What Are the Odds Your Car Will Catch Fire?

In the United States, the annual odds that a passenger vehicle will experience a fire reported to a fire department are on the order of 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000, based on recent national fire incident data and vehicle fleet/mileage figures through 2022–2023. That translates to roughly 0.05%–0.07% per vehicle per year, with most fires stemming from mechanical or electrical faults rather than crashes. Risk varies by vehicle age, maintenance, usage, and powertrain type; while internal-combustion vehicles account for the vast majority of incidents, electric-vehicle fires are generally rarer but can be more complex to extinguish when they occur.

How those odds are calculated

National estimates from U.S. fire authorities indicate roughly 170,000 to 190,000 highway vehicle fires in a typical year. With about 280–290 million registered vehicles and 3.2–3.3 trillion vehicle miles traveled annually, that equates to approximately 50–60 fires per billion miles traveled and an annual, per-vehicle probability in the 0.05%–0.07% range. Because not every small fire is reported and because “highway vehicle” includes cars, SUVs, pickups, motorcycles, buses, and heavy trucks, the precise odds for just passenger cars sit within that range rather than at a single exact figure.

What most often causes vehicle fires

Vehicle fires usually trace back to heat, sparks, or short circuits meeting flammable materials like fuel, oils, plastics, or interior fabrics. The following list outlines the leading patterns investigators and insurers regularly cite.

• Electrical faults: Chafed wiring, corroded connectors, failed alternators, and short circuits can overheat components or ignite nearby materials.
• Fluid leaks and hot surfaces: Fuel, oil, or power-steering fluid leaking onto exhaust manifolds or catalytic converters can ignite.
• Engine overheating: Cooling-system failures can overheat components, degrade wiring insulation, and start fires.
• Crashes: Post-collision fires occur when damage compromises fuel systems, batteries, or wiring harnesses.
• Aftermarket modifications: Improperly fused audio gear, light bars, remote starters, or performance parts increase electrical load and risk.
• Charging or battery issues (EVs and hybrids): Rare compared with overall vehicle fires, but thermal-runaway events can be severe and persistent.
• Arson and vandalism: A nontrivial share of vehicle fires are intentionally set, especially in urban areas.

While the ignition source varies, the common thread is unmanaged heat near combustible materials; good maintenance and proper installation practices substantially cut risk across all categories.

Who faces higher or lower risk

Not all drivers face the same probability. The following factors help explain why some vehicles are more likely to catch fire than others.

• Vehicle age: Older vehicles have more wear, degraded insulation, and higher leak and corrosion risks.
• Maintenance history: Deferred repairs (especially leaks, frayed belts, failing alternators, and warning-light neglect) raise fire risk.
• Recall status: Open recalls—particularly fuel-system, charging, or electrical harness campaigns—are correlated with elevated fire risk until fixed.
• Operating conditions: Towing, mountain grades, hot climates, and dusty environments stress cooling and electrical systems.
• Modifications and loads: Added electronics, roof-tent wiring, auxiliary batteries, or cargo that shifts into wiring increase hazards if not fused and secured properly.
• Powertrain type: Internal-combustion vehicles dominate fire totals because they vastly outnumber EVs and carry flammable liquids; multiple government datasets in Europe and Australia show EVs with lower incident rates per vehicle, though EV fires require different tactics and can be harder to extinguish.

Broadly, a well-maintained, newer vehicle with no open recalls and factory-spec electricals is markedly less likely to catch fire than an older, modified, or poorly maintained one.

How to reduce the odds

Most vehicle fire risks are manageable. The steps below reflect practices recommended by fire agencies, safety researchers, and automakers.

1. Fix leaks promptly: Address any smell or visible sign of fuel, oil, or coolant leaks.
2. Stay current on maintenance: Replace worn belts, hoses, batteries, and corroded cables; heed warning lights.
3. Check recalls: Run your VIN through your automaker or national recall databases and complete campaigns without delay.
4. Protect wiring: Secure harnesses away from sharp edges and heat; use grommets and abrasion sleeves where needed.
5. Fuse all add-ons: Install properly rated fuses close to the power source for any aftermarket electrical equipment.
6. Keep the engine bay clean: Remove debris (leaves, nesting materials) that can ignite on hot components.
7. Carry a small extinguisher: A 1–2.5 lb ABC or BC automotive-rated extinguisher can stop minor incidents if used early and safely.
8. Park smart after hard driving: After towing or mountain climbs, avoid parking over dry grass that could ignite under a hot catalytic converter.

No single step eliminates risk, but together they materially lower the chance of a fire and improve outcomes if one starts.

What to do if you suspect a fire

Speed and distance are your allies. If you smell burning, see smoke, or notice sudden temperature or electrical issues, take the following actions.

1. Signal and pull over immediately: Choose a safe area away from traffic and dry vegetation.
2. Shut down and exit: Turn off the engine (or power), engage the parking brake, and have all occupants exit quickly.
3. Move upwind and back: Stand at least 100 feet away; keep the hood closed—opening it feeds oxygen.
4. Call emergency services: Report your location and whether smoke or flames are visible.
5. Use an extinguisher only if small and safe: From a distance, aim at the base of visible flames; do not attempt if the fire is spreading or inside the cabin/battery.

Once extinguished, do not restart the vehicle; have it towed for inspection, as fires can reignite or mask critical damage.

By the numbers

The figures below provide a concise statistical frame for understanding how often vehicle fires occur and how that translates to personal risk.

