Which Model of Car Is Most Likely to Catch Fire in an Accident?

Most people who are in the market to buy a new car have specific features of the car that are important to them. Obviously, sticker price is an important factor for every new car buyer. But once new car-buyers establish an acceptable price range, there are still a variety of features that most people consider when deciding which car to buy. 

According to a 2025 study by AutoPacific—an automotive marketing research and consulting group—for the last three years running (2023 to 2025), the single most important feature among potential car buyers has been—you guessed it—the front-seat wireless phone charger. 

This is just a sign of the times. And it is a good sign. After all, there was a time in the early 1970s when the Ford Motor Company produced the Ford “Pinto,” and the biggest safety concern if you bought the Pinto was whether you were likely to die in a fiery car crash. Ford designed the Pinto to compete with more cost-effective, foreign compact sedans, like the Volkswagon “Beetle.” The problem was, the cost-saving design of the fuel system on the Ford Pinto turned the vehicle into an exploding fireball upon a rear-end collision, even at very low speeds.

Nowadays, car buyers don’t usually concern themselves with exploding gas tanks. In the modern automotive market, consumers are more concerned about the convenience of charging their cell phones than they are about the danger of dying in a car fire. But car fires still happen. And certain vehicle models are more likely to catch fire in an accident than others. 

This article discusses which car models are most likely to burst into flames in an accident and the risk you still face of experiencing a car fire. 

What Features Do Most People Consider When Buying a New Car?

There are a variety of factors that people consider when purchasing a new car. Younger drivers may be more interested in electric vehicles (“EVs”), while older drivers may remain loyal to a specific manufacturer, make, or model. Some people prefer a certain style of vehicle, while others just want a car in their favorite color. Drivers who spend a lot of time in their car may focus on comfort, while other drivers are willing to sacrifice luxury for better fuel efficiency. To each his own.

There are certain car features, however, that most people tend to agree are important considerations. Here are just a few of the common features that most people consider when buying a new car:    

• Environmental features. For many environmentally-conscious car-buyers, eco features in cars are becoming even more important than sticker price. A primary eco consideration is whether to go with an EV that offers an electric or hybrid powertrain or a traditional internal combustion engine (“ICE”) vehicle, which runs on fossil fuels, like gasoline or diesel.

Some of the more popular eco features offered in new vehicles include:

• Improved exhaust systems that reduce toxic tailpipe emissions;

• More efficient ignition systems that idle when the vehicle is stopped, to improve fuel efficiency;

• Reconfigured engines that increase power outputs using less fuel;

• Variable driving modes that optimize transmission function and air quality;

• Lighter source material using aluminum, recyclable plastics, composites, or other natural materials to reduce the weight of the vehicle and improve fuel economy;

• More aerodynamic designs to reduce wind resistance and minimize fuel consumption; and

• Improved information systems displaying real-time data, like fuel consumption and tire pressure, to increase fuel efficiency and improve safety.

• Technological features.  In the 1970s, the pressing issue for car manufacturers was where to locate the gas tank so it didn’t explode upon impact. In 2025, the goal is to equip cars with the newest technologies to maximize comfort, convenience, and stress-free driving. 

Some of the technologies once unheard of that are now becoming standard features in new vehicles include: 

• Driver assistance, to reduce fatigue and operator errors;

• Automated intersection and traffic warnings to increase safety;

• Hands-free controls to reduce distractions;

• Lane-change signals to warn of adjacent vehicles;

• Lane stability warnings to signal possible operator drowsiness;

• Increased data delivery on dashboard panels, touchscreen computers, and even holographic windshields;

• Electric heating, cooling, massaging, and reclining seats throughout the vehicle; 

• Emergency stop computer software to ensure vehicle responsiveness;

• Hands-free access to trunks, cargo, and rear gates;

• Integrated wireless Smartphone connectivity;

• Multi-zoned climate controls; 

• Ambient internal lighting; and

• Customized upholstery.     

While most new features are designed to provide comfortable, stress-free driving, one has to wonder when so many whistles and bells actually may become a distraction and increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

• Safety Features. Although comfort and convenience are important, safety remains a leading factor that most prospective car buyers consider before purchasing a new vehicle. 

According to a survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 86% of respondents reported that safety is a “very important” factor when shopping for a new vehicle. In a survey conducted by Ghost Autonomy, 80% of respondents stated that “safety systems played a pivotal role in their choice of vehicle.” Likewise, in a study by Statista Consumer Insights, 53% of prospective car buyers who responded rated safety as “especially important,” ranking it as the top priority in their decision-making, along with fuel efficiency.

