Tesla Model S and Model X Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: What You Need to Know 

For the past twenty years, Tesla has revolutionized the automobile industry, producing the world’s first mainstream mass-produced electric vehicles and touting them as the safest on the road. However, since the introduction of the Tesla Model S and Model X in 2012, the lithium-ion battery tray that powers their vehicles has repeatedly demonstrated its susceptibly to catch fire when involved in collisions, and sometimes even when the vehicle is not in use. 

There have been more than 20 documented fires in Tesla models since their introduction 8 years ago, resulting in 6 fire-related deaths. Tesla acknowledged this significant risk as a “critical safety issue” and agreed to cover the cost of fires in its warranty, even if it’s “the result of driver error.”  

However, the warranty stipulates that any damage accumulated before a fire or any damage at all (including fire damage) from a collision in which the vehicle is totaled will not be covered, leaving many owners without coverage after a fire started by a collision. This warranty is also only relevant for 8 years (or 125,000 miles) for Model S and Model X Teslas. Those individuals with older Tesla models may be out of luck if their batteries catch fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla battery fires following a defect petition citing “an alarming number of car fires.” 

In spring of 2019, Tesla responded to these concerns by offering a software update that would reportedly aid in thermal management. The company stated they were taking this step out of an “abundance of caution.”  

Although McCune Law Group is no longer pursuing any legal action on this matter, we aim to keep affected Tesla owners informed and up to date with the latest resources. 

Timeline of Tesla Battery Fires

There have been instances of Tesla-related spontaneous car fires around the world for years. The known Tesla fire incidents leading up to the NHTSA investigation included: 

• March 10, 2021:  In Irvine, California, a man was tragically killed when his Tesla struck a tree and caught fire.
• Feb. 12, 2020: In Cerritos, California, a Tesla charging in a garage caught fire, sending a child to the hospital.
• June 1, 2019: In Antwerp, Belgium, a Model S caught fire while charging. To douse the flames, firefighters had to drop the car in a tank of water and leave it submerged overnight.
• May 3, 2019: In San Francisco, California, a Model S parked in a residential garage caught fire, filling the garage with smoke. The car was not plugged in at the time.
• May 13, 2019: In Hong Kong, China, a Model S parked in a public garage caught fire. (As a result, Tesla issued an Over-the-Air (OTA) update to the model’s thermal management system.) 
• April 21, 2019: In Shanghai, China, a Model S parked in a public parking garage emitted white smoke before being enveloped in flames that destroyed the Model S and the Audi beside it. The car was not running or plugged in. 
• April 17, 2019: In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a Model X with a history of overheating “suddenly erupted into flames and burned for several hours.” 
• Feb. 18, 2019: In Fremont, California, a Tesla Model X caught fire after a high-speed crash. Firefighters extinguished the battery fire.
• Dec. 21, 2018: In San Francisco, California, a Model S in a mechanic’s garage burst into flames twice.
• Dec. 18, 2018: In Los Gatos, California, a Tesla Model S caught fire while sitting in a parking lot. Hours later, the vehicle reignited while in a tow yard, the local NBC affiliate reported.
• June 15, 2018: In Los Angeles, California, “West Wing” actor Mary McCormack tweeted about her husband’s Model S catching fire “out of the blue, in traffic on Santa Monica Blvd.”
• May 8, 2018: In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a Tesla Model S crashed and became engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire using 200–300 gallons of water and foam. Two teenagers died in the crash.
• June 15, 2018: In West Hollywood, California, a 2014 Tesla Model S spontaneously began smoking on a road before catching fire, according to the NTSB.
• March 23, 2018: In Mountain View, California, a 2017 Tesla Model X caught fire after a crash. The battery reignited five days later.
• Aug. 25, 2017: In Lake Forest, California, a Tesla caught fire after the driver crashed into a garage. The incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
• Nov. 2013: In Smyrna, Tennessee, a Tesla Model S caught fire after the driver ran over a tow hitch, which hit the car’s undercarriage and battery.
• Oct. 2013: Near Seattle, Washington, a Tesla Model S caught fire after a metal object on the road punctured its battery pack. 
   

What Can Affected Individuals Do?  

Though McCune Law Group is no longer pursuing cases related to this matter, you still have options. If you or a loved one has been affected by a Tesla battery fire, you may:  

• Check for Up-to-Date Recalls: Visit the NHSTA recall database to see if your vehicle is eligible for any further repairs, following the software update offered in 2019.
• Contact Tesla Customer Support: If your vehicle is experiencing any issues – battery related or not – you should report it immediately to Tesla for help with repair costs.
• Explore Other Legal Avenues: If you’ve experienced financial hardship or injury due to a vehicle defect, you may still qualify for legal action. Explore our class action cases page for more details.  

Related Cases and Legal Areas  

If you have been negatively impacted by an automotive defect of any kind, we recommend exploring the following practice areas: 

• Vehicle Defects: If a vehicle’s design or manufacturing causes an issue that leads to injury, the manufacturer and/or retailer may be held accountable for those injuries.
• Product Liability: Defective vehicle components, such as malfunctioning software or batteries, fall under the category of product liability.
• Class Action Lawsuits: When numerous consumers are affected by the same issue, they may form a class and bring a joint suit against a negligent company.

Need Legal Assistance?  

If you are dealing with another vehicle defect or class action related matter, our experienced class action attorneys are here to help. Get in touch with our class action team to explore your legal options.   

For general inquiries, you can reach us at (909) 345-8110 or via our online form.

Final Note  

This page is no longer accepting new cases related to the lithium-ion battery fires in certain Tesla models. It remains live as an informational resource to serve affected owners.  

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