When the Model 3 owner went outside to check his car, it was engulfed in smoke. He then opened the back door to try to understand what was going on and saw “a wall of flames” inside the vehicle, which melted the car seat of his 4-month baby. Fortunately, no one was inside the Model 3. The California City Fire Department managed to kill the fire.
Ruiz told the source that his car was insured by Tesla, but that he could not contact anyone until May 16. When the company sent him a Tesla Road Assistance vehicle to collect his burned EV, the representative said he could not transport it because the ashes would go everywhere on the freeway. The Tesla customer will only get a new car in October and is now using a rental.
The second fire happened on May 20 in Vancouver. According to CTV News, Jamil Jutha was driving toward Mountain Highway at around 10 AM when his eight-month EV shut down, and all electronic components stopped working, including the doors and windows. That was when smoke started to come out from the air vents. Jutha kicked the window and managed to escape.
Although the car has a manual release, the Model Y owner said it is not “entirely intuitive” and that he just wanted to escape the car. Now that his car is a write-off, he has to look for a replacement, but decided not to buy another Tesla. CTV News tried to contact the company, but did not hear back. The EV will be examined by fire investigators on May 24 to determine the blaze's cause.
The third event happened at a Tesla Service Center in Coral Gables on May 22. A short video was apparently posted on a Facebook group by Jose Velazquez. We can see in the images several other Tesla vehicles parked next to the Model S in flames. We will try to find more information about that.
The fourth case happened in New Jersey, and it was fatal (the image above is from the first case). We have not counted it because it is not clear if the driver died because of the crash or due to the fire. According to Daily Voice, Daniel Sincavage was driving his Model S northbound on Route 47 on May 19 when he lost control, went off the highway, and struck some trees. A 40-year-old passenger managed to escape with minor injuries. We also need more information on this crash. Although the fire can be credited to the wreck, it is also essential to determine why the EV burst into flames.
Ton Arts (tweet below) has been documenting Tesla fires all over the world. In his lists, we have had 300 so far. Arts is also a fierce critic of Autopilot and FSD and tries to keep track of all accidents involving the driving aid systems from Tesla. Regarding the fires, the high number shows the EV maker should address these concerns as fast as possible. The fact that at least three are so recent also puts more focus on what Ijaz stressed. Not only for Tesla but also for all companies that are now following its recipe for electric cars.
#TeslaFireIssues example no. 300 (and we'll call it a day for now)
— Ton Aarts (@ton_aarts) May 20, 2022
2020 Tesla Model S
$100,-
(You get paid a $100,- if you take it .. )https://t.co/g2K1GYvtkz pic.twitter.com/kBXphIHrYG
Is there a new update that just went out? Why am I starting to see more of these random fires. pic.twitter.com/b87t8qWT22
— Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) May 23, 2022
Update: driver kicked out the window, not the construction workers. Car is a write off - shocker https://t.co/J5EoRtSsDh
— Mjarchie (@Mjarchie1) May 21, 2022
WATCH: Ediel Ruiz and his partner were visiting family in California City on Saturday when his Tesla caught fire. Ruiz says the fire started directly under his four-month-old’s car seat. No one was in the car, he says.
— Savannah Welch (@svnnh_wlch) May 19, 2022
Full story tonight at 10/11 on @bakersfieldnow pic.twitter.com/SEgMSf5Qb6