Why Are So Many Cars Catching Fire Lately?

Many recent car fires trace to a mix of aging vehicles, widely publicized recalls, extreme heat and weather, and a handful of dramatic battery incidents—while overall, internal-combustion vehicles still account for the vast majority of fires. In short: perception has spiked because of high-profile cases and social media, but the main drivers are old-fashioned—fuel and oil leaks, electrical shorts, and deferred maintenance—now compounded by hotter summers, longer recall lists, and a growing (though still relatively rare) set of high-energy battery events.

The reality check: are fires actually rising?

Fire departments in many countries continue to handle a large, steady baseline of highway vehicle fires each year, overwhelmingly involving gasoline and diesel cars. Long-term, rates have fallen since the 1980s thanks to better engineering and regulations, but in recent years they’ve leveled off. What’s changed “lately” is visibility: multiple large recalls affecting millions of vehicles, a string of heat waves, and viral videos of intense battery fires have created a sense of surge—even where overall figures haven’t dramatically shifted.

What’s driving the apparent spike?

Aging fleets and deferred maintenance

Vehicles are staying on the road longer than ever, and older cars are more susceptible to fuel and oil leaks, cracked hoses, worn insulation, and corroded wiring. Post-pandemic parts shortages and tighter household budgets mean some owners delay repairs, increasing the chance that a small leak or electrical issue becomes a fire.

High-impact recalls and design defects

Large recalls—some advising owners to park outside—have heightened awareness. Common issues include brake or ABS modules that can short, engine-compartment oil leaks contacting hot surfaces, and trailer-tow modules overheating. Battery-electric models have also seen targeted recalls over cell defects in specific packs. While automakers often fix these with physical repairs or software updates, the headlines can make fires feel more frequent than they are.

Extreme heat and climate stress

Hotter summers add thermal stress to engines, transmissions, and batteries. Heat worsens vapor lock, raises underhood temperatures, and can push already marginal components past their limits. On the other end, winter road salt and flooding corrode connectors and harnesses; saltwater exposure, in particular, can cause delayed shorts—including in high-voltage systems after storms.

EVs and hybrids: rare but dramatic incidents

Battery-electric vehicle fires are relatively uncommon compared with gasoline cars, but when they occur, lithium-ion thermal runaway can be intense and harder to extinguish. Hybrids, which combine high-voltage systems with fuel tanks, have shown higher incident rates in some datasets. Importantly, multiple independent analyses and fire authorities have found EVs are not inherently more likely to catch fire than conventional cars; the challenge is severity and suppression when they do.

Aftermarket wiring and charging behavior

Poorly installed audio systems, remote starters, light bars, or trailer wiring can create non-fused circuits and shorts. For plug-in vehicles, damaged charge cables, overloaded household circuits, and improvised adapters increase risk. Even in gas cars, cheap battery terminals or jump-start mistakes can start an electrical fire.

Visibility via social media and clustered events

Dramatic videos of highway and parking-garage fires circulate widely, and clustered incidents—like a recall wave or a heat dome—create a sense of omnipresence. Shipping and storage fires, though rare, also attract outsized attention.

Are EVs “the problem”?

No. Most fires still involve gasoline and diesel vehicles, simply because they dominate the fleet and carry combustible liquids. EVs have different failure modes—thermal runaway from cell damage, manufacturing defects, or severe impact—and require specialized firefighting tactics. After saltwater flooding or a serious crash, EVs should be monitored and parked outdoors due to potential delayed ignition. As the EV share grows, expect more absolute EV incidents, but current evidence does not show EVs igniting more frequently on a per-vehicle basis; hybrids can be a higher-risk category due to their dual systems.

How drivers can reduce the risk

Drivers can meaningfully lower the odds of a vehicle fire by staying current on recalls, watching for warning signs, and treating wiring and charging equipment with care. The following checklist covers the most effective steps most owners can take.

• Check for recalls by VIN at your national safety agency (e.g., NHTSA’s website or the SaferCar app in the U.S.) and schedule repairs promptly.
• Heed advisories to park outside until recall work is completed, especially for electrical-module issues.
• Address fluid leaks immediately; oil or fuel contacting hot exhaust components is a leading fire cause.
• Investigate burning smells, smoke, fuses that repeatedly blow, or flickering lights—signs of shorts or failing alternators.
• Avoid cheap aftermarket electrical add-ons; if installing accessories, use proper fusing and professional wiring practices.
• For EVs/PHEVs, use undamaged, manufacturer-approved charging equipment on correctly rated circuits; avoid improvised adapters.
• After flood or saltwater exposure, do not start the vehicle; have it inspected and keep it parked outdoors, away from structures.
• Keep engine bays clean of debris and check for rodent damage to wiring, especially after storage.
• Carry an ABC-rated extinguisher only if you’re trained; otherwise prioritize evacuation and calling emergency services.

