoms. A qualified technician can identify hazards you can’t see.

• After any overheating episode, electrical burning smell, repeated fuse blows, or visible smoke—even if it stops.
• Following a collision, deep water exposure, or striking road debris, especially for hybrids/EVs.
• Persistent fluid smells or leaks, or single-wheel heat/smoke.
• Any open safety recall, charging-system error, or high-voltage warning message.
• Aftermarket wiring or audio/lighting installations that coincide with new smells or faults.

Ask the shop to check fuel/EVAP lines, oil leaks, exhaust heat shields, catalytic temps, alternator/charging circuits, battery cables, harness integrity, and for EVs, high-voltage isolation and battery coolant systems.

Standards, Guidance, and Recall Resources

For authoritative safety information and recall checks, consult your owner’s manual, your automaker’s service bulletins, and these resources: the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall lookup (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls), guidance from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on vehicle and EV fire safety, and local fire departments’ public safety advisories. Follow manufacturer-specific instructions for shutdown and towing, especially for hybrids and EVs.

Summary

Cars rarely ignite without warning. Smells of burning rubber or plastic, smoke, overheating, electrical faults, fluid leaks, and dashboard alerts are the main clues your car could catch fire. If you notice them, pull over, power down, evacuate, and call for help—don’t open the hood or attempt risky repairs roadside. Prevent fires by fixing leaks, maintaining wiring, using proper charging gear, and addressing recalls. When in doubt, get a professional inspection and keep a safe distance until the risk is resolved.

How to tell if a car is about to catch fire?

Loud noises from the exhaust system. Rapid changes in fuel level, oil level, or engine temperature. Spilled oil after an oil change, a missing oil cap or one that doesn’t fit.

What cars are most likely to catch fire?

Hybrid vehicles currently have the highest rate of fires, with gasoline-powered cars second and electric vehicles (EVs) being the least prone to fires. Among specific models, Kias and Hyundais have a significant history of engine and electrical fires due to shared parts, while some high-end electric models like the Jaguar I-Pace have also faced fire recalls for battery issues. 
By Vehicle Type: 

• Hybrids: Opens in new tabThese vehicles have the highest reported fire rate, at approximately 3,475.5 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold.
• Gasoline Cars: Opens in new tabThese are the second most likely to catch fire, with a rate of 1,529.9 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Opens in new tabEVs have the lowest fire risk, with a rate of just 25.1 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold.

By Manufacturer/Model:

• Kias and Hyundais: These brands have a high risk due to shared parts leading to issues like engine oil leaks, faulty rod bearings, and electrical shorts. Recalls have affected millions of vehicles. 
• Specific Hybrid Models: The Hyundai Tucson and Sonata hybrids have been recalled due to issues that could cause engine fires. 
• Electric Models with Issues: The Jaguar I-Pace has had a high number of recalls for battery overheating, which can lead to fires, and owners are advised to park the vehicle away from structures. 
• Historical Examples: The Ford Pinto is infamous for a design flaw that caused its gas tank to rupture and cause fires in collisions. 

Why Hybrids are More Prone to Fires:

• The combination of a traditional gasoline engine, an electric battery, and the complex systems that manage both can lead to more potential points of failure. 
• While the exact reasons are still being studied, the high-voltage systems and the overlap of gasoline and electric components are believed to contribute to the elevated risk, according to a YouTube video. 

Where do car fires usually start?

Fuel leaks are a top cause of car fires because gasoline is incredibly flammable and can quickly start a fire in the vehicle. Electrical system failure: All cars have an electrical system that runs throughout the vehicle, including in the hood, doors, and through the powered seats.

How likely is it for a car to catch fire?

Car fires are fortunately not a common occurance, but they do happen every day in the United States. The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that 33 cars catch on fire every hour in the United States alone.