How likely is a car to blow up?

It’s extraordinarily unlikely. Modern cars almost never “blow up” the way they do in movies; while vehicle fires do occur, true explosions require very specific conditions and are rare thanks to robust fuel-system engineering, crash standards, and safety valves. Most incidents involve localized fires—not cinematic fireballs—and are typically linked to crashes, electrical faults, or severe overheating.

What “blow up” really means in the real world

In everyday speech, “blow up” suggests a sudden, violent fireball. Technically, that’s an explosion—rapid combustion of a fuel-air mix or a failure of a pressurized vessel (like a propane or compressed natural gas tank). Most car fires are not explosions: they are compartment fires that develop in the engine bay or after a serious collision. Airbags use fast-gas generators, not explosives, and their deployment can be loud and smoky but is not a vehicle explosion.

How often do car fires and explosions happen?

Vehicle fires are uncommon events relative to the hundreds of millions of cars on the road and billions of miles driven each day. U.S. fire-service data show that the majority of highway vehicle fires involve gasoline or diesel vehicles, largely because they make up most of the fleet. Statistically, the typical driver’s annual chance of any vehicle fire is on the order of one in several thousand; the chance that a fire escalates into a true explosion is far smaller. Electric-vehicle fires are also rare; independent, registration-adjusted studies in multiple countries suggest EVs are not catching fire more often than conventional cars, though when battery fires do occur they behave differently and can be harder to extinguish. Precise “explosion” tallies are scarce because incident reports focus on fires; where noted, explosions are a small subset associated with severe crashes, fuel-vapor ignition, or pressurized tanks.

What conditions can actually cause a car to explode?

An explosion needs both energy and the right fuel environment. In vehicles, that usually means flammable vapor mixed with air in the right proportions, an ignition source, or a pressurized vessel exposed to extreme heat. Here are the realistic scenarios:

• Ruptured fuel system with vapor cloud ignition: A high-energy crash that tears fuel lines or tanks can produce a vapor plume that ignites, causing a brief fireball. Modern tanks, valves, and evaporative controls make this unlikely outside severe impacts.
• BLEVE of pressurized fuel tanks (CNG/LPG): Compressed natural gas or propane tanks can fail catastrophically if pressure-relief devices are compromised and the tank is engulfed in fire, though tanks are engineered to vent before rupture.
• Accumulated gasoline vapors in an enclosed space: Fuel leaks in a closed garage can create explosive vapor-air mixtures; switching lights or opening doors can provide the spark. Good ventilation and prompt repair mitigate this.
• Battery off-gas ignition (EVs/hybrids): During thermal runaway, lithium-ion cells release flammable gases. In open air, this typically produces jets and flash fires; in confined spaces, gases can accumulate and ignite explosively.
• Aftermarket or damaged fuel/energy systems: Poorly routed fuel lines, non-OEM performance mods (e.g., nitrous plumbing), or substandard electrical wiring can create ignition hazards.
• Cargo or accessories under pressure: Propane cylinders, aerosol cans, oxygen tanks, or even over-pressurized tires can explode in fires, sometimes mistaken for a “car” blowing up.

Each of these scenarios requires very specific failures or environments. Modern safety design—crashworthy fuel tanks, shutoff valves, inertia switches, battery management systems, and pressure-relief devices—aims to prevent the preconditions long before an explosion is possible.

Which vehicles carry higher or lower explosion risk?

Gasoline and diesel vehicles

Liquid fuel itself doesn’t explode; its vapors can. Today’s vehicles use reinforced tanks, anti-siphon fillers, rollover valves, inertia fuel-pump cutoffs, and fire-resistant routing to keep vapors contained and shut off fuel after impacts. Most post-crash fires are contained rather than explosive. Aging vehicles with deteriorated hoses, leaking injectors, or rodent-damaged wiring, and cars with poorly executed modifications, are at higher risk.

Hybrids and battery-electric vehicles

EVs and hybrids eliminate large volumes of flammable liquid fuel, reducing classic fuel-vapor explosions. Their unique hazard is battery thermal runaway, which can produce intense heat and flammable gases. In the open, this presents as venting and flame jets rather than a “bomb-like” blast; in enclosed areas (garages, ferries), off-gas accumulation can create an explosive mixture. Fleet-adjusted data to date indicate EV fires are rare overall, but when they occur, they demand different firefighting tactics and extended cooling.

CNG, LPG, and hydrogen vehicles

These fuels are stored under pressure. Tanks include pressure-relief devices designed to vent safely in a fire. A BLEVE—catastrophic rupture—requires extreme, sustained heating with failed venting and is uncommon. Hydrogen disperses rapidly upward, which can reduce ground-level flashover risk outdoors but still demands caution in enclosed spaces and tunnels.

Practical ways to reduce the already tiny risk

Basic maintenance and a few habits significantly cut the odds of any fire, and make an explosion-level event vanishingly unlikely.

• Keep up with maintenance: Replace brittle fuel hoses, fix oil leaks, and address fuel smells immediately. For EVs/hybrids, investigate battery, charging, or high-voltage warnings without delay.
• Check recalls: Use your VIN in your national recall database (e.g., NHTSA in the U.S.) and complete fixes—many fire risks are recallable defects.
• Refuel and charge safely: Don’t overfill the tank; avoid running fuel pumps with the cap off; use certified EVSE and avoid damaged charging cables.
• Wire correctly: Add-on audio/lighting should use proper fuses, gauges, and routing; avoid tapping into high-current circuits without OEM guidance.
• Store flammables properly: Don’t keep gasoline cans, propane cylinders, or aerosol paints in the cabin; ventilate garages and avoid charging near volatile chemical storage.
• Be cautious after a crash: If you smell fuel or see smoke, exit, move upwind, and call emergency services; don’t attempt to restart the vehicle.
• Mind the battery pack: Never jack or lift under an EV battery; avoid underbody impacts that can puncture cells; follow manufacturer guidance after deep water exposure.

