Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
Skip to content
CarCodyAdvertise
Service recordThe Garage

Can a Tesla Explode? Fire Risks and What to Do

A Tesla fire is not necessarily an explosion, but a damaged high-voltage battery can create shock, gas, fire, and reignition hazards. Here’s what to do and how to interpret Tesla’s fire-rate figure.
Entry776 Date Time2 min MechanicCarCody Team

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

“Exploding” is often a lay description of a severe vehicle fire or battery event, not a technical description of every Tesla fire. A damaged high-voltage battery can present serious hazards: electric shock, toxic or flammable gases, and fire that may reignite. If a fire or other emergency occurs, move away and call 911; do not approach the vehicle or try to handle its battery.

What “exploding” can mean in an EV fire

A lithium-ion battery fire may involve more than visible flames. In a damaged battery, cells can undergo thermal runaway—an uncontrolled rise in temperature and pressure—which can lead to fire and reignition. High-voltage components and residual energy in a damaged battery can also create shock hazards. NHTSA warns that battery-related hazards can be immediate or delayed, and the NTSB describes these risks for emergency responders. That does not mean every EV fire behaves the same way or that every fire involves an explosion.

The NTSB’s Safety Report SR-20-01 examined four electric-vehicle fire cases: three after crashes and one without a crash. Those cases help explain hazards such as high voltage and reignition; they do not establish the odds of a Tesla catching fire.

What to do if a Tesla or another EV catches fire

  1. Move away from the vehicle. Keep clear of smoke, flames, and exposed components. Do not touch or approach damaged high-voltage equipment.
  2. Call emergency services. NHTSA says, “If an emergency such as a fire occurs, contact 911 immediately.” Do not treat a household extinguisher or an improvised method as a substitute for emergency response.
  3. Follow responders’ instructions. Do not try to open, puncture, disconnect, repair, or extinguish the traction battery yourself.

These are emergency precautions, not a consumer firefighting procedure. Fire response and vehicle handling should be left to emergency personnel.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket, Kitchen & Home, 39 x 39 in, 2 Pack
  • PREPARED HERO EMERGENCY FIRE BLANKET: Extinguish small fires quickly and easily with no mess (unlike common fire extinguishers). Simply deploy the blanket by pulling down the tabs.
  • PREPARED HERO PEACE OF MIND: Peace of mind for when fire happens from the brand you trust. Keep the Fire Blanket in the kitchen, backyard, vehicle or take it camping. It has a hole slot so it can also be easily hung on walls.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT FIRE SUPPRESSION BLANKET: Effective on liquid or grease fires. It Works in different types of fire as well. They can also be used as a thermal or heat shield. A must have in your kitchen, backyard and vehicle survival kit for protection.
  • NO MESS IN KITCHEN: Made from 100% quality flame retardant material. They conform to CE safety standards (EN 1896:1997). Composed of two layers of woven fiberglass fabric and an inner layer of fire retardant film. They can isolate high temperatures up to 1022°F (550℃).
  • DOES NOT EXPIRE: Unlike traditional extinguishers, the fire blanket never expires. That means unlike traditional fire extinguishers, it doesn’t need to be replaced.

If the battery may be damaged but there is no active fire

After a crash or other incident, battery damage may not be obvious. If damage is suspected, NHTSA advises contacting the dealer immediately. It also says not to park a damaged lithium-ion vehicle within 50 feet of a house, other structure, vehicle, or combustible material. Follow local emergency-service direction about where the vehicle should be kept and how it should be handled.

How often do Tesla fires happen?

Tesla’s Vehicle Fire Data page, accessed in 2026, reports that its global data recorded approximately one Tesla vehicle fire event per 140 million miles traveled from 2012 through 2024. This is a manufacturer-reported figure, not an independent finding. Tesla says its data draws on sources including telemetry, customer service, and media; reports may arrive months after an event; and the total can include fires caused by external factors such as structure fires, wildfires, and arson.

Rank #2
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket, Kitchen & Home, 39 x 39 in, 4 Pack
  • PREPARED HERO EMERGENCY FIRE BLANKET: Extinguish small fires quickly and easily with no mess (unlike common fire extinguishers). Simply deploy the blanket by pulling down the tabs.
  • PREPARED HERO PEACE OF MIND: Peace of mind for when fire happens from the brand you trust. Keep the Fire Blanket in the kitchen, backyard, vehicle or take it camping. It has a hole slot so it can also be easily hung on walls.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT FIRE SUPPRESSION BLANKET: Effective on liquid or grease fires. It Works in different types of fire as well. They can also be used as a thermal or heat shield. A must have in your kitchen, backyard and vehicle survival kit for protection.
  • NO MESS IN KITCHEN: Made from 100% quality flame retardant material. They conform to CE safety standards (EN 1896:1997). Composed of two layers of woven fiberglass fabric and an inner layer of fire retardant film. They can isolate high temperatures up to 1022°F (550℃).
  • DOES NOT EXPIRE: Unlike traditional extinguishers, the fire blanket never expires. That means unlike traditional fire extinguishers, it doesn’t need to be replaced.

