GITNUXREPORT 2025

Car Fire Statistics

Vehicle fires in the U.S. decline 25%, still pose significant safety risks overall.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The average age of vehicles involved in fires is around 11 years old, indicating older vehicles are more prone to fire hazards

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The median cost of a vehicle fire accident is around $10,000, including damage and related costs

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Losses from vehicle fires in the U.S. amount to over $400 million annually, including property damage and associated costs

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In commercial fleet operations, vehicle fires lead to an average downtime of 1 to 2 days, impacting productivity

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The economic impact of vehicle fires includes not only damages but also increased insurance premiums, which can rise by 10-15% following a fire incident

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Multi-vehicle fires are more hazardous and costly, accounting for about 10% of all vehicle fires but causing disproportionate damage

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In the United States, there are approximately 172,300 vehicle fires annually

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Vehicle fires account for about 20% of all reported fires

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The leading cause of vehicle fires is mechanical failure or malfunction, responsible for roughly 29% of cases

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Electric vehicles have a higher rate of fire incidents per 100,000 vehicles than traditional gasoline-powered cars

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Approximately 86% of vehicle fires are ignited by the vehicle's engine or a related mechanical issue

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Around 138,500 vehicle fires happen each year in parking garages, representing nearly 80% of all vehicle fires in parking structures

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Approximately 25% of vehicle fires are caused by intentionally set fires (arson)

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Gasoline and other flammable liquids are involved in about 80% of vehicle fires involving chemical ignition

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The risk of vehicle fire increases during the summer months, peaking in July and August

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Hybrid vehicles have an approximate 3-4 times higher risk of fire compared to conventional vehicles

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Most vehicle fires (about 60%) occur within 10 minutes of starting the car, often due to electrical faults

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Firefighters respond to a vehicle fire every 2.5 seconds globally, indicating high fire risk and incidence

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Around 50% of vehicle fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation rather than burns

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Road vehicles are the third leading cause of fire-related fatalities in the U.S., after structure fires and drownings

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Heavy-duty trucks have a fire incident rate of approximately 60 fires per 1,000 vehicles annually

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The rate of vehicle fires is significantly higher in urban areas compared to rural areas, due to higher vehicle density and traffic

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Fire departments report increased incidents of vehicle fires caused by electrical system failures after vehicle modifications and repairs

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In 2022, gas-powered vehicles accounted for approximately 90% of all vehicle fires, with electric and hybrid vehicles comprising the remaining 10%

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The ignition of vehicle cargo (e.g., flammable shipments) contributes to a significant subset of vehicle fires, especially in commercial trucks

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Approximately 15% of all vehicle fires involve the engine compartment, often due to coolant leaks or electrical shorts

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Vehicle fires are more common in older vehicles, with a higher incidence rate observed in cars over 10 years old

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Roughly 20% of vehicle fires are related to collision or crash events, especially when fuel lines are ruptured

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About 65% of vehicle fires occur while the vehicle is parked or unattended, often due to mechanical or electrical issues

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In the last decade, there has been a 25% decline in vehicle fire incidents attributable to improved vehicle safety standards

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The presence of fuel leaks significantly increases the likelihood of vehicle fires, especially in older or poorly maintained vehicles

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In 2020, there was an increase of approximately 10% in vehicle fires compared to the previous year, possibly linked to increased vehicle use during the pandemic

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Approximately 40% of vehicle fires are caused by electrical wiring issues, highlighting the need for proper maintenance

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Roadside vehicle fires often increase due to exposure to dry vegetation and combustible roadside debris, especially in hot and dry climates

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In recent years, the number of motorcycle vehicle fires has increased by about 5%, partly due to higher popularity and increased use of electric bikes

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The risk of vehicle fire in high-density parking areas is about 3 times higher than in open parking lots, due to limited access and ventilation

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The survival rate for passengers in vehicle fires is approximately 93% when evacuation occurs swiftly

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Electric vehicle lithium-ion battery fires can burn longer and more intensely than traditional vehicle fires, requiring specialized fire suppression methods

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Fire suppression efforts can reduce the severity and spread of vehicle fires by up to 60%, when rapid response protocols are implemented

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The average response time of fire services to vehicle fires is about 4-6 minutes, impacting outcomes significantly

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Fire extinguishers are effective in controlling about 70-80% of vehicle fires if used correctly and promptly