Here are some common features offered in new cars that address common safety concerns when driving:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including automatic reverse emergency braking;

• Lane stability assistance;

• Blind spot indicators; 

• Collision avoidance systems; and

• Impact safety devices.

No matter how much technology you have in the car, however, you are never completely safe. Accidents always happen. When they do, car fires are always a possibility. And research suggests that your chances of being in a car fire may be increased based on the kind of car you drive.   

How Common Are Car Fires?

In the United States, there are approximately 1.4 million fires every year. Of these total fires, approximately 16% (215,000) are vehicle fires. There are more deaths every year caused by vehicle fires than caused by nonresidential structure fires and residential apartment fires. Only fires in one- or two-family residential homes result in more deaths than vehicle fires in any given year.

In the 1980s, when fire prevention technology in motor vehicles was in its infancy, there were more than 450,000 car fires every year in the United States. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, as car manufacturers began to address the ongoing risk of burn injuries resulting from car fires, cars became safer and the number of car fires began to decline. ConsumerShield attributes this to “better fuel system designs, enhanced fire detection, and automatic shut-offs—which reduce fire ignition risk post-crash.”  

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2005 and 2022, the number of vehicle fires decreased by 69%, from 292,000 vehicle fires in 2005 to 201,000 vehicle fires in 2022. Although the number of vehicle fires between 2010 and 2022 remained fairly consistent, the number of civilian deaths associated with those fires increased substantially, with an increase in car-fire fatalities every year since 2015.

Based on all vehicle fires between 2018 and 2022 in the United States, there were an average of:

• 643 civilian deaths (17% of all fire-incident deaths);

• 1,532 civilian injuries (10% of all fire-incident civilian injuries); and

• $2.8 billion in property damage (15% of all fire-incident property damages).

These annual averages included:

• 119,681 automobile or passenger vehicle fires, which caused:

• 61% of all highway vehicle fires;
• 380 civilian deaths;
• 783 civilian injuries; and 
• $765 million in property damage;

• 15,462 large truck fires, which caused:

• 8% of all highway vehicle fires;
• 46 civilian deaths;
• 102 civilian injuries; and
• $416 million in property damage; and

• 1,075 bus fires, which caused:

• 1 percent of all highway vehicle fires;
• 2 civilian deaths;
• 8 civilian injuries; and 
• $74 million in property damage

Are Car Fires More Common in Electric Vehicles (EVs)?  

EV fires are less likely than traditional ICE or hybrid vehicle fires: 

• EVs average 25 fires for every 100,000 vehicles sold;

• ICE vehicles average 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold; and

• Hybrid vehicles average 3,475 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold.

However, EVs represent a rapidly growing market, with more than 40 million EVs used world-wide as of 2023 (2.4 million in the United States) and over 14 million new EVs registered every year. These increasing numbers correlate with an increasing number of residential fires in the United States due to the growing number of EV-owners who improperly install or maintain their charging equipment at home.  

Compared to traditional ICE vehicles, EVs also present greater complications associated with fires. For example:

• EVs present a higher risk of battery issues (185,000 EVs are recalled every year for faulty batteries);

• EVs present a greater risk of charging errors (up to 30% of EV battery fires occur while the batteries are charging);

• EV fires often occur while the vehicles charge overnight and are left unattended;

• EV fires burn at hotter temperatures and for longer durations;

• EV fires cannot be extinguished using traditional fire-extinguishing methods;

• EV fires have a greater chance of reignition; and 

• EV fire emissions are more toxic (hydrogen fluoride, other toxic gases).

What Are the Common Causes of Car Fires?

The most common causes of car fires are mechanical failures and engine or wheel area fires. These fires are more likely to occur in older vehicles that have worn parts or that are not properly maintained. Approximately 77% of vehicle fires involve cars that are at least ten years old.

EV fires often occur when the battery is damaged in an accident or short circuits and causes “thermal runaway,” which is a chemical reaction that causes an increasing process of overheating and eventual explosion or fire. Likewise, ICE vehicle fires can be caused by overheating or by leaking fuel lines or from impact during an accident.  

Common causes of any type of vehicle fire include:

• Car accidents.  The impact during a car crash can damage a car’s fuel tank, electrical components, or fluid lines, which can be ignited by a spark from metal. In EVs, the impact from an accident can rupture a battery and ignite a chemical fire.

