How Many Car Fires Per Year? Trend Chart (2025)

Tracking Over Four Decades of How Many Cars Catch Fire Every Year Data

In 1980, the United States saw a startling number of 456,000 reported vehicle fires. This number initially remained relatively stable, with slight variations throughout the 1980s, reaching up to 459,000 in 1988. These figures reflect an era when vehicle safety technology was still in the early stages of incorporating fire prevention measures.

The Shift in the 1990s and 2000s

In the 1990s, the number of how many car fires per year started to drop. The numbers fell a lot from the start to the end of the decade. This decrease continued into the 2000s, probably because cars got safer and people became more aware of the risks - such as burn injuries - and the importance of overall vehicle safety.

A Sustained Decrease of Car Fires per Year into the 21st Century

In the early 21st century, the number of car fires per year significantly decreased. By the start of the century, car fires were notably fewer, and this downward trend continued over the years. By the middle of the decade, the number of fires had dropped substantially, and by the end of the decade, they had nearly halved compared to twenty years earlier.

Recent Years: A Continued Emphasis on Safety

Despite fluctuations, the downward trend is evident in more recent years, signaling advancements in automotive safety and response. 2016 through 2021 shows a relative stabilization, with numbers hovering around the 170,000 to 180,000 mark, except for a slight increase to 189,500 in 2019. This stabilization suggests that efforts to improve vehicle fire safety are having a sustained impact.

In Conclusion

Looking back over forty years, we can see a lot of improvement in reducing how many cars catch fire every year on American roads. Still, the fact that these fires - along with thousands of car accidents - keep happening reminds us that we need to keep improving vehicle safety It's not just about lowering the number of fires - it's about making sure everyone on the road is safe and minimizing the financial fallout, including property damage liability.