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Hybrid and electric vehicle fires are often more complex to extinguish, requiring 50% more fire suppression agents than traditional vehicles

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Fire safety education focusing on electrical faults can reduce vehicle fire incidents by up to 20%, according to recent studies

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Fire departments often use thermal imaging cameras to detect hot spots in vehicle fires, improving firefighting efficiency

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The frequency of vehicle fires has decreased in countries with strict automotive safety standards and effective inspection regimes, such as Germany and Japan

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Fire safety regulations require routine maintenance checks for vehicles, which can prevent up to 30% of potential vehicle fires

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Fire-related injuries from vehicle fires have decreased by 15% with advancements in vehicle safety technology

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The majority of vehicle fires (around 75%) involve passenger cars rather than trucks or buses

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The use of fire-resistant vehicle materials can reduce the spread of fire and damage by approximately 50%, according to manufacturers

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Vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are statistically less likely to be involved in fire-incidents related to driver error

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Key Highlights

In the United States, there are approximately 172,300 vehicle fires annually
Vehicle fires account for about 20% of all reported fires
The leading cause of vehicle fires is mechanical failure or malfunction, responsible for roughly 29% of cases
Electric vehicles have a higher rate of fire incidents per 100,000 vehicles than traditional gasoline-powered cars
Approximately 86% of vehicle fires are ignited by the vehicle's engine or a related mechanical issue
The median cost of a vehicle fire accident is around $10,000, including damage and related costs
Around 138,500 vehicle fires happen each year in parking garages, representing nearly 80% of all vehicle fires in parking structures
Approximately 25% of vehicle fires are caused by intentionally set fires (arson)
Gasoline and other flammable liquids are involved in about 80% of vehicle fires involving chemical ignition
The risk of vehicle fire increases during the summer months, peaking in July and August
Hybrid vehicles have an approximate 3-4 times higher risk of fire compared to conventional vehicles
Most vehicle fires (about 60%) occur within 10 minutes of starting the car, often due to electrical faults
Firefighters respond to a vehicle fire every 2.5 seconds globally, indicating high fire risk and incidence

Did you know that over 172,000 vehicle fires erupt annually across the United States—more than one fire every three minutes—posing a significant safety and financial risk that varies widely depending on vehicle type, age, and location?

Demographics and Trends

The average age of vehicles involved in fires is around 11 years old, indicating older vehicles are more prone to fire hazards

Demographics and Trends Interpretation

The data suggests that as vehicles age past a decade, they seem to burn brighter—implying that old cars, much like vintage wine, may need extra care to avoid igniting more than just nostalgia.

Financial and Economic Impact

The median cost of a vehicle fire accident is around $10,000, including damage and related costs
Losses from vehicle fires in the U.S. amount to over $400 million annually, including property damage and associated costs
In commercial fleet operations, vehicle fires lead to an average downtime of 1 to 2 days, impacting productivity
The economic impact of vehicle fires includes not only damages but also increased insurance premiums, which can rise by 10-15% following a fire incident
Multi-vehicle fires are more hazardous and costly, accounting for about 10% of all vehicle fires but causing disproportionate damage

Financial and Economic Impact Interpretation

With vehicle fires costing around $10,000 per incident and over $400 million annually, it’s clear that these fiery mishaps, often multi-car conflagrations, are a costly wake-up call—burning more than just rubber, they ignite insurance premiums and fleet downtime, underscoring the urgent need for better prevention.