• Equipment failure.  This may include damaged electrical wires, blown fuses, batteries that short circuit, faulty cooling systems, or worn, eroded, frayed, loose, or corroded parts that generate sufficient heat to ignite a fire.

• Heat sources.  Hot engine parts can ignite insulation surrounding electrical wires or other engine components.

• Flammable liquids.  Flammable liquids, like gasoline, engine oil, brake fluid, or transmission fluid, can leak after impact in an accident or simply because of eroded hose lines. As a result, they can ignite from a metal spark or by coming into contact with hot surfaces on the engine or exhaust system.

• Improper maintenance.  Failure to properly or routinely maintain or service your vehicle can result in worn out or damaged parts that lead to a fire.

• System design flaws.  If engine parts are designed, manufactured, or installed improperly, any of the vehicle’s operating systems can malfunction and cause a fire.

• External factors.  Environmental factors, such as the build-up of leaves or debris, or rodents and birds that chew on wires or build nests in the engine area, can create flammable sources that ignite when overheated. 

Why Are Car Fires So Dangerous?

When a car fire occurs while you are operating the vehicle, it can engulf the entire vehicle extremely quickly, leaving you no time to be able to stop safely and exit the vehicle.

If there is an explosion from the impact of an accident, burn injuries or death can result immediately. 

Even a minor collision can result in damaged engine parts or a ruptured fuel line that quickly ignites and consumes the entire vehicle, allowing you no time to exit the vehicle before suffering significant or fatal burn injuries.

When a car fire occurs during an accident, there may be many reasons why you are unable to exit the vehicle. For example:

• You may be rendered unconscious from a head injury;

• You may be disabled by a spinal or neck injury or broken bones;

• The vehicle may be structurally damaged such that you cannot open the doors to escape; or

• You may be pinned inside the cab by bent or broken metal.

Even if you are able to exit a burning vehicle, you may accidentally touch heated components of the car while trying to escape and suffer significant burns of varying degrees. 

What Type of Burn Injuries Can Result from a Car Fire?

Exposure to a car fire can result in various types of burns.

• Thermal burns.  Thermal burns are burns caused by direct contact with flames or hot objects and surfaces, which can scald your skin, muscles, and tissue.

• Chemical burns.  Chemical burns can result from exposure to hot or toxic fluids, such as gasoline, engine coolant, battery acid, or other hazardous liquids or materials.

• Respiratory or inhalation burns.  Damage to the mouth, lungs, and airway structure can result from breathing in smoke or toxic fumes created by a car fire.

• Combustion burns.  The sudden combustion of ignited fuel or deployed airbags can cause acute and painful burns on exposed skin.

Any of these types of burns can be severe and can result in:

• Significant pain and suffering;

• Long-term disability;

• Permanent disfigurement or scarring;

• Loss of bodily function or mobility;

• Extensive medical treatment (surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy);

• Nerve damage;

• Emotional or psychological damage; and 

• Financial stress (medical bills, loss of income).

How Common Are Burn Injuries from Car Fires?

Because of advances in automotive safety and fire prevention over the past fifty years, car fires are not nearly as common as they used to be. However, they do occur. And when they do, burn injuries from a car fire can be devastating and life-altering.  

According to data provided by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), in 2023, car fires accounted for 22.7% of all fire-related fatalities and 8.8% of all fire-related injuries in the United States.

In the same year, car fires in Kansas accounted for 20.7% of all fire-related fatalities and 4.7% of all fire-related injuries in Kansas. Kansas fell below the national average in both car-fire fatalities and injuries.

Car fires in Missouri in 2023 accounted for 23.3% of all fire-related fatalities and 3.9% of all fire related injuries in the state. Missouri had a higher percentage of car-fire fatalities than the national average but a lower percentage of car-fire injuries. 

What Type of Vehicles Are Prone to Catching Fire in an Accident?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes consumer alert safety reports for all manufacturer recalls of vehicles that pose an increased risk of fire. Here is a sampling of some of the active high-priority recalls of vehicles that currently pose a high risk of fire as of September 2025. 

