Most “Park Outside” Warnings Involve Vehicles With Internal Combustion Engines

There are currently 3.2 million vehicles in the US carrying a "park outside" recall warning, which tells owners to keep the car away from homes and other buildings because of fire risk. Most people assume this is an electric vehicle problem, but the opposite is true. Federal recall data reviewed by the Washington Post shows gas and diesel vehicles account for the vast majority of these warnings. Since 2021, gas-only recalls have covered 4.6 million vehicles, compared to about 662,000 for EVs and hybrids combined.

The cause usually isn't a battery. It's "always on" electronics — things like seat-heater switches, power steering wiring, starter relays, and control modules — that stay powered even after the engine is off and the car is parked. Recent examples include Kia Tellurides with a front seat switch that could overheat, and Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators with battery junction box circuit boards that could short out. In 2023, Hyundai and Kia recalled a combined 3.4 million vehicles, mostly gas models, after finding their anti-lock brake systems could leak fluid and spark an electrical fire even while parked.

For context, gas-powered cars catch fire at a far higher rate than EVs — roughly 1,500 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold, versus about 25 per 100,000 for EVs. If you own a car with a "park outside" recall, the notice would have come from the manufacturer or NHTSA directly, regardless of whether your vehicle runs on gas or electricity.