• Estimated U.S. highway vehicle fires per year: roughly 170,000–190,000 (multi-year averages through 2022 from national fire reports).
• Registered vehicles: about 280–290 million (latest federal registrations).
• Vehicle miles traveled: approximately 3.2–3.3 trillion annually (FHWA 2022–2023).
• Incidence per billion miles: about 50–60 fires.
• Annual per-vehicle probability: roughly 0.05%–0.07% (about 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000).
• Lifetime (12–15 years) ownership risk: approximately 0.6%–1.0% if risk is independent year to year; higher for older, high-mileage, or poorly maintained vehicles.

These are population-level estimates; your individual risk will be higher or lower depending on vehicle type, condition, use, and environment.

Methodology and caveats

Fire counts come from national fire incident sampling, which captures most but not all events. “Highway vehicle” includes passenger vehicles and other road-going equipment. Underreporting of small fires and differences in classification add uncertainty. Fleet composition, average vehicle age (now over 12 years in the U.S.), and miles traveled also shift year to year, changing the true odds slightly. International risks differ based on fleet age, inspection regimes, climate, and fuel standards.

Summary

Your car is unlikely to catch fire in any given year—roughly a 1-in-1,500 to 1-in-2,000 chance in the U.S.—but the consequences can be severe. Most fires start with electrical or mechanical issues, not crashes, and the biggest risk factors are age, deferred maintenance, and poorly executed modifications. Staying current on recalls, fixing leaks and wiring issues promptly, and practicing safe operation meaningfully reduce the odds and improve safety if a fire does occur.

How many vehicles catch fire every year?

In the United States, there is an annual average of about 215,096 vehicle fires from 2018-2022, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 2021 alone, there were approximately 174,000 highway vehicle fires. 
Key details about vehicle fires in the U.S.:

• Frequency: Roughly 215,000 vehicle fires occur annually in the U.S. 
• Causes: The most common causes include mechanical failure (e.g., engine, running gear, or wheel area) and electrical issues. 
• Impact: These fires result in hundreds of civilian deaths, thousands of civilian injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage each year. 
• Fire departments’ role: Vehicle fires account for about 16% of all fire incidents responded to by U.S. fire departments. 

While car fires are not a daily occurrence, their potential to grow rapidly and cause severe damage or injury is significant.

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. 

What are the chances of a car catching on fire?

The percentage chance of your vehicle catching fire in a given year is very low, less than one-half of one percent (0.04%) for gasoline-powered cars, and even lower for electric vehicles. This rate has been consistent over the past few years, with recent increases in total vehicle fires being offset by the growing number of vehicles on the road.
 
Statistics on Vehicle Fires

• Overall Risk: While vehicle fires are frightening, the overall probability of a car fire is less than 0.04% annually, based on data from around 2018. 
• Recent Trends: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there were over 200,000 vehicle fires in the U.S. in 2023, but even this number represents a tiny fraction of the total number of vehicles on the road. 
• Vehicle Type: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has no specific data tracking fire by vehicle type, but the higher number of gas-powered vehicles on the road contributes to more fires in that category. 
• Electric Vehicles: Reports from the UK suggest that electric vehicles (EVs) have a significantly lower fire risk than gasoline-powered cars, with one study finding the risk to be substantially less. 

What Increases Your Risk 

• Poor Maintenance: Keeping your vehicle in good working condition is one of the best ways to prevent a fire.
• Heat and Friction: Unintentional actions like a lack of maintenance, electrical failures, and friction from moving parts are primary causes of vehicle fires.
• Open Flames: Open flames and careless behaviors account for many vehicle fires.

How to Reduce Your Risk

• Regular Maintenance: Opens in new tabHave your vehicle routinely inspected and serviced by a qualified mechanic. 
• Address Issues Promptly: Opens in new tabDon’t ignore warning signs like engine trouble or electrical glitches, as these can be precursors to a fire. 
• Avoid Flammable Items: Opens in new tabKeep flammable materials and open flames away from your vehicle’s interior and engine bay. 

How do most car fires start?

Most car fires start due to leaks of highly flammable fuel or the ignition of flammable liquids from a hot component like the exhaust system or a spark from faulty electrical wiring. Poor maintenance and car accidents are often contributing factors, creating conditions for these ignition sources to come into contact with flammable materials.
 
Here are the main causes of car fires:

• Fuel system leaks: Leaks from the fuel system are the most common cause of car fires. The gasoline is highly flammable and can ignite from a spark or a hot component. 
• Electrical issues: Damaged or faulty electrical wiring, whether from wear and tear, rodents, or an accident, can short-circuit and ignite surrounding flammable materials. 
• Overheated components: Components like the catalytic converter can get incredibly hot. If a heat shield is missing or nearby materials are present, the high heat can cause them to ignite. 
• Spilled fluids: Spilled engine oil, transmission fluid, or other hazardous fluids can accumulate and become a fire risk, especially when they come into contact with hot parts of the engine or exhaust. 
• Car accidents: A car crash can cause damage to fuel lines, electrical systems, or other components, creating conditions that lead to a fire. 

What you should do if you see smoke or smell gas:

• Stop the car immediately: and evacuate the vehicle as quickly as possible. 
• Call 911: or your local emergency services. 
• Do not try to extinguish: the fire unless you have a suitable fire extinguisher and the fire is small and contained. 

How to prevent car fires:

• Maintain your vehicle properly: Regular maintenance can prevent fuel leaks, electrical issues, and overheating components. 
• Be aware of smells: Never ignore a smell of gasoline or burning plastic, as this could indicate a serious problem. 
• Avoid accumulating debris: Keep your engine bay clean and free of flammable materials like oil or leaves.