Which cars catch on fire the most?

Across powertrains, conventional hybrids have the highest fire rates per vehicle, gasoline cars are next, and battery-electric vehicles show the lowest rates; there is no single global “most fire-prone” model, but in the U.S. large clusters of fire-related recalls and complaints have involved certain Hyundai and Kia gasoline models, while a handful of EV and plug‑in hybrid lines (for example, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Ford Kuga/Escape PHEV, Chrysler Pacifica PHEV) experienced notable battery-related recalls that have since been mitigated with repairs. The broader picture is nuanced: fire likelihood depends on design, defects, maintenance, and use, and comparisons are most reliable when normalized by fleet size and exposure.

What the data shows about vehicle fire risk

Vehicle fire statistics come from fire services, insurance loss data, and safety regulators. While there is no single, globally harmonized dataset ranking individual models by fire incidence, several credible sources broadly agree on relative risk by powertrain type.

Best-available comparisons by powertrain

Analyses that normalize for how many vehicles are on the road and how far they drive consistently find hybrids at the top, gasoline/diesel next, and battery-electrics lowest. One widely cited U.S. analysis (2022) that combined national fire counts and registered vehicle populations estimated orders of magnitude as follows.

• Conventional hybrids: the highest estimated fire rate per 100,000 vehicles.
• Gasoline/diesel vehicles: a substantially lower rate than hybrids but far above battery-electrics.
• Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs): the lowest estimated rate per 100,000 vehicles.

The methodology behind such summaries has been debated, but the broader pattern aligns with multiple national datasets and insurance analyses: EVs are not igniting more often than gasoline cars; hybrids add complexity (engine plus high-voltage systems) that can increase failure points. The U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has long noted that most highway vehicle fires involve older gasoline vehicles, and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) has reported lower fire claim frequencies for EVs compared with their gasoline counterparts. Nordic fire agencies and insurers have likewise reported lower normalized fire rates for BEVs than for ICE cars, with some plug-in hybrids showing higher-than-BEV rates.

Makes and models with elevated fire history

Rather than a single model that “catches fire the most,” patterns tend to appear as clusters tied to specific defects that trigger large recalls. Below is a non-exhaustive list of model families that, as of 2024, have been subject to prominent, fire-related investigations or recalls.

• Hyundai and Kia (multiple gasoline models, 2010s–2023): Repeated U.S. recalls over engine defects (e.g., bearing wear in Theta II engines) and ABS/HECU modules that could short and lead to under-hood fires, sometimes even when parked. A major 2023 action covered roughly 3.3 million vehicles across nameplates such as Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson and Kia Optima/K5, Sorento, Sportage, among others.
• Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV (2017–2022): A global recall addressed rare manufacturing defects in LG battery cells that could cause thermal events; remedies included software updates and full battery pack replacements. Incidents were high profile but small relative to the fleet.
• Hyundai Kona Electric (2019–2021 globally): Battery defects linked to LG cells prompted recalls and pack replacements following a series of fires, many in parked vehicles.
• Ford Kuga/Escape Plug-in Hybrid (2020): Early-build PHEVs were recalled and subject to a stop-sale after battery-related fires; Ford implemented pack repairs and replacements.
• Chrysler Pacifica Plug‑in Hybrid (2017–2023): Recalls addressed potential fires while parked; owners were advised to park outside pending repairs. Remedies included software changes and component replacements.
• BMW plug‑in hybrids (various 2020–2021 models): Recalls to address potential battery pack contamination that could lead to thermal events under certain conditions.
• Jaguar I‑PACE (2019–2023): Software and, in some cases, battery module replacements were implemented to reduce thermal event risk in vehicles using certain LG packs.

These cases illustrate how fire risk tends to concentrate around specific supplier defects or component designs rather than an inherent hazard of any brand. After recalls, the residual risk typically drops once remedies are applied.

Why hybrids often top the rate tables

Hybrids combine two complex systems—an internal combustion engine and a high‑voltage electrical drivetrain. That means more potential ignition sources: hot exhaust components and flammable liquids on one side; high‑energy battery packs, power electronics, and wiring on the other. The risk is still low in absolute terms, but it is statistically higher than for BEVs, which eliminate combustible fuel and many heat sources, and often incorporate robust battery monitoring and isolation.

How to check the fire risk of a specific car

If you want to know whether a particular model has an elevated fire risk, focus on recalls, investigations, and incident trends for that exact vehicle and model year. The following steps will help you get an evidence-based view.

1. Search your national safety regulator’s database (e.g., NHTSA in the U.S.) for recalls and investigations tied to fire, battery, fuel, or electrical issues.
2. Look up insurance bulletins or loss data (e.g., HLDI/IIHS) comparing your model or its platform-mates to similar vehicles.
3. Check owner communications: technical service bulletins (TSBs), manufacturer campaigns, and dealer notices about under‑hood electrical modules, fuel leaks, or battery pack updates.
4. Review reputable fire service reports or government publications summarizing vehicle fire statistics in your region.
5. Confirm that all recall remedies are completed on your car via its VIN; incomplete fixes are a major driver of residual risk.

Taken together, these sources provide a clearer picture than headline-grabbing anecdotes, and they allow you to act on documented risks with manufacturer-supported remedies.

Practical steps to reduce your risk

Although the absolute likelihood of a vehicle fire is low, good maintenance and charging habits can reduce it further. Consider the following actions.

• Complete all recall repairs promptly; use your VIN to verify status with your automaker or regulator.
• Maintain the engine bay: fix fluid leaks, replace frayed belts, and address warning lights (especially charging/12V system alerts) quickly.
• For hybrids/EVs, use manufacturer‑approved charging equipment and avoid damaged outlets or extension cords; ensure proper ventilation and circuit capacity.
• After a crash—especially one involving the underbody or battery—have the vehicle inspected per OEM guidance even if it appears drivable.
• Heed “park outside” advisories attached to recalls until repairs are completed.

These steps address the most common ignition pathways—electrical faults, fluid leaks, and post‑crash damage—regardless of powertrain type.

Methodology and caveats

There is no universal, model-by-model global ranking of vehicles that “catch fire the most.” Fire definitions vary (post‑crash vs. non‑crash, parked vs. driving), and exposure differs by fleet age, mileage, climate, and maintenance. Some popular comparisons rely on differing denominators (per registered vehicle vs. per mile driven) and mixed data sources. Still, across multiple countries and data types, the broad pattern persists: hybrids tend to show the highest normalized fire rates among modern powertrains; gasoline/diesel are next; BEVs are lowest, with spikes tied to specific, now‑mitigated battery defects.

Bottom line

No single model can be named “the one that catches fire the most” worldwide. By category, conventional hybrids show the highest fire rates, gasoline vehicles are in the middle, and battery‑electrics the lowest. In the U.S., Hyundai and Kia gasoline models have accounted for a large share of fire‑related recalls over the past decade, while a few EV/PHEV lines had high‑visibility battery recalls that were addressed with software and component replacements. Your best guide is recall history for the exact model and model year you own—and completing those fixes quickly.

Which cars are least likely to catch on fire?

Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicles Catch Fire Much Less Often Than Gas-Powered Vehicles. Electric vehicles are as safe as, or perhaps safer than, gas-powered vehicles.

What car is famous 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.

Which type of vehicle is more likely to experience a car fire?

It’s estimated that about one-third of fires in electric vehicles occur while the car is parked and unplugged. But hybrid cars seem to be the most likely to catch fire, with gasoline vehicles coming in second.

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).