Active High-Priority Vehicle Recalls  Due to Fire Risk as of September 2025
Manufacturer	Vehicle	# of Vehicles Recalled	Description of Fire Risk
Hyundai	2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade SUV	245,030	Tow Hitch Recall: Environmental contaminants left on the tow hitch printed circuit board (PCB) during manufacturing posed a risk of an electrical short circuit, resulting in fire while driving or while the vehicle was parked with the ignition off.
Kia	2020-2022 Kia Telluride	36,417	Tow Hitch Recall: Foreign material and moisture contamination on the tow hitch printed circuit board (PCB) which posed a risk of fire while driving or while the vehicle was parked with the ignition off.
Kia	2020-2024 Kia Telluride	462,869	Seat Motor Recall: An external impact to the front power seat side cover or seat slide knob may cause switch back cover to dislodge and misalign with motor control, causing seat motor to operate continuously and overheat, thereby increasing the risk of a fire while driving or while parked.
Hyundai	2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe 2014-2015 Equus  2010-2012 Veracruz  2010-2013 Tucson 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell 2013 Santa Fe Sport	1,649,478	The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Recall: ABS module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Ford	2021-2024 Bronco Sport  2020–2022 Escape	694,271	Fuel Injector Recall: Fuel injector can crack and leak fuel at a high rate into the engine bay cylinder head, which may ignite under the hood on the hot surface of the exhaust/turbo system
Kia	2010-2019 Borrego 2014-2016 Cadenza 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage 2015-2018 K900 2011-2015 Optima 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio,  2011-2014 Sorento 2010-2011 Rondo	1,730,192	Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) Recall:  HECU may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Ford / Lincoln	2021-2022 Corsair 2020-2022 Escape 2022- 2023 Maverick  Equipped With 2.5L HEV/PHEV Engine	100,689	Engine/Battery Recall: Engine failures or high-voltage battery cell defects could lead to fuel/oil release or internal battery short circuits and under-hood fires.
Porsche	Taycan (EV)	27,527	High-Voltage Battery Cell Recall: Individual battery cell modules could short internally and cause thermal/runaway battery fires.
Chrysler	2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler PHEV 2020-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee	118,230  35,802	High-Voltage Battery Cell Recall: Some vehicles were built with a battery pack which contains cells that are susceptible to separator damage. Separator damage, combined with other complex interactions within the cells, may lead to a vehicle fire.
General Motors	2023-2025 Chevrolet Corvette 2023-2025 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe	23,656	Radiator/Fan Recall: Left-side radiator/fan combination; excess fuel may spill into the vehicle fuel-filler pocket during refueling and leak onto an ignition source.

What Are the Signs of a Car Fire?

There are certain warning signs that your car may be at risk of catching fire. Signs of an imminent car fire may include:

• Acrid or “fishy” smell of burning plastic or rubber;

• Smoke coming from under the hood;

• Any leaking of liquids;

• Sudden drop in fluid pressure; 

• Loose fuses or engine parts;

• Sudden increase of engine temperature

• Sparks or flames.

If you sense any of these changes after an accident or while you are driving, do not continue driving. Instead, follow these steps as quickly and as safely as you can:

• As soon as it is safe to do so, pull the car over and turn off the engine;

• Exit the car immediately, making sure all children and passengers are safely away from the vehicle;

• Do not try to determine where the fire is or how it started;

• Call 911 for assistance;

• If the car does catch fire, do not try to extinguish the fire; move safely away from the car;

• Wait for assistance and obtain any necessary medical assistance if you are injured;

• When the proper authorities extinguish the fire and everyone is safe, call an experienced personal injury attorney to obtain appropriate legal advice and to protect your rights.

If You Experience a Car Fire, Call the Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC   

If you have been injured in a car accident and experienced a car fire, or if your car sudden caught fire while you were driving, you may be entitled to compensation for any physical or financial damages you may have suffered as a result. The experienced car accident and car fire attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, can help you protect your legal rights and interests so that you receive all the compensation you deserve.

Burn injuries from a car fire can be extremely painful and life-altering. But even if you are fortunate enough to have escaped your car fire uninjured, your vehicle was surely damaged by the fire, and you should receive full compensation for your property loss. The physical and financial consequences of a vehicle fire can be significant.

Even if you are just considering buying a new car, you should be aware of how car fires occur and what types of vehicles are prone to catching on fire, even if the engine is not running. The car accident lawyers at Foster Wallace are knowledgeable and experience with the car fires and can answer any questions you have about what safety features are available in a new car to protect you from the devastating effects of a vehicle fire.

Call Foster Wallace, LLC, today at 816-439-8665 for a free consultation. We will assist you if you have been injured in a car fire and can answer all of your questions about filing a car fire claim or just purchasing a new vehicle and preventing a car fire in the future.

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