Component
FIRERELATED
149 NHTSA complaints about firerelated issues across 24 makes and 78 models.
The firerelated is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 149 filings from 24 manufacturers and 78 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 9 crashes, 143 fires, 26 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the KIA SORENTO with 12 filings, followed by HYUNDAI SONATA and FORD ESCAPE. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KIA SORENTO | 12 |
| 2 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 9 |
| 3 | FORD ESCAPE | 9 |
| 4 | FORD F-150 | 6 |
| 5 | KIA OPTIMA | 5 |
| 6 | KIA SPORTAGE | 4 |
| 7 | KIA SOUL | 4 |
| 8 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 4 |
| 9 | FORD F-250 | 4 |
| 10 | FORD EXPEDITION | 4 |
| 11 | TOYOTA RAV4 | 3 |
| 12 | KIA FORTE | 3 |
| 13 | FORD FUSION | 3 |
| 14 | FORD EXPLORER | 3 |
| 15 | TESLA MODEL 3 | 2 |
| 16 | LINCOLN MKZ | 2 |
| 17 | KIA SELTOS | 2 |
| 18 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 2 |
| 19 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 2 |
| 20 | HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT | 2 |
| 21 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 2 |
| 22 | HYUNDAI ACCENT | 2 |
| 23 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 2 |
| 24 | FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA | 2 |
| 25 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 2 |
| 26 | BMW X3 | 2 |
| 27 | VOLVO XC90 | 1 |
| 28 | VOLVO VN | 1 |
| 29 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 1 |
| 30 | SUBARU OUTBACK | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he smelled a burning odor, but assumed it was coming from outside. Two minutes later, smoke filled the cabin. No
The contact owns a 2024 Kia EV9. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The contact pressed the recirculate air button, but the bu
The contact owned a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a private road, but turned on, a fuel odor was detected inside the cabin. No warning light was illumin
Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Optima, which experienced an engine fire directly related to the defects identified in Kia Safety Recalls SC147, SC200, and SC201.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 40 MPH an abnormal burning smell entered the cabin and no warning lights were illuminated shortly afterwor
The contact owned a 2018 Acura TLX. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The
The contact owned a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that around 5AM, when parked on the driveway the day before in the evening, the contact's wife heard abnormal noise from a window and discove
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway for over three hours before the vehicle caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown, howev
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.