Fire Causes and Incidents

In the United States, there are approximately 172,300 vehicle fires annually
Vehicle fires account for about 20% of all reported fires
The leading cause of vehicle fires is mechanical failure or malfunction, responsible for roughly 29% of cases
Electric vehicles have a higher rate of fire incidents per 100,000 vehicles than traditional gasoline-powered cars
Approximately 86% of vehicle fires are ignited by the vehicle's engine or a related mechanical issue
Around 138,500 vehicle fires happen each year in parking garages, representing nearly 80% of all vehicle fires in parking structures
Approximately 25% of vehicle fires are caused by intentionally set fires (arson)
Gasoline and other flammable liquids are involved in about 80% of vehicle fires involving chemical ignition
The risk of vehicle fire increases during the summer months, peaking in July and August
Hybrid vehicles have an approximate 3-4 times higher risk of fire compared to conventional vehicles
Most vehicle fires (about 60%) occur within 10 minutes of starting the car, often due to electrical faults
Firefighters respond to a vehicle fire every 2.5 seconds globally, indicating high fire risk and incidence
Around 50% of vehicle fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation rather than burns
Road vehicles are the third leading cause of fire-related fatalities in the U.S., after structure fires and drownings
Heavy-duty trucks have a fire incident rate of approximately 60 fires per 1,000 vehicles annually
The rate of vehicle fires is significantly higher in urban areas compared to rural areas, due to higher vehicle density and traffic
Fire departments report increased incidents of vehicle fires caused by electrical system failures after vehicle modifications and repairs
In 2022, gas-powered vehicles accounted for approximately 90% of all vehicle fires, with electric and hybrid vehicles comprising the remaining 10%
The ignition of vehicle cargo (e.g., flammable shipments) contributes to a significant subset of vehicle fires, especially in commercial trucks
Approximately 15% of all vehicle fires involve the engine compartment, often due to coolant leaks or electrical shorts
Vehicle fires are more common in older vehicles, with a higher incidence rate observed in cars over 10 years old
Roughly 20% of vehicle fires are related to collision or crash events, especially when fuel lines are ruptured
About 65% of vehicle fires occur while the vehicle is parked or unattended, often due to mechanical or electrical issues
In the last decade, there has been a 25% decline in vehicle fire incidents attributable to improved vehicle safety standards
The presence of fuel leaks significantly increases the likelihood of vehicle fires, especially in older or poorly maintained vehicles
In 2020, there was an increase of approximately 10% in vehicle fires compared to the previous year, possibly linked to increased vehicle use during the pandemic
Approximately 40% of vehicle fires are caused by electrical wiring issues, highlighting the need for proper maintenance
Roadside vehicle fires often increase due to exposure to dry vegetation and combustible roadside debris, especially in hot and dry climates
In recent years, the number of motorcycle vehicle fires has increased by about 5%, partly due to higher popularity and increased use of electric bikes
The risk of vehicle fire in high-density parking areas is about 3 times higher than in open parking lots, due to limited access and ventilation

Fire Causes and Incidents Interpretation

With nearly 172,300 vehicle fires annually—most igniting within 10 minutes of startup and predominantly caused by mechanical or electrical faults—it's clear that our cars, whether gas or electric, still need a safety upgrade to keep us from playing automotive poker with fire.

Response and Prevention Strategies

The survival rate for passengers in vehicle fires is approximately 93% when evacuation occurs swiftly
Electric vehicle lithium-ion battery fires can burn longer and more intensely than traditional vehicle fires, requiring specialized fire suppression methods
Fire suppression efforts can reduce the severity and spread of vehicle fires by up to 60%, when rapid response protocols are implemented
The average response time of fire services to vehicle fires is about 4-6 minutes, impacting outcomes significantly
Fire extinguishers are effective in controlling about 70-80% of vehicle fires if used correctly and promptly
Hybrid and electric vehicle fires are often more complex to extinguish, requiring 50% more fire suppression agents than traditional vehicles
Fire safety education focusing on electrical faults can reduce vehicle fire incidents by up to 20%, according to recent studies
Fire departments often use thermal imaging cameras to detect hot spots in vehicle fires, improving firefighting efficiency
The frequency of vehicle fires has decreased in countries with strict automotive safety standards and effective inspection regimes, such as Germany and Japan
Fire safety regulations require routine maintenance checks for vehicles, which can prevent up to 30% of potential vehicle fires

Response and Prevention Strategies Interpretation

While a swift evacuation can save 93% of vehicle fire victims and proper firefighting techniques can cut flames by up to 60%, the increasing complexity of electric vehicle fires and the crucial importance of rapid response and safety education underscore that preventing these fiery crises requires both high-tech vigilance and driver awareness.

Vehicle Types and Safety Features

Fire-related injuries from vehicle fires have decreased by 15% with advancements in vehicle safety technology
The majority of vehicle fires (around 75%) involve passenger cars rather than trucks or buses
The use of fire-resistant vehicle materials can reduce the spread of fire and damage by approximately 50%, according to manufacturers
Vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are statistically less likely to be involved in fire-incidents related to driver error

Vehicle Types and Safety Features Interpretation

Thanks to smarter safety tech and fire-resistant materials, vehicle fires are burning out faster, with passenger cars being the main culprits, yet accidents involving driver-assistance systems are proving to be the safest bet on the road.