These steps can’t eliminate risk, but they substantially reduce common ignition sources and help catch problems early, when they’re cheaper and safer to fix.

If your vehicle catches fire: what to do

Act quickly and safely. Most serious injuries happen because occupants delay evacuation or open the hood, feeding oxygen to a growing fire. Follow the sequence below.

1. Signal, pull over safely, shift to park, and turn off the ignition to cut fuel and electrical power.
2. Evacuate everyone immediately; move at least 100 feet (30 meters) upwind and uphill if possible.
3. Call emergency services and provide your location and any details (smoke from hood, undercarriage, or battery warning on hybrids/EVs).
4. Do not open the hood or trunk; this can cause a flash fire. Keep others away and warn approaching traffic.
5. If the fire is very small and you are trained, use an ABC extinguisher from a safe distance; stop if it grows or smoke becomes heavy.
6. For EVs/hybrids after a crash or water exposure, assume high-voltage components may be compromised; do not attempt suppression beyond evacuation and calling for help.

Once responders arrive, follow instructions and avoid reapproaching the vehicle; batteries and hidden materials can reignite even after flames are knocked down.

What automakers and regulators are changing

Manufacturers increasingly pair hardware fixes with software that monitors thermal and electrical anomalies, sometimes limiting charging or power until a repair is made. Regulators have expanded early-warning systems for defect trends and pushed for clearer park-outside advisories. Fire services are updating training and equipment for high-voltage incidents, and transport rules for storing and shipping damaged batteries have tightened. Over-the-air updates can mitigate risks faster, but they’re not a substitute for physical repairs when parts are at fault.

Summary

The sense that “so many cars are catching fire” reflects a convergence of old and new risks: aging gas cars with leaks and wiring faults, several high-profile recalls, hotter weather, and a small number of intense EV battery events that draw outsized attention. Most fires still stem from conventional causes, and EVs aren’t inherently more fire-prone—but when batteries fail, the incidents are more dramatic. Staying current on recalls, fixing leaks and electrical issues promptly, and using proper charging and wiring practices are the most effective ways to reduce your risk.

Which car brand catches fire the most?

Kia & Hyundai
Kias and Hyundais are among the most fire-prone vehicles. In 2019, they settled for $760 million over non-crash-related fires.

What cars are being recalled for catching fire?

In November of 2023, NHTSA started auditing existing recalls of more than 6.3 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles at risk of fire due to faulty parts in their antilock braking systems, according to Consumer Reports. The vehicle’s anti-lock brake system could leak brake fluid internally and cause electrical issues.

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). 

Why are there so many car fires now?

Cars are catching fire due to fuel and fluid leaks from damaged or deteriorating parts, malfunctioning electrical systems causing sparks, and overheating from engine or exhaust issues, with accidents and poor maintenance exacerbating these risks. Defective fuel tanks or lines are a common cause, while faulty wiring and degraded batteries can create ignition sources, and clogged catalytic converters or engine failures lead to dangerous heat build-up. 
Fuel & Fluid Leaks 

• Fuel system issues: Opens in new tabLeaks from fuel tanks, hoses, or lines are a primary cause, as leaked gasoline or diesel can easily ignite on contact with a hot surface or spark. 
• Engine oil leaks: Opens in new tabLeaking engine oil can accumulate on engine parts and, with high heat, can start a fire. 
• Other fluids: Opens in new tabCoolant, brake fluid, and other flammable fluids leaking from damaged reservoirs or lines can also contribute to fires under the right conditions. 

Electrical System Failures 

• Short circuits: Damaged or frayed wiring, loose connections, and faulty components like fuses can short-circuit, creating sparks that ignite flammable materials. 
• Malfunctioning batteries: Improperly designed or poorly maintained batteries can corrode, and the resulting corrosion can be flammable. 
• Improperly installed accessories: Aftermarket installations or modifications to a vehicle’s electrical system can introduce faults and increase fire risk. 

Overheating 

• Engine and exhaust systems: Engines, exhaust systems, and catalytic converters can overheat due to mechanical issues, lack of maintenance, or excessive stress. 
• Lack of cooling: A faulty engine cooling system or insufficient engine oil can cause overheating, which increases the risk of fire. 

Other Factors

• Vehicle accidents: Collisions can damage fuel lines and electrical systems, leading to leaks and sparks that trigger fires. 
• Poor maintenance: A lack of regular maintenance can allow components to deteriorate and lead to leaks or electrical failures that cause fires. 
• Design flaws: Some vehicles may have inherent design flaws, like fuel system components placed too close to hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of fire. 
• Rodents and debris: Small animals can build nests in engine compartments, or road debris can accumulate around hot catalytic converters, creating kindling that can ignite.