These steps address the root causes—leaks, faulty wiring, confined vapors, and damaged energy systems—dramatically reducing already low odds of a serious incident.

What to do if you suspect a fire or smell fuel

Quick, calm action protects you and others. Here’s a concise plan that professionals recommend.

1. Pull over safely, stop the car, shift to park, and shut everything down (engine, electrics). For hybrids/EVs, power off fully.
2. Evacuate all occupants and move at least 150 feet (50 meters) upwind. Warn bystanders to stay back.
3. Call emergency services and give your exact location. Mention the fuel type (gasoline/diesel, EV, hybrid, CNG/LPG/hydrogen) if known.
4. Do not open the hood or trunk; introducing air can flash a smolder into flame. Use a portable extinguisher only for very small, incipient fires from a safe distance.
5. If in a garage, evacuate, close doors if safe to do so, and let firefighters handle ventilation; do not re-enter for belongings.
6. For EVs/hybrids, alert responders to high-voltage risks and keep the vehicle isolated after a fire is knocked down due to potential re-ignition.

This approach prioritizes life safety and gives firefighters the best conditions to prevent escalation, including rare explosion scenarios.

What movies get wrong

On-screen car blasts make for great drama but poor science. Here are the common myths—and the reality.

• Myth: A bullet to the tank makes a car explode. Reality: Tanks are tough; even penetrations usually cause leaks, not fireballs, without an ignition source and the right vapor mix.
• Myth: Cars explode on minor impact. Reality: Modern designs isolate and shut off fuel; minor crashes almost never produce explosions.
• Myth: EVs are “ticking time bombs.” Reality: Battery fires are rare and technically different; they demand specific conditions and are mitigated by battery management and thermal protections.

Understanding the physics—and modern safety design—dispels the cinematic illusion of routine car explosions.

Sources and further reading

The following resources offer authoritative data and guidance on vehicle fire risks and response.

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Highway Vehicle Fires (latest reports): https://www.nfpa.org
• U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Recalls and defect investigations: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
• U.S. Department of Transportation PHMSA — CNG/LPG tank safety and emergency response: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov
• NTSB — Safety risks to emergency responders from lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles (Safety Report): https://www.ntsb.gov
• SAE International — Electric and hybrid vehicle fire safety practices (e.g., SAE J2990): https://www.sae.org
• UK National Fire Chiefs Council — EV and alternative fuel vehicle fire operational guidance: https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk

Consulting primary standards, incident analyses, and recall databases gives the most current picture of real-world risk and the protections built into modern vehicles.

Bottom line

Cars rarely “blow up.” True explosions demand unusual, specific failures—typically a severe crash with fuel-vapor ignition or a pressurized tank compromised in fire. Routine maintenance, recall compliance, and sensible refueling/charging practices reduce an already tiny risk even further. If you ever smell fuel or see smoke, evacuate, keep your distance, and call professionals—safety first.

Do cars blow up when caught on fire?

There are really only two situations where your car might explode: You are carrying something explosive, such as a propane tank, that is triggered by an outside force. If your car catches fire while carrying a propane tank, you might be in danger of an explosion.

How likely is a car explosion?

While it is technically possible for a car to explode, explosions are exceedingly rare. There are really only two situations in which your car might explode: You are carrying something like a propane tank or something else that is explosive and is triggered by an outside force.

How rare is it for a car to catch on fire?

Car fires are rare, but not uncommon; the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates about 215,000 vehicle fires annually in the U.S., representing a roughly 0.04% annual chance of fire for a vehicle on the road. The main causes are mechanical failures (44%) and electrical malfunctions (32%), which ignite flammable liquids, fumes, or other materials under the hood or in the vehicle.
 
Statistics

• Frequency: The NFPA reports over 200,000 vehicle fires annually in the U.S. 
• Likelihood: Given millions of registered vehicles, the chance of any single vehicle catching fire is very low. 

Common Causes

• Mechanical Failures: A leading cause, including issues with engine oil levels, overheating brakes, and other engine or component failures. 
• Electrical Malfunctions: Cracked or damaged wiring, short circuits, and other issues with the vehicle’s electrical system. 
• Flammable Liquids: Gasoline, diesel fuel, and other fluids can catch fire if their containers, hoses, or lines are damaged. 
• Fume Ignition: Accumulation of flammable vapors that can be ignited by a spark or hot surface. 
• Wear and Tear: Age and poor maintenance can lead to various issues that increase fire risk. 
• Design Flaws: Defects from the manufacturer can also contribute to vehicle fires. 

Prevention Tips

• Regular Maintenance: Follow your car’s recommended maintenance schedule to catch potential issues early. 
• Professional Inspections: Have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic for any signs of leaks or electrical problems. 
• Keep it Clean: Don’t store flammable materials like rags or paper towels under the hood, as they can ignite. 
• Be Aware of Recalls: Stay informed about safety recalls, as they often relate to defects that can increase the risk of fire. 

How much wind will blow a car?

An average person could be moved by a 67 mph wind, and an average car can be moved by a 90 mph wind. Isn’t it great how math can help us with so many questions? SEE MORE: Weather: Like It or Not!