Which Part of a Car Is Most Likely to Catch Fire?

The engine compartment—specifically the engine bay and the running gear/wheel area—is the part of a car most likely to catch fire, primarily due to electrical faults, fluid leaks, and heat from components like the exhaust and brakes. In most on-road vehicle fires, ignition begins under the hood or around the wheels, where combustible fluids, high-current wiring, and high temperatures converge. Below, we explain why these areas are so vulnerable, what warning signs to watch for, and how to prevent and respond to vehicle fires safely.

Where Vehicle Fires Most Often Begin

Across decades of fire incident data from transportation and fire safety agencies, the majority of highway vehicle fires originate in or near the engine compartment, followed by the running gear/wheel area. These regions concentrate ignition sources: hot engines and exhaust parts, high-amperage electrical systems, and flammable liquids under pressure (fuel, oil, power steering fluid).

Why the Engine Bay Is Especially Vulnerable

The engine bay contains the hottest components and most ignition sources packed tightly together. Heat shields, protective covers, and thermal management help, but age, wear, poor maintenance, or collision damage can introduce vulnerabilities that allow heat, electricity, and fuel to interact in dangerous ways.

Common Triggers and Risk Factors

Understanding the most frequent triggers of vehicle fires can help drivers prevent them. The items below reflect how heat, fuel, and electrical energy typically combine to start a fire.

• Electrical malfunctions: Chafed wiring, corroded connectors, short circuits, overloaded accessory circuits, or incorrect fuses in the engine bay or under-dash harnesses.
• Fluid leaks: Gasoline, diesel, engine oil, transmission fluid, or power steering fluid contacting hot engine or exhaust components (e.g., exhaust manifold, catalytic converter).
• Overheating components: Failed cooling systems causing engines to overheat; seized bearings; alternator failures; or catalytic converters running excessively hot.
• Brake and wheel issues: Dragging brakes, stuck calipers, overheated pads/rotors, failed wheel bearings, or underinflated tires generating excessive heat.
• Aftermarket modifications: Poorly installed audio systems, lighting, remote starters, or performance parts that stress wiring or remove heat shielding.
• Collision damage: Crushed wiring, ruptured fuel lines, or damaged batteries after a crash—fires may be immediate or delayed.
• Debris and contamination: Oil-soaked insulation, rodent nests, or leaves in the engine bay; catalytic converters igniting dry grass under the car.

Most fires result from a chain of small failures—an unnoticed leak, a worn wire, or a dragging brake—that escalate under heat and load. Targeting these triggers with regular inspection and timely repair dramatically reduces risk.

Other Areas That Can Ignite

While the engine bay and wheel areas see the most fires, other car zones can be involved, usually due to electrical faults or heat transfer.

• Dashboard/interior: Under-dash wiring harness faults, power seat circuits, or devices plugged into 12V/USB ports can overheat and ignite interior materials.
• Trunk/cargo: Battery relocation, amplifiers, or lithium-ion devices (e-bikes, scooters, power banks) can start compartment fires.
• Underbody/exhaust path: Catalytic converter surfaces can exceed 800°C (1470°F) and ignite oil drips or dry vegetation.

These areas are less common origins than the engine bay, but they underscore how added electrical loads and stored energy devices can shift risk throughout the vehicle.

Warning Signs Your Car Could Catch Fire

Early symptoms often precede a vehicle fire. Recognizing these signs lets you act before a small problem becomes dangerous.

• Sharp smell of gasoline, burning oil, or melting/burning plastic.
• Smoke wisps from wheel wells, grille, or under the hood—especially after stopping.
• Electrical anomalies: flickering lights, repeatedly blown fuses, hot-to-the-touch fuse box, or a burning odor inside the cabin.
• Overheating indicators: temperature gauge rising, steam, or frequent coolant loss.
• Brake issues: pedal fade, the car pulling to one side, or a hot brake smell after normal driving.
• Warning lights: battery/charging, engine, or hybrid/EV system alerts, especially after an impact or deep water exposure.

Treat these warnings seriously. Pull over safely, shut the vehicle off, and investigate only from a safe distance. If you see flames or heavy smoke, move away and call emergency services.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Routine maintenance and a few habits go a long way in preventing fires—particularly in the engine bay and wheel areas where most fires start.

• Fix fluid leaks promptly; keep the engine bay clean of oil and debris.
• Use the correct fuses and avoid overloading accessory circuits; secure wiring away from sharp edges and hot parts.
• Service brakes and wheel bearings; maintain proper tire pressure to reduce heat buildup.
• Address overheating immediately; don’t drive with a cooling system fault.
• Install aftermarket gear professionally; retain heat shields and splash shields.
• Check for and complete safety recalls; follow manufacturer service intervals.
• Don’t park over dry grass with a hot exhaust/catalytic converter.
• Store lithium-ion devices (e-bikes, scooters) outside the vehicle when possible; never charge them in a parked car.

