Which car catches fire the most?

There isn’t a single car model that consistently “catches fire the most.” Most vehicle fires involve older gasoline vehicles, not any one make or model, and—on a rate basis—gasoline cars catch fire far more often than battery‑electric cars. In recent U.S. years, Hyundai and Kia have led fire‑related recalls and non‑crash fire complaints across multiple models and model years, while notable one‑off campaigns have affected other brands (for example, the Chevrolet Bolt EV battery recall). This article explains why there’s no simple winner, what credible data shows, and how to gauge your own risk.

Why there is no single “most fire‑prone” car

Vehicle fires are a statistical outcome of many factors: age, maintenance, mileage, crash involvement, manufacturing defects later remedied by recall, aftermarket modifications, and even arson. Fire agencies and safety regulators track “highway vehicle fires” across the fleet, not just by model, because the vast majority arise from mechanical or electrical failures in older internal‑combustion vehicles. As a result, any snapshot naming one model tends to reflect temporary recall waves or complaint clusters—not an enduring truth about that car.

What the numbers say about propulsion type

Across recent analyses by national fire agencies and insurers in the U.S. and Europe, one finding is consistent: per registered vehicle or per mile traveled, gasoline and diesel cars account for the overwhelming majority of vehicle fires, while battery‑electric cars experience far fewer fires. Hybrids can show elevated risk in some datasets because they combine high‑voltage components with an internal‑combustion engine. Here’s how those patterns show up in public data and official reports:

• United States: NFPA and U.S. fire incident data attribute most highway vehicle fires to mechanical failures (like fluid leaks onto hot surfaces) and electrical failures in gasoline vehicles; EV fires are a small slice of the total fleet fires.
• Europe (Nordic countries and the U.K.): Government fire statistics and insurer analyses consistently find lower fire rates for battery‑electric cars than for petrol/diesel vehicles when normalized per registered vehicle; hybrids vary by model and campaign history.
• Public perception vs. incidence: EV fires attract outsized media attention because lithium‑ion fires are harder to extinguish and can reignite, but their occurrence is rarer than fires in conventional cars in comparable exposure terms.

Taken together, the comparative risk is clearest by propulsion: ICE vehicles are most likely to catch fire, hybrids can be higher than average during specific defect campaigns, and EVs are generally lowest on a per‑vehicle basis—though any individual model can temporarily spike if a defect is identified.

Brands and models most affected by fire‑related recalls lately

While no single model dominates all fires, some manufacturers have had large fire‑related recall campaigns in recent years. These campaigns aim to fix specific defects and can include “park‑outside” advisories until repairs are made.

• Hyundai and Kia (multiple models, many years): Repeated recalls for engine‑compartment fires and electrical short risks—ranging from engine defects to ABS/brake control module leaks and tow‑hitch wiring harness issues. In 2023, they announced one of the largest U.S. “park‑outside” fire‑risk recalls in years, covering millions of vehicles across model lines such as Sonata/Optima, Santa Fe/Sorento/Sportage, and others.
• General Motors Chevrolet Bolt EV (2017–2022): Comprehensive battery recall due to rare manufacturing defects in LG battery cells that could lead to thermal runaway; GM replaced battery modules and advised charging/parking precautions until remedies were complete.
• Ford (selected Escape, Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Lincoln Corsair model years): Recalls addressing potential engine failures and fluid leaks that could cause under‑hood fires; some campaigns included instructions to park outside and visit dealers promptly for software and hardware fixes.
• BMW (various models, past decade): Large recalls tied to potential fire risks from EGR coolers or PCV heaters; some advisories warned of fires while driving or shortly after shutdown without prompt repair.
• Chrysler/Jeep plug‑in hybrids: Recalls for Wrangler 4xe and Pacifica Hybrid battery‑related fire risks in certain VIN ranges, with “park outside/stop charging” guidance pending repairs or battery pack replacements.

These examples show how “which car” changes over time as defects are found and fixed. A brand or model can dominate headlines during a major campaign without being the most fire‑prone over the long run.

What actually causes most vehicle fires

Beyond recalls, the leading causes identified by fire investigators are routine and often age‑related. Understanding them helps explain why older gasoline cars dominate fire statistics.

• Fluid leaks (oil, fuel, power steering, or coolant) contacting hot exhaust or engine components.
• Electrical shorts, corroded connectors, or aftermarket wiring/fuse changes that bypass protections.
• Overheating components (alternators, catalytic converters clogged by misfires, brake drag).
• Crash‑related fires from ruptured lines or battery damage after collisions.
• Poor maintenance: ignored warning lights, deferred repairs, degraded hoses, and worn wiring insulation.
• For high‑voltage vehicles: thermal runaway from damaged cells or manufacturing defects—rare, but serious—typically managed via recalls and battery monitoring updates.

In short, age, upkeep, and operating conditions are stronger predictors of fire risk than make or model alone.

How to check your risk—and reduce it

Your best defense is to verify your vehicle’s recall status and address known fire risks quickly, then keep up with maintenance and safe operating practices.

• Run your VIN through your national safety agency’s recall tool (e.g., NHTSA in the U.S.) and your automaker’s website; schedule any open fire‑risk recall immediately.
• Heed “park outside/stop‑drive/stop‑charge” advisories until repairs are completed.
• Fix any fluid leaks, burning smells, or electrical symptoms (fuse blows, dimming lights, smoke) without delay.
• Avoid non‑OEM electrical add‑ons or improper fuse upgrades; use qualified installers for accessories and remote starters.
• For EVs and PHEVs: keep battery software up to date, use recommended charging equipment, and avoid charging with damaged cables or in standing water.
• After any crash—even minor—have the fuel system or high‑voltage system inspected as recommended by the manufacturer.
• If you see smoke or smell burning while driving, pull over safely, shut down, move away, and call emergency services; only use a fire extinguisher on very small, contained fires if you are trained and it’s safe.

These steps address the dominant real‑world causes of fires and the specific, model‑targeted risks identified through recalls.

Bottom line

There is no single car that “catches fire the most.” Most fires occur in older gasoline vehicles because of mechanical or electrical failures, and—when normalized—EVs have lower fire incidence than petrol/diesel cars. In the U.S., Hyundai and Kia have led recent fire‑related recalls and non‑crash fire complaints across multiple models, while high‑profile but narrower campaigns have affected others (such as the Chevy Bolt EV). Your best guide is your own VIN: check for recalls, follow advisories, and keep up with maintenance.

Summary

No single model holds a permanent top spot for fires. Gasoline cars account for most fires; EVs show the lowest rates per vehicle in multiple national datasets; hybrids can be elevated during specific defect campaigns. Recent years have seen large fire‑risk recalls across many Hyundai and Kia models, plus notable campaigns involving Ford, BMW, and specific EV/PHEV lines like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Check your VIN for recalls and address maintenance issues promptly to minimize risk.

Do gas or electric cars catch fire more?

Data from the National Transportation Safety Board showed that EVs were involved in approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 sold. Comparatively, approximately 1,530 gasoline-powered vehicles and 3,475 hybrid vehicles were involved in fires for every 100,000 sold.

What car was notorious for catching fire?

The Pinto, a subcompact car made by Ford Motor Company, became infamous in the 1970s for bursting into flames if its gas tank was ruptured in a collision. The lawsuits brought by injured people and their survivors uncovered how the company rushed the Pinto through production and onto the market.

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). 

What car brand has the most fires?

Since 2010 more than 3,100 Hyundai and Kia vehicles have caught fire, injuring 103 people and killing one, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency investigating both automakers.