The figure is not a direct measure of an individual owner’s chance of a fire, and it does not by itself show that Tesla vehicles are safer or less safe than other vehicles. A fair comparison would need matching geography and years, a consistent definition of a fire event and mileage denominator, the same treatment of external fire causes, and comparable data collection. The available information does not establish a harmonized independent comparison.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Where responders can find Tesla-specific information

Emergency responders can consult NHTSA’s Emergency Response Guides, which hosts manufacturer-submitted vehicle-specific materials, and Tesla’s first-responder information, which lists model-specific guides and rescue sheets. These are responder references—not instructions for owners to perform rescue, towing, or battery work.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Fire Blanket for Home and Kitchen,40" x 40",2 Pack,Emergency Fire Blanket
  • 【100% PREMIUM FIBERGLASS】: Each 0.5 mm thick and 500 g, this fire blanket is tough and durable, resisting burn-through and withstanding heat up to 1076°F(580℃). Made to meet CE safety standard (EN 1869:2019) for reliable protection.
  • 【NO EXPIRATION, NEVER NEEDS REPLACING (40"" x 40"", 2 ‑PACK)】: Fire suppression blanket never expires stays on standby, ready whenever you need it. Most safety gear gets packed away and forgotten ; people rarely check the expiration date until a crisis hits. Unlike a fire extinguisher for home, this fireproof blanket won't let you down the moment it matters most. A dependable survival item to your emergency kit and emergency supplies.
  • 【LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT, EASY FOR ANYONE TO HANDLE】: Portable emergency safety tool fitted with a hanging hook for flexible, out-of-the-way storage in a cabinet, the car, or beside the grill. At under 2 lbs, seniors and users with limited strength can deploy it easily . After use no dust or powder is left behind, so there's no messy cleanup.
  • 【A THOUGHTFUL GIFT】: Many young adults overlook basic proof safety preparedness. This practical product delivers genuine peace of mind. A caring present from parents to their children, it's perfect for housewarmings and Christmas, or for friends settling into a new apartment — A practical addition to house safety must haves and new home essentials.
  • 【Highly Efficient】: Emergency fire blankets for home and kitchen quickly help smother open flames and cut off the oxygen supply in the first critical moments, stopping the fire from spreading and helping limit property damage. This kitchen fireblanket is ideal for the stovetop cooking, fireplace, backyard, garage, rv, schools, offices, dorms, outdoor, nursing home,restaurant,and camping.
Rank #4
Fire Blanket for Home and Kitchen,40" x 40",4 Pack,Emergency Fire Blanket
  • 【100% PREMIUM FIBERGLASS】: Each 0.5 mm thick and 500 g, this fire blanket is tough and durable, resisting burn-through and withstanding heat up to 1076°F(580℃). Made to meet CE safety standard (EN 1869:2019) for reliable protection.
  • 【NO EXPIRATION, NEVER NEEDS REPLACING (40"" x 40"", 4 ‑PACK)】: Fire suppression blanket never expires stays on standby, ready whenever you need it. Most safety gear gets packed away and forgotten ; people rarely check the expiration date until a crisis hits. Unlike a fire extinguisher for home, this fireproof blanket won't let you down the moment it matters most. A dependable survival item to your emergency kit and emergency supplies.
  • 【LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT】: EASY FOR ANYONE TO HANDLE: Portable emergency safety tool fitted with a hanging hook for flexible, out-of-the-way storage in a cabinet, the car, or beside the grill. At under 2 lbs, seniors and users with limited strength can deploy it easily . After use no dust or powder is left behind, so there's no messy cleanup.
  • 【A THOUGHTFUL GIFT】: Many young adults overlook basic proof safety preparedness. This practical product delivers genuine peace of mind. A caring present from parents to their children, it's perfect for housewarmings and Christmas, or for friends settling into a new apartment — A practical addition to house safety must haves and new home essentials.
  • 【Highly Efficient】: Emergency fire blankets for home and kitchen quickly help smother open flames and cut off the oxygen supply in the first critical moments, stopping the fire from spreading and helping limit property damage. This kitchen fireblanket is ideal for the stovetop cooking, fireplace, backyard, garage, rv, schools, offices, dorms, outdoor, nursing home,restaurant,and camping.
Rank #3
Car Fire Blanket 20x24 FT, Basalt Fiber Vehicle Fire Blanket for EVs & Cars
  • 【Vehicle Fire Containment for EVs & Cars】 Designed to help isolate fires involving electric, hybrid, and gasoline-powered vehicles. This large car fire blanket helps contain flames, radiant heat, and smoke while limiting exposure to nearby vehicles, equipment, and surrounding property.
  • 【Heavy-Duty Basalt Fiber Construction】 Made from durable heat-resistant basalt fiber fabric for demanding vehicle fire containment applications. The dense woven material creates a substantial thermal barrier and provides reliable protection in high-temperature emergency environments.
  • 【Extra-Large 20 x 24 FT Coverage】 Measuring 20 FT × 24 FT, this large fire blanket provides generous coverage for passenger cars, electric vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and other common vehicles, helping create a more complete containment area around the affected vehicle.
  • 【Designed for Emergency Deployment】 The oversized flexible blanket can be positioned over and around an affected vehicle to help isolate the fire area and reduce the spread of flames and heat. Designed for coordinated deployment by trained personnel during vehicle fire emergencies.
  • 【Professional Fire Safety Applications】 Ideal for EV charging stations, parking garages, automotive repair shops, dealerships, towing yards, fleet facilities, warehouses, workshops, and other vehicle-dense locations where emergency fire preparedness is important.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Garage

  1. Entry001Date05 OCT 26Time3 minHow to Check Tire Tread: 3 Simple MethodsSection: Blog
  2. Entry002Date04 OCT 26Time3 minHow to Look Up Vehicle Recalls by VINSection: Blog
  3. Entry003Date09 OCT 26Time3 minWhich Brake Pad Should You Buy From RockAuto or Elsewhere?Section: Blog

Thanks for visiting Carcody

Carcody.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.