Millions of Cars Recalled Over Danger of Bursting Into Flames. But They're Not EVs.
The Washington Post shares this tip for car buyers. Electric vehicles "are not driving the recent growth in recalls warning that vehicles could erupt into flames at any time, even when parked and turned off." A Washington Post analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall notices found that conventional gas and diesel vehicles made up the vast majority of vehicles…
Electric vehicles are not the primary driver behind a surge in vehicle recalls warning that cars could burst into flames, even when parked and turned off. Conventional gas and diesel vehicles made up the majority of those affected by "park outside" recalls since 2021. A Washington Post analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data found an estimated 3.4 million vehicles currently have outstanding recalls of this kind.
Safety experts blame the surge on growing electronic systems and component numbers in modern vehicles, leading to issues like overheating circuits. Kia recalled 463,000 Tellurides due to a risk of the front power-seat switch causing seats to ignite. Ford and Lincoln recalled over 66,000 Expeditions and Navigators due to circuit boards in battery junction boxes that could short out, resulting in at least 16 fires.
NHTSA has issued 93 "park outside" recalls since 2021, with nearly half covering vehicles with internal-combustion engines alone. The recalls involved a combined 4.6 million gas-only vehicles over the past five years, compared to about 662,000 electric or hybrid vehicles.
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