I am subscribed to several different alerts for highways around here in PA and it seems like the incidents of car fires have exploded over the past couple of years, it seems every week I’m hearing about some car fire on the highway.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there something that is going on that is causing this? I don’t think it’s anything to do with EV’s either, I think it’s just regular gas powered cars that are somehow catching on fire more now than ever.

Are people not keeping up with maintenance on these increasingly sophisticated cars?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I am subscribed to several different alerts for highways around here in PA and it seems like the incidents of car fires have exploded over the past couple of years, it seems every week I’m hearing about some car fire on the highway.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there something that is going on that is causing this? I don’t think it’s anything to do with EV’s either, I think it’s just regular gas powered cars that are somehow catching on fire more now than ever.

Are people not keeping up with maintenance on these increasingly sophisticated cars?

I probably see more than a lot of folks. I live right off of i-30 here in East Texas. Most of the places I go require the bulk of my travel to be on I-30.
I see LOTS of vehicle fires.

hoopties (and some late model vehicles) that just seem to spontaneously combust.

hay trailers that catch a flicked cigarette butt

big truck (and little trucks) that let a wheel bearing heat weld itself into a grease fire.

bad hydraulic and high powered stereo installs with poorly installed batteries.

It's a fairly common occurrence around here in the summertime. I figured it was related to overheating getting out of hand.

I haven't noticed anything more than normal in my area.

I have noticed a lot more traffic so I guess the number of car fires would also be up.

Normal in my area - Lot of them end up being steam from coolant leaks / hoses - Very few EV fires

Sure see a lot of burn spots on I-15 between Barstow and Vegas, I'm sure the high temps have a lot to do with it.

I used to live near a road that had so many car-b-ques I started thinking there were IEDs on it.

Maybe the newsbeings have tracking info suggesting news of car fires gathers more clicks than other types of reporting?

Maybe people accessorizing their vehicles with all kinds of aftermarket tech and lighting?

Between Bubba, Sinojunk, and often sensitive circuits, that alone is frying fuses and motherboards. Just watch some "Just Rolled In" videos on YT to see the idiocy inflicted on cars.

When I lived in the northeast (10+ years ago) it was a pretty rare occurrence. Living in Arizona now, super common. I think the incidence overall has definitely increased.
My personal opinion is it is a combination of factors, high desert temps, and the increased amount and complexity of vehicle electrical systems.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
My personal opinion is it is a combination of factors, high desert temps, and the increased amount and complexity of vehicle electrical systems.

I think it’s this plus the average age of the cars on the road is at an all time high.

Key Figures (as of 2024/2025):
Overall Average: 12.8 years
Passenger Cars: 14.5 years
Light Trucks (SUVs, Vans, Pickups): 11.9 years.

Don't forget the devices people bring with them and keep in their cars. Just saw a vid of a gal whose vape pen caught fire and consequently burned her car down to the frame on the roadside.

Another possible culprit: cell phones and their batteries are pretty well tested, but if that battery gets punctured it ain't great.

Saw a photograph on the internet this morning of a car engulfed in flames on a state route near Portland, OR. No model of the car was attached to the photo.

I’ve worked many vehicle fires over the years, but they weren’t common. You would think most are accident related, but that wasn’t my experience.

I probably still have some old photographs of my unit blocking the interstate at the scene of a class A RV fire. It was fully engulfed, and I seem to remember it started in the engine bay.

Also, I’m always pointing out vehicle fire craters on the highway as we pass to my wife. Crazy how cement can get so damaged.

Being in the car stereo business I can say that I am astounded at how few car fires I see. DIYers with no concept of how to run wires in cars or how to properly use a fuse. And there has been a rise in the use of aluminum wire due to the rising cost of copper, which adds to the fire risk.

Former State Cop here. I was assigned to a Barracks on Interstate 81 just south of Binghamton NY on the PA side. We had a Loooonnnggg (10 mile) Hill to pull as you headed north, steady uphill grade. For whatever reason. Joe Hoopty driving his bailing wire and spit repaired car would attempt that hill and invariably spontaneously combust some where just south of the crest of that long pull. I am not saying the lack of maintenance and service were the prime reason for the inglorious demise of their knackered steed but given the incandescent destruction which occurred just short of the apogee of the stretch of Highway, It might be a thing. as always YMMV.