How Likely Is a Car to Catch Fire?

In the United States, fire departments respond to roughly 170,000–200,000 highway vehicle fires each year, translating to an annual per-vehicle risk on the order of 0.05%–0.07% (about 1 in 1,400 to 1 in 2,000). Most incidents involve gasoline vehicles that are 10 years old or older, and the leading triggers are mechanical or electrical failures rather than crashes. Electric vehicles (EVs) ignite less frequently on a per-vehicle basis in most independent datasets, but battery fires can burn longer and require different tactics to extinguish.

What the Statistics Show

Recent analyses by U.S. fire organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) indicate that “highway vehicle fires” — a category that includes passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, and other on-road vehicles — still number in the high tens of thousands annually. When compared with the nation’s vehicle fleet (now well over 280 million registered vehicles), the annual probability that any given vehicle will be involved in a reported fire is small, but not negligible.

EVs versus gasoline and hybrid vehicles

Multiple independent studies from public safety agencies and insurers in countries with high EV uptake (including Norway and Sweden) have found that battery-electric vehicles ignite less often than gasoline or hybrid vehicles when normalized by fleet size. In the U.S., official national statistics do not yet provide a single, definitive EV-versus-ICE fire rate, but the consensus in peer-reviewed and agency reports is consistent: internal-combustion vehicles drive the vast majority of vehicle fires due to the presence of flammable liquids and hot exhaust components. However, when lithium-ion batteries do ignite — typically from severe crash damage, manufacturing defects, or improper repair/storage — they can produce prolonged, high-heat “thermal runaway” events that require specialized fire service tactics and sometimes post-extinguishment monitoring.

Why Vehicles Catch Fire

Vehicle fires rarely happen “out of nowhere.” They typically trace back to identifiable technical or human factors. Understanding the main causes can help owners manage risk and spot trouble early.

• Mechanical failure or malfunction: Heat from engines, catalytic converters, and braking systems can ignite nearby combustibles or fluids; worn hoses and gaskets can leak flammable liquids onto hot surfaces.
• Electrical system faults: Chafed wiring, poor grounds, aftermarket accessories installed without proper fusing, and battery/alternator issues can lead to shorts and arcing.
• Collisions and rollovers: Crash damage can rupture fuel lines or battery packs and create sparks, heat, or short circuits.
• Poor maintenance and recalls: Deferred repairs (e.g., oil leaks, fuel-rail issues) and unresolved safety recalls raise fire risk, especially in older vehicles.
• Human factors: Smoking materials, improper jump-starts, carrying fuel in unapproved containers, and parking over dry vegetation can start fires.
• Arson and vandalism: A minority of vehicle fires are intentional, often occurring in parking areas or during civil disturbances.

While no single factor explains every incident, the pattern is clear: defects or wear that let heat or electricity meet fuel are the dominant drivers, with crash-related fires a smaller but serious share.

Risk Varies by Vehicle Age, Maintenance, and Use

Age is a strong predictor: older vehicles accumulate heat cycles, corrosion, and wiring/insulation degradation, and they’re more likely to have unresolved recalls and leaks. Commercial use (e.g., high-mileage delivery) and severe operating conditions (towing, mountain descents) add heat and stress. Garaging a vehicle can reduce environmental wear but introduces structure exposure; if a fire starts in a garage, it can escalate quickly, which is why manufacturers and fire services emphasize proper charging practices for plug-in vehicles and safe storage of fuels and batteries.

How to Reduce the Risk

A few practical habits materially lower the odds of a fire and can limit damage if one does occur. These steps focus on preventing heat, electricity, and fuel from combining — and on catching small problems before they become dangerous.

• Keep up with maintenance: Fix fluid leaks promptly; replace brittle hoses and chafed wiring; service brakes to prevent overheating.
• Check and close recalls: Search your VIN on your national safety agency’s website (e.g., NHTSA in the U.S.) and schedule recall repairs at no cost.
• Use electrical accessories correctly: Avoid overloading circuits; install add-ons with proper fuses and professional wiring.
• Mind warning signs: Burning smells, smoke, flickering lights, frequently blown fuses, and sudden temperature spikes warrant immediate inspection.
• Park smart: Don’t idle or park over dry grass; keep combustibles away from hot exhaust; store fuels in approved containers.
• For plug-in vehicles: Use certified chargers, follow manufacturer charging guidance, avoid using damaged cables, and charge in well-ventilated areas.
• Carry basics: A small, automotive-rated extinguisher (ABC or BC) can stop very small fires if used immediately and safely; never open a hood fully if you suspect flames inside.

No step makes the risk zero, but together these measures significantly reduce the likelihood of ignition and can prevent small incidents from escalating.

What to Do If Your Car Catches Fire

Swift, calm action protects people first and limits damage. The following steps reflect guidance commonly recommended by fire safety agencies.

1. Pull over safely: Signal, stop, and shift to Park; set the parking brake and turn off the engine (or traction system for EVs).
2. Evacuate immediately: Get everyone out and move at least 100 feet (30 meters) upwind; keep bystanders back.
3. Call emergency services: Give your location, describe the vehicle and visible flames or smoke, and note if it’s an EV or hybrid.
4. Do not open the hood or trunk: Introducing air can intensify the fire; if using an extinguisher on a tiny fire, aim through gaps, then retreat.
5. Stay clear of traffic and hazards: Watch for explosions of tires or struts; don’t re-enter the vehicle for belongings.
6. After the incident: Arrange towing to a qualified facility; EVs and hybrids may require post-fire monitoring and quarantine per manufacturer guidance.

Prioritize life safety. Vehicles are replaceable; opening compartments or lingering near a burning car greatly increases personal risk.

Bottom Line

A car catching fire is statistically uncommon — roughly a few hundredths of a percent per vehicle per year in the U.S. — but not rare enough to ignore. Most fires stem from preventable mechanical or electrical issues in older gasoline vehicles, while EVs appear less likely to ignite but can burn differently when they do. Staying current on maintenance and recalls, using electrical accessories and chargers correctly, and reacting quickly to warning signs are the most effective ways to keep the risk low.

Which 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.

Why would a car suddenly burst into flames?

Fluid (especially fuel) leaks, electrical problems, crudely installed and/or low quality aftermarket accessories, design flaws, and driving over combustible materials like dried leaves or grass are the most common reasons. In some cases, an overheating engine or exhaust system could be a fire hazard too.

How common is it for a car to catch fire?

While not extremely common, car fires still happen with some frequency, with statistics varying by source and year, but generally indicating hundreds of thousands of incidents annually in the U.S.. Mechanical or electrical failures are the most frequent causes, with collisions accounting for a smaller percentage of fires but a higher number of fatalities. 
Frequency of Car Fires

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates Opens in new tabsuggest that annual vehicle fires average around 119,000 to 152,000 in the U.S. 
• Fire-related data Opens in new tabshows that vehicle fires account for about one in every eight reported fires and one in eight fire deaths. 

Causes of Vehicle Fires

• Mechanical or Electrical Failures Opens in new tabare the primary cause of most car fires, responsible for about two-thirds of incidents. 
• Collisions Opens in new tabcontribute to a smaller percentage of highway vehicle fires (about 4%) but are responsible for a disproportionately high number of deaths. 
• Fuel Leaks Opens in new tabare particularly dangerous, as a small number of fuel-related fires account for a larger portion of fire deaths. 

Key Takeaways

• Car fires are a significant, albeit not the most common, type of fire incident. 
• Preventive maintenance and addressing mechanical or electrical issues can reduce risk. 
• While less frequent, accident-related fires pose a greater risk of injury and death, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).