These steps cut off the typical pathways to ignition—heat, fuel, and faulty wiring—right where the risk is highest.

What To Do If Your Car Catches Fire

A swift, calm response minimizes harm. The priorities are to stop safely, shut down energy sources, and get clear of smoke and flames.

1. Signal, pull over immediately to a safe spot, and stop the car.
2. Turn off the engine (or vehicle power) and set the parking brake.
3. Evacuate everyone right away; move at least 150 feet (50 meters) upwind.
4. Call emergency services; give your location and note any visible flames or smoke.
5. Do not open the hood—introducing oxygen can intensify the fire.
6. If the fire is very small and you have a proper extinguisher (Class B/C): stand back, aim at the base of the flames through the grille or wheel well, and keep an exit path.
7. Do not attempt to fight a fire involving the fuel system, heavy smoke, or a high-voltage battery; wait for firefighters.

Your safety and bystander safety come first; vehicles are replaceable. Even a small, “out” fire should be inspected professionally before the car is driven again.

Notes for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Most EV and hybrid fire risks are still concentrated around the same areas as conventional cars: the engine bay (for hybrids) and wheel/brake assemblies. High-voltage battery fires are uncommon, but they behave differently and require specialized response.

• Battery damage after crashes, deep potholes, or flooding can lead to delayed ignition hours or days later.
• Warning signs include hissing, popping, white/gray smoke, a sweet/solvent-like odor, or rapid battery drain and system alerts.
• If the battery may be damaged, park the vehicle outside away from buildings and call the dealer or roadside assistance.
• Do not attempt to access or cool the battery pack yourself; firefighters use large volumes of water and specific procedures.

While EV traction-battery fires get attention, current data suggests EVs are not more likely to catch fire than gasoline cars overall; hybrids tend to have the highest fire rates due to both high-voltage and gasoline systems. Still, treat any high-voltage alerts or post-impact warnings with urgency.

Bottom Line

The part of a car most likely to catch fire is the engine compartment, followed by the running gear and wheel areas, where heat, electricity, and flammable fluids meet. Vigilant maintenance, attention to warning signs, and safe responses to smoke or burning odors are your best defenses.

Summary

Most vehicle fires start under the hood or around the wheels because that’s where electrical loads, hot components, and combustible fluids are concentrated. Prevent problems by fixing leaks, maintaining brakes and cooling systems, keeping wiring correct and protected, and handling aftermarket or high-voltage systems carefully. If a fire starts or smoke appears, shut down, evacuate, and call for help—don’t open the hood or take risks with growing fires.

What’s the most common cause of a car fire?

The most common causes of car fires are fuel system leaks, where flammable liquids ignite from a spark or hot engine component, and electrical system failures, which can cause sparks from faulty wiring or components. Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to both of these issues, increasing the risk of a fire from damaged wires or leaking components. 
Causes of Car Fires

• Fuel System Leaks: Flammable liquids like gasoline can leak from damaged lines or components and contact a hot engine part or a spark, leading to ignition. 
• Electrical System Failures: Worn or damaged wiring, short circuits, or faulty components can create sparks or heat, igniting nearby materials. 
• Poor Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can result in damaged electrical wires, leaky fuel lines, or engines that overheat, all of which are fire hazards. 
• Engine Overheating: Overheating can cause fluids to spill and come into contact with hot engine components or wires. 
• Car Accidents: A collision can cause damage to the fuel tank, fuel lines, or electrical systems, leading to leaks, sparks, and potential ignition of flammable liquids. 
• Catalytic Converter Issues: A damaged or improperly functioning catalytic converter can become extremely hot and pose a fire risk if it contacts foreign objects. 

Prevention

• Perform Regular Maintenance: Have your car inspected and serviced regularly to catch potential problems with the fuel and electrical systems. 
• Be Vigilant for Leaks: If you smell gasoline or see fluid leaks under your car, get it checked and fixed immediately. 
• Address Electrical Issues: Don’t ignore warning signs of electrical problems, such as flickering lights or other malfunctions. 

Where do vehicle fires generally start?

A spark from the crash could cause these fluids to catch fire. This includes brake fluid, fuel, engine oil, transmission fluid, and other fluids. Most fluid-related fires start under the hood, although some, such as those related to fuel and brake fluid, may occur at any point in the vehicle.

How likely is it for a car to catch on 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). 

Where do most fires start in a car?

The most common item to initially ignite is insulation around the electrical wiring, or cables. Unsurprisingly, the second leading category of ‘items first ignited’ is liquids, piping, and filters, which include fuel in various locations throughout the vehicle.