Sudden Vehicle Fires: It Shouldn’t Burn That Fast

Did your car catch fire after a minor accident, or for no reason at all?

We are often told that cars catch fire because of high-speed crashes. But at Nigh Goldenberg, we are investigating a different, more terrifying reality: vehicles that catch fire due to cheap manufacturing and hidden defects—often when the car is moving slowly or even parked.

If a loved one was injured or killed because a fire spread too quickly for them to escape, it wasn’t just a “freak accident.” It was likely a defect.

The Firewall Myth: Why Modern Cars Burn So Fast

The firewall is the barrier between the engine (where most fires start) and the passenger cabin (where you are sitting). It is supposed to give you time to escape.

The Defect: In many modern vehicles, manufacturers have replaced solid metal firewalls with plastic components or left gaping holes for wiring and ventilation.

• Plastic “Shields”: Instead of steel, some manufacturers use plastic plugs or thin composite materials to seal holes in the firewall.
• The Result: In an engine fire, these plastic parts melt in minutes—or even seconds. Once the fire breaches that wall, toxic smoke and flames pour directly onto the driver’s legs and face, cutting off any chance of escape.

3 Hidden Fire Defects We Investigate

Our legal partners have identified specific “propagation defects” that allow small fires to become fatal infernos instantly.

1. The Cabin Air Vent Defect

Many trucks and SUVs have “pressure relief vents” located behind the rear seats or in the back of the cab.

• The Danger: These vents often lack proper fireproofing. If a fire starts near the fuel tank or under the bed, the flames can get sucked directly through these vents and into the cabin.
• The Outcome: Occupants may be overcome by smoke from the rear of the vehicle before they even realize the car is on fire.

2. Fuel Tank Shielding Failures

Fuel tanks are often located dangerously close to the rear axle or exhaust system.

• The Danger: To save as little as $20 per vehicle, some manufacturers skip installing a robust shield around the fuel tank.
• The Outcome: In a minor rear-end crash or even from road debris, the unshielded tank can be punctured. The leaking fuel ignites on the hot exhaust, engulfing the car in flames immediately.

3. Electrical & “Parked Car” Fires

Vehicles should not catch fire when they are turned off.

• The Defect: We see cases where faulty wiring harnesses or defective ABS modules stay “hot” even when the key is out.
• The Outcome: A car parked in a garage can spontaneously ignite, burning down the entire house while the family sleeps.

Every Vehicle Fire Deserves an Investigation

Insurance companies often try to blame vehicle fires on “poor maintenance” or “old age.” Do not accept this.

A vehicle—new or old—is designed to contain flammable fluids and electricity safely. If it fails to do so, it is defective. Whether the fire happened after a minor fender bender or while the car was idling in a driveway, you may have a claim.

Immediate Action Required

Fire destroys evidence. Once a car is burned, insurance companies are eager to scrap it, destroying the proof of the plastic firewall or missing shield.

We must act fast to preserve what is left.

We work with specialized fire origin experts who can look at the “burn pattern” to prove exactly where the defect started—but only if we can get to the car before it is crushed.

Contact Us Today

If you or a family member suffered burn injuries or smoke inhalation in a vehicle fire, contact Nigh Goldenberg immediately. We will secure the vehicle and investigate the manufacturing defects